The HENRY approach

Our Holistic, Family-Centred Approach

The HENRY approach is at the heart of everything we do. It is a unique, evidence-based way of working that partners with families to make lasting, healthy changes, without judgement and with the understanding that every family is different.

Our approach builds on parents' and carers' strengths, helping them to set their own goals and strategies for a healthier family life. By focusing on partnership, empathy and practical tools, we create an environment where families feel empowered to succeed.

The proven HENRY approach (Bridge & Willis, 2019) was developed in response to an identified gap for a practical intervention that would deliver the key evidence-based messages contained in Tackling obesity through the healthy child programme – a framework for action.

Watch our video below to learn more about the HENRY approach: how we work, what we do and why early support makes such a difference. 

Watch our short explainer video →
 

What Makes the HENRY Approach Unique

The HENRY approach is rooted in six core principles that create a foundation for lasting success:

1. Partnership: We work alongside parents and carers, recognising that they are the experts in their own families.
2. Strengths-Based Facilitation : Our programmes focus on building confidence, identifying strengths and celebrating progress.
3. Tailored Support: Every family is unique. We adapt our support to reflect each family’s values, culture and needs.
4. Practical Tools: Families receive hands-on, practical guidance they can apply immediately, from meal planning to managing daily routines.
5. Evidence-Based Practice: Our programmes and workshops are designed and delivered based on robust research, ensuring real, measurable outcomes.
6. Holistic Focus: We address not just physical health, but also emotional wellbeing, parenting challenges, and family routines. to support the whole family.

Throughout our service offer - evidence-based interventions, practitioner training and community volunteer initiatives - the HENRY approach recognises that messenger is as important as the message and so focuses on both to  create the conditions for change and to support families to adopt healthier lifestyles. 

This approach integrates evidence-based behaviour change models, including the Family Partnership Model, motivational interviewing and solution-focused support with information about a healthy start (nutrition, activity, etc) that is consistent with national guidance.

Explore our behaviour change models →

How the HENRY Approach Works in Practice

Turning theory into action.

The HENRY approach applies these evidence-based models in a practical, engaging way, always grounded in real-life family contexts, offering:

• Interactive Programmes and Workshops: Parents and carers engage in hands-on sessions where they can share ideas, build confidence and develop new skills.
• One-to-One Support: Families receive tailored guidance to tackle specific challenges, from starting solids and supporting infant feeding to building emotional resilience..
• Resources and Tools: Families receive recipe guides, activity ideas, daily routine tips and more to make healthier choices and changes feel achievable and realistic.
• Practitioner Training: Ensuring professionals can deliver our approach with fidelity and confidence.
• Infant feeding and responsive care: Families receive inclusive, evidence-based support around infant feeding, from breastfeeding and formula feeding to responsive bottle-feeding and building close parent-infant relationships. Read our full infant feeding and HENRY approach statement (PDF) here.

See our training and programme offer →

Why the HENRY Approach Works

It’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it.

Research shows that information alone is not enough to change behaviour. The HENRY approach:

• Creates Conditions for Change: Building parental confidence and motivation to adopt healthier behaviours.
• Focuses on Practical Application: Turning knowledge into action through everyday habits.
• Builds Resilience: Families gain the skills and tools to navigate challenges, reducing reliance on other services and fostering long-term self-sufficiency.

A peer-reviewed evaluation of the HENRY approach found statistically significant improvements in family health and well-being that were sustained over time.

See our evidence base →

The Impact of the HENRY Approach

Measurable results. Lifelong benefits.

Independent evaluation and family feedback highlight the transformational impact of our work:

• Healthier Eating: More fruit and vegetables, fewer sugary snacks, improved mealtime routines.
• Stronger Family Relationships: Closer relationships, positive routines and increased shared time together.
• Improved Emotional Well-Being: Parents feel calmer, more confident and better able to manage family life.

“HENRY gave us the tools we needed to make changes at our own pace. It’s not about being told what to do, it’s about finding what works for us.” — Parent participant

Discover our impact in action →

Why It Matters

Investing in early support creates lasting change.

Our approach contributes directly to early intervention, prevention and wider system goals in public health. By supporting families holistically and early on, HENRY helps reduce inequalities, promote healthier communities and improve long-term outcomes for children.

The HENRY approach doesn’t offer instant solutions, instead, it focuses on building the foundations for lasting improvements in family health and wellbeing. Parents and carers often share that small, manageable changes, such as eating meals together or involving children in preparing food, have made a meaningful difference to everyday family life.

“It’s rewarding to see parents realise they don’t have to change everything overnight. The HENRY approach is about progress, not perfection.” - HENRY facilitator

Find out how our work supports system change →