UPDATED 4th July 2025.

HENRY’s Healthy Families: Right from the Start programme had its most successful year yet, with a record number of parents completing the 8-week programme in 2015-2016. A total of 1,857 parents participated, bringing the total number of families supported by the programme to over 8,000 since its inception nine years ago.

The programme, which focuses on empowering parents to adopt healthier lifestyles for their families, reported significant positive outcomes, highlighting the ongoing impact of HENRY’s work in promoting healthier futures for children.

Programme Outcomes (2015–2016)

• 80% of parents completed the programme.
• 92% of parents were leading a healthy lifestyle by the end of the programme, compared to only 22% at the start.
• 30% average increase in fruit and vegetable consumption in children.
• 31% decrease in children's consumption of food high in sugar or fat.
• 43% of children were eating fruit and vegetables at recommended levels after the programme.
• 97% of parents rated the programme as "good" or "great."
• 88% of parents would "definitely" recommend the HENRY programme to others.

These results were echoed in an independent academic study published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed journal Public Health, validating the impact of the programme on families' health and well-being.

What Parents Are Saying

Parents who participated in the programme shared heart-warming feedback, describing the transformative impact on their lives and their children’s health:

“Life changing – healthier snacks, better meal planning, feeling more calm in myself, a million times better in my son’s wellbeing, very nurtured.”

“I have made lots of changes: using reward chart opposed to sweets, encouraging my children by using a positive soft tone of voice and praising them often, eating as a family, more active play and different activities set out on a daily basis for children.”

“Happier children, happier parents, better eating, more positive attitudes towards each other.”

“We have become consciously more active and reduced TV time. We have increased our portions of fruit and veg and reduced sugar in our diets. I have tried to empathise more with my children’s feelings.”

“HENRY changed the way I looked at parenting and I have made many positive changes.”

“A lot more confident mum to my children, I actually feel like a proper mum now with fair boundaries.”

“I will be using the HENRY tool kit on a daily basis and I will be leading a healthy lifestyle for my family. I will miss the facilitators, they gave me encouragement to lead a healthy lifestyle for my whole family.”

“We are happy but new in the country. We are now getting used to the system here and this programme has been a great support to me. [The facilitators] are both fantastic, professional and more than that they are very nice human beings. Thank you for your support and help.”

"Helped me a lot as a parent, helping me for the future and to give my child the best chance and start in life.”

“The programme works well. The tools given to use are very good. My little girl loves reading the HENRY books.”

“It covered all areas of parenting. I feel a lot more confident now and meal times are no longer a chore. I am enjoying time with my child so much more.”

“I give more fruit and veg now than before. I have cut down massively on junk foods and am more organised than I was.”

Looking Ahead

The HENRY programme continues to support families across the UK, helping them lead healthier, happier lives. Through practical tools and a supportive approach, parents are empowered to make lasting changes that benefit both their children’s health and their own well-being.

For more information on HENRY’s Healthy Families: Right from the Start programme, visit our programme page or explore our training and workshops to find out how you can get involved.

Further Reading & Resources

• HENRY’s Healthy Families Programme
  Discover more about HENRY’s flagship Healthy Families: Right from the Start programme and its impact on families across the UK: HENRY Healthy Families Programme
• Public Health Journal - Independent Study on HENRY
  Review the independent academic study validating the programme's outcomes, published in the peer-reviewed Public Health journal: Public Health Journal
• NHS Guide on Healthy Lifestyles for Families
  Get practical tips from the NHS on creating healthier lifestyles for families, covering balanced diets, exercise, and mental well-being: NHS Healthy Lifestyles
• Parent and Carer Training and Workshops
  Find out how you can get involved through HENRY’s training and workshops, designed to empower parents and carers with tools for healthier living: HENRY Training and Workshops
• Supporting Family Health Outcomes - Obesity Health Alliance
  Explore the work of the Obesity Health Alliance, where HENRY collaborates with over 40 organisations to improve public health and reduce childhood obesity: Obesity Health Alliance

Want to get involved or find out more?

If you’d like to learn more about our programmes and services, explore partnership opportunities, or support our work to give more children a healthier start in life, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our contact page to get in touch with the team.