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  5. Xplore
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Xplore

Xplore is a healthy lifestyle programme that provides a friendly, fun and safe environment to help children, young people and their families lead healthier lifestyles and become more active.

The programme is designed to give lots of handy tips around healthy eating and activity so children, young people and their families can try new things to improve their health and wellbeing within their everyday lives. All programmes include healthy eating workshops and physical activity sessions that are age appropriate, and offers ongoing support to families after completing the programme to help them to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

The service is part of the Young Greenwich Youth Service commissioned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and is completely free to attend. 

Eligibility criteria

The programme is aimed at children and young people (4-19 years) who:

  • Live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and/ or       
  • Registered with a Royal Borough of Greenwich GP and/ or
  • Attend a Royal Borough of Greenwich school, sixth form college or institutes of further education

AND

  • Have a BMI≥ 91st centile (calculate this using the NHS BMI calculator here)
  • Have no complex needs

Unsure of your child's weight?

If you are unable to get an accuate weight of a child or young person, some clear indicators to see if they meet the eligibility criteria include:

  • Looks bigger than their peers
  • Wears clothes for older ages or adult clothes
  • Eats more than their peers
  • Has mentioned that they think they are overweight
  • Has received a letter from the school nurse
  • Gets out of breath quickly while exercising

The service does accept children and young people outside of the eligibility criteria, however this is processed on a case by case basis.

If a child has any medical, physical, psychological, educational or emotional condition then we may need to consult with the appropriate health professional before offering a place on the programme.

We may need to refer the child to another service that is more suitable for their needs. Other services include the Children & Young Person Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management and Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) Clinics for Children.

PROGRAMME OPTIONS

The service offers a range of programmes for children and young people depending on their age and needs. 

FAMILY (4 - 11 YEARS)

Take place at either a Better leisure centres or another community venue over a 8-weeks. Programmes usually start in the evenings from 5pm - 6:30pm, however can vary slightly between locations. 

Includes nutritional workshops for everyone, fun activities/games for children and facilitated discussions for parent/carers, who are required to attend each session.

Children receive a FREE:

  • drawstring bag with lots of goodies
  • certificate of achievement
  • Greenwich One Card* pre-loaded with £20 credit to spend how they wish at our Better leisure centres in the borough.

* The Greenwich One Card is a free annual membership available to anyone to lives, works or studies in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The membership provides access to a wide range of discounts, money off products and services at participating local businesses, shops and restaurants. More information can be found here

JUNIOR (11 - 14 YEARS)

Take place at four Better leisure centres in the borough for young people interested in fitness and gym based exercises. This group programme runs over 8-weeks from 5pm - 6:30pm and includes 30-mins of nutritional workshop and 60-mins in the gym/ studio with a facilitator.

A parent/carer must attend the first and last session to complete paperwork and is encouraged to join in with other sessions to take part in the gym element also.

Young people receive a FREE 1-month membership for Swim for Fitness*, Junior Fitness Classes and/or Junior Gym. If the young people would like to continue with a gym membership after the FREE membership expires, young people are enocuraged to either sign up to one of the following:

  • Better Flex Junior membership: This membership offers up to 30% off popular Better activities such as swimming for a nominal monthly fee of £5 (by Direct Debit) plus one free swim a month. Please note: A £12.50 setup fee applies to all Better Flex memberships. More information can be found here
  • Greenwich One Card: This card is a free annual membership available to anyone to lives, works or studies in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The membership provides access to a wide range of discounts, money off products and services at participating local businesses, shops and restaurants. More information can be found here

  • Better Health Junior membership: This membership for provides young people (aged 11-17) access to junior gym (one session per day), swimming and junior fitness classes. junior gym sessions, fitness classes and swimming at Better locations in their local area. These junior sessions are for everyone and help kids learn how to use their local gym in a fun, supportive environment, with instructors on hand to offer advice and encouragement. More information can be found here

* Swimmers aged 11-17 should be competent swimmers of a club standard

TEEN (15 - 19 YEARS)

There are a few options to run these programmes. All programmes are over 8-weeks, with each session lasting 60-minutes consisting of topical discussions while exercising. There are small group programmes from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at four leisure centres as one option. Alternatively if these times do not suit these can run at times that suit the availability of the young person, family and facilitator.

A parent/carer must attend the first and last session to complete paperwork and is encouraged to join in with other sessions to take part in the gym element also.

Young people receive a FREE 1-month membership for Swim for Fitness*, Junior Fitness Classes and/or Junior Gym. If the young people would like to continue with a gym membership after the FREE membership expires, young people are enocuraged to either sign up to one of the following:

  • Better Flex Junior membership: This membership offers up to 30% off popular Better activities such as swimming for a nominal monthly fee of £5 (by Direct Debit) plus one free swim a month. Please note: A £12.50 setup fee applies to all Better Flex memberships. More information can be found here

  • Greenwich One Card: This card is a free annual membership available to anyone to lives, works or studies in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The membership provides access to a wide range of discounts, money off products and services at participating local businesses, shops and restaurants. More information can be found here

  • Better Health Junior membership: This membership for provides young people (aged 11-17) access to junior gym (one session per day), swimming and junior fitness classes. junior gym sessions, fitness classes and swimming at Better locations in their local area. These junior sessions are for everyone and help kids learn how to use their local gym in a fun, supportive environment, with instructors on hand to offer advice and encouragement. More information can be found here

  • Student membership: This flexible, no-contract membership provides young people with inclusive access to our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes. The membership is available to anyone aged 16 and above enrolled in a course requiring 16 or more hours of study per week. To qualify, eligibility of proof is requied. More information can be found here.

* Swimmers aged 11-17 should be competent swimmers of a club standard

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMMES

The following programmes are taking place soon. Click on the venue for more information about its location.

Family (7 - 11 years)

  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / Saturday 15th March 2025 / 12:30pm – 2pm / with Juliet & Sarah

Family (4 - 6 years)

  • The Plumstead Centre / Tuesday 11th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Leigh & Dre
  • Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre / Thursday 13th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Leigh & Juliet

Junior Gym (11 - 14 years)

  • The Eltham Centre / Monday 10th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Jamielee
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / Tuesday 11th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Sarah
  • Thamesmere Leisure Centre / Wednesday 12th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Leigh
  • The Greenwich Centre / Thursday 13th March 2025 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Sarah

Teen Gym (15 - 19 years)

  • The Eltham Centre / Monday 10th March 2025 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / with Leigh
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / Tuesday 11th March 2025 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / with Sarah
  • Thamesmere Leisure Centre / Wednesday 12th March 2025 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / with Leigh
  • The Greenwich Centre / Thursday 13th March 2025 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / with Sarah

Book now

MAINTENANCE FOR GRADUATES

After the children and young people have completed a programme, they and their families will receive lots of support including:

  • A telephone call around 6- and 12-months post programme to check in and see if we can help in any other way
  • Opportunities to attend half term events and/or regular evening activities (see next event below)
  • Signposting to activities and events happening in the borough that may be of interest to you

EXTERNAL EVENTS

Check out some of the local offers available to children and families in the near future.

 

 

 

 

INTERNAL EVENTS

To ensure children are keeping physically active, the service runs the following events for children and young people 6- and 12-months post programme.

Clip 'n Climb

Xplore have booked the climbing wall for a maximum of 30 graduates. These will be free for graduates to attend and will take place at Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre on Friday 28th March 2025 from 5:45pm - 7:15pm.

The first 30-minutes include a harnessing and safety induction process, which must be completed by all climbers. The next 60-minutes, the children and young people will get the opportunity to try the entire range of challenging walls.

Book now

 

OUR PARTNERS

The Xplore service works with lots of organisations in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Click on the links below for more information about what they offer.

Young Greenwich is for 8-19 year olds, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, who want to have fun, meet new friends, learn new skills and fulfil their potential.

More details...

GCDA runs free cooking sessions showing how to make small changes that can make big differences to your health and your pocket! See how to prepare delicious, mouth-watering and healthy meals. 

More details...

Greenwich Get Active is here to help you move more and feel better. It is Greenwich’s one stop shop for all physical activity around the borough. It can connect you with lots of free and affordable activities.

More details...

Check out what events are happening within the Royal borough of Greenwich. Use the calendar to pick a date and show activities from arts and crafts to fun festivals that everyone can enjoy.

More details...

Greenwich Better Sports Development deliver community sport and physical activity programmes for a various groups of people living in the borough with the aim is to get more people, more active, more often.

More details...

SEND Local Offer provides lots of information for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

More details...

WHAT FAMILIES SAY

"After taking part in the programme we began to schedule time for work out at least once a week. Less screen time and more sleep time" Chee, parent enrolled on Waterfront Leisure Centre (7 - 11 Years)

"It helps me focus more on my physical activities instead of staying at home" Aleena, child enrolled on Waterfront Leisure Centre (11 - 14 Years)

"Our outlook on nutritional consumptions have changed, we have started making healthier choices. Levi knows not to consume lots of sugary food. He complains where there is lots of sugar in his snacks or drinks" Doris, parent enrolled on The Plumstead Centre (7 - 11 Years)

“My family is very motivated and we have made a massive change to our lifestyle. We do more family walks and keep more active. We have stopped buying sugars and choose healthier options. We check labels. We cut out so many snacks as we now check if we need it or just fancy it. The team, are so amazing and we cannot thank them enough” Nabjit, parent enrolled on Waterfront Leisure Centre (7 – 11 Years) 

“She has now realised what food are healthy and not. Talking to someone else has made us realise we needed to change our diet and do more exercise. We have changed a lot of foods we eat e.g. Yoghurt, bread, rice, pasta, milk. She rides a bike home from school most of the days” Parent enrolled on The Plumstead Centre (4 – 6 Years)

 “I believe that Leo is taking his exercise habits a bit more serious and trying to eat better too. I have finally convinced Leo to join a sport activity once a week and he will be doing 1 hour of Jiu Jitsu every Saturday morning” Elizabete, parent enrolled on The Greenwich Centre (11 – 14 Years)

"Our school has been involved with XPLORE for two years.  The two hour program is multi faceted.  Leigh delivers a whole group session for children and parents with family friendly information, activities and quizzes regarding nutrition and exercise, and then in the second hour, the coach puts the children through their 'sporting paces.'  Because the programme is designed to be family friendly, the sporting element is about challenging their own ability rather than a set standard. All the families have gained so much knowledge from attending the course and are far more mindful when they are doing their shopping paying particular attention to the traffic light system" Ms Smith, Learning Mentor and Family Support at St Thomas a Becket Primary School (4 - 6 Years)

MEET THE TEAM

Leigh

Coordinator

Dre

Facilitator

Jamielee

Facilitator

Juliet

Facilitator

Sarah

Facilitator

FAQ's

How do I book onto a programme?

If you are concerned about your child’s weight, you can self refer onto one of these programmes through the Young Greenwich Service website by following this link and signing up as a parent. Alternatively your GP or another health professional can make a referral into the service on your behalf. Once the referral has been accepted by the Young Greenwich Service we'll be in touch to get your family booked onto the programme.

 

Do I receive confirmation of the programme I’m attending?

After one of the Xplore team has spoken to you and have agreed to attend a programme, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have not received this, check your junk/spam folders. This email states the start date and time, the location of the programme and what you’ll need to bring on the first session.

 

Do parents/ carers need to attend the programme?

The Family programmes requires the parent/carer to attend each session and work along side their child in order to learn about nutrition and physical activity together. However, the young people attending the Junior Gym or Teen Gym programmes, a parent/ carer is required to attend the first and last session. We do encourage these parents/ carers to take part in the whole session as part of supporting the young person on this programme.

 

What should I do if I can’t make a session or attend the programme any longer?

You can contact us on the details below. 

If you are unable to attend a few sessions in a row then it would be better to look for a programme where you can attend more of the sessions.

If you feel you are no longer ready to start at this time but are interested in future programmes, please contact us on the details above and we can arrange to for you to join another programme that may suit you better.

 

Can siblings attend?

Yes! They are more than welcome to join in with the activities. We understand that child care issues can arise, so if you are bringing along siblings/ other people to the session we ask that they respect the session and others. Please note, we are not able to accommodate children under the age of 11 in the Junior and Teen Gym programmes.

 

What topics does the programme cover?

The Xplore programme covers a range of topics including:

  • The Eatwell Guide and what a healthy balanced diet is
  • Foods high in fat, sugar and salt and how to reduce them
  • Label reading and apps to help you choose healthier foods
  • Routines including breakfast, physical activity and sleep
  • Hunger and triggers and the differences between them

In addition to learning about all of the above, children, young people and their families will set SMART challanges each week and try a range of different activities over the programme.

 

Can we get the Xplore programme in our school?

Please contact us on the details below and one of the Xplore Team will be happy to see how we can work together.

 

We’ve been referred into the service but haven’t heard anything yet?

The Young Greenwich Service is an initiative created by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to make services more accessible for children and young people. After the referral is made, the parent/ carer should receive a call from the Young Greenwich team to confirm the details of the referral. Once this has been accepted, the Xplore team will call to start the process of getting your family booked onto one of the programmes. 

Please contact us on the details below if you are concerned that the referral is taking too long and the Xplore Team will have a look into this for you. To contact the Young Greenwich Service, please follow this link.

CONTACT US

For more information please call the XPLORE Team on 0203 795 0715 or email xplore.greenwich@gll.org.

Referrals

There are two ways to refer into the service; through the Young Greenwich Service* or Self-referral Portal.

Health professionals please ensure they are sent through the Young Greenwich Service* button below. 

Self-referrals can be made either by the Young Greenwich Service* button or the Self-referral Portal button below.

*You will need to create an account for the first time you send a referral.

Young Greenwich Service

Self-referral Portal

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