Merton Children’s Nursing Team promote health and inclusion to local communities at Big Sports Day

Earlier this month, our Merton 0–19 Public Health Nursing Team, comprising of school nurses and health visitors represented CLCH at Big Sports Day, hosted in East Merton. The event was designed to inspire young people, champion inclusive access, and promote the benefits of physical activity for all. As London’s first borough of sport, the event aimed to promote physical activity, inspire young people, and ensure inclusive access to sporting opportunities

Families from across the borough enjoyed a wide range of free activities, reflecting our shared commitment to tackling inequalities in sport. Opportunities for free and accessible within the Borough were also promoted at the event, recognising the impact of the social determinants of health on access to sport. The Borough aims to ensure all children and young people can engage in sporting opportunities, no matter what their background.

Hosting the event in East Merton carried particular significance. Levels of deprivation and childhood obesity in the area are higher than average, and many families face barriers to engaging in sport and healthy lifestyles. By bringing Big Sports Day into the heart of the community, those barriers were reduced, and the turnout showed just how valuable this approach can be.

Given deprivation is also linked with childhood obesity, which is above average in the East of Merton, the team contributed by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving health literacy. The team engaged with 11 children (aged 2–11) using interactive activities about healthy and unhealthy foods and held conversations with 15 parents about nutrition and support services. In addition, they recognised that there are often barriers to accessing services, so attending these types of community events provides invaluable opportunities to promote health, improve health literacy and influence behaviour change in an informal environment. Several parents reported they were unaware of the public health nursing service offer in the NHS and how to access it, which underlines the importance of community engagement events.

Eleanor Nicholls, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse and Public Health Fellow said: “The event provided a valuable opportunity to promote health in an informal, accessible setting, build trust, and strengthen community relationships. It reinforced that community engagement is essential for reducing barriers and it was a real highlight to see children from such a varied background enjoying a range of sporting activities.”

Sherwin Mauricio, Team Lead for Merton School Nursing Service added: “It was a privilege to be invited to the event and to have the opportunity to showcase our services in school nursing and health visiting to the families in attendance. Engaging with families and delivering concise yet meaningful health promotion on site was also a truly rewarding experience.”

If you require more information about the event, head to the Merton Council website: https://www.merton.gov.uk/healthy-living/sport-and-healthy-living/bigsportsday