Marjon launches new child health programme with NHS

Released: 15.11.22

Plymouth Marjon University has launched a programme in partnership with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The programme supports children and young people to tackle excessive weight.

The programme, led by Senior Lecturer Erica Eaton-Quinn and Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Mike Prynn, will offer a range of fun physical activities to children and young people, with the key aim of showing that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can be enjoyable.

The programme will prioritise enjoyment, foster social connections, enhance feelings of autonomy and control over their health and wellbeing, and train the young people to internalise motivation for physical activity.

Saul Bloxham, Dean of the School of Health and Wellbeing at Marjon, said: 

“This innovative partnership is really exciting and an excellent example of interprofessional working. The links between Marjon Health and Wellbeing and the NHS have grown from strength to strength. This is a crucial relationship for Plymouth to support improvement in health and wellbeing across the city and reduce pressures on the NHS. We hope this programme will help children and young people to develop their confidence and find enjoyment in physical activity.”

The Government reported that in 2020/21, nearly 30% of children in England aged 4-5 were overweight or obese, and over 40% of 10 and 11-year-olds were overweight or obese. Marjon and NHS Plymouth’s new partnership aims to reduce these figures to support healthy lifestyles for families in the city.

The sessions will take place at the Marjon Sport & Health Centre and families need to be referred through the Hospital’s multi-disciplinary team. Sessions will be delivered with the support of Marjon students from the Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and Sport Science degree programmes.

Building on its burgeoning reputation for sport, health, and wellbeing, 2023 will see Marjon launch 12 new health programmes including nursing and clinical science degrees. In June 2022, the NHS reported more than 132,000 roles were vacant, 46,000 of which were nursing posts.

If you are interested in studying a health or wellbeing course, see what Marjon can offer you here, or see our latest prospectus here.