About Us

Hampshire Healthy Families is a partnership between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Health Visiting and School Nursing Service and Barnardo’s to deliver the healthy child programme across Hampshire.

What is the healthy child programme?  

The Healthy Child Programme is a programme designed by the UK Government from evidence to support the public health of children, young people and families. The programme is split in to six key areas. 

- Supporting you in becoming a parent
- Supporting maternal mental health and family mental health
- Supporting breastfeeding
- Supporting your family to live a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise 
- How to manage minor illnesses and avoid accidents 
- Supporting your child to be ready to learn at 2, and ready for school at 5

How does HIOW Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust work with Barnardo’s? 

Barnardo’s delivers the community part of the healthy child programme. By this we mean fun workshops and short courses in locations near you, such as your local library or community venue. All the workshops aim to help with your child’s development and social skills, as well as supporting you as a parent.  

Who will you see from the NHS and Barnardo’s and what do we all do? 

Health Visiting team (NHS): 

Here to help you and your family from the antenatal period until your child goes to school. We see some families more regularly if you need more help, which you can request at any point. Our health visiting teams work with families to support parents/ caregivers in their child’s emotional, social and physical development, support healthy lifestyles. We may see you at home or in a community venue.

Our service offers the following contacts:
- Antenatal contact (Usually from 28 weeks' gestation)
- New birth contact (The new birth visit is carried out approximately 10 to 14 days after your baby is born)
- Postnatal contact (Usually around 6-8 weeks)
- 3-4 month group contact (to learn about your child's health and development and about being a parent)
- Health Review 1 (HR1 between 9-12-months)
- Health Review 2 (HR2 at 2 years plus)

The service offers text, known as ChatHealth, phone or video contact depending on your needs. You will be signed up to our information portal where you can access health information for your child, change appointments, and receive public health notifications. 

Community Health Development Workers (CHDWs - Barnardo’s): 
Our team of Community Development Health Workers deliver free-to-attend sessions, courses and events across Hampshire, providing key health information for families with young children, based on the latest UK health guidance.

Barnardo’s Volunteers: 
Our volunteers support the delivery of sessions and courses, lead Ready Steady Walks and promote the service in the community. You may meet Barnardo’s volunteers out and about at community sessions, Ready Steady Walks and health clinics.

More information: 

UK Healthy Child Programme 
If you're a parent of a 5-19-year-old visit Health 4 Kids/Health 4 Teens
Find out more about volunteering for us
Contact your local Community Health Development Worker