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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. 

SCHOOL (4 - 11 YEARS)

Take place at a primary school and is delivered as an afterschool club. A compact programme that has been streamlined to fit into a school half term of 6-weeks. The times will generally run from 3:30pm - 5pm but can vary depending on the school finish time.

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.

COMMUNITY (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.

JUNIOR GYM (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. 

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

TEEN GYM (15 - 19 YEARS)

Runs at times that suit the availability of the young person, family and facilitator. Delivered over 8-weeks, with each session lasting 60-minutes, mainly consisting of topical discussions while exercising.

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. 

* 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.

Community (7 - 11 years)

 

  • Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre / Thursday 25th January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Juliet & Leigh
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / Saturday 27th January 2024 / 12:30pm – 2pm / with Juliet & Sarah

Community (4 - 6 years)

  • The Plumstead Centre / Tuesday 23rd January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Leigh & TBC

Junior Gym (11 - 14 years)

  • The Greenwich Centre / Monday 8th January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Jamielee
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / Tuesday 9th January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Sarah
  • Thamesmere Leisure Centre / Wednesday 10th January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Abdelkrim
  • The Eltham Centre / Thursday 11th January 2024 / 5pm – 6:30pm / with Sarah

Book now

PROGRAMME TOPICS

The Xplore programme covers a range of topics throughout the programme including:

  • Session 1 - Introduction
  • Session 2 - The Eatwell Guide
  • Session 3 - Sugars, Fat and Salt
  • Session 4 - Label Reading
  • Session 5 - Routines
  • Session 6 - Triggers and Hunger
  • Session 7 - Physical Activity
  • Session 8 - Graduation

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

NEXT XPLORE EVENT

We're in the process of planning. Check back soon!

 

REGULAR SESSIONS

To ensure graduates are keeping physically active, the service runs the following sessions alongside the current programmes. If a child or young person is interested in any of the below sessions, please complete the online form here and the follow the instructions below on the day.

School & Community (4 - 11 years)

  • The Plumstead Centre / starting Tuesday 23rd January 2024 / 4:15pm – 5pm / with Leigh
  • Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre / starting Thursday 25th January 2024 / 4:15pm – 5pm / with Leigh
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre /starting Saturday 27th January 2024 / 11:15am - 12pm / with Sarah

Just turn up on the day and sign in! Ask reception where the session is taking place and say you are with 'Xplore'

Junior Gym & Teen Gym (11 - 14 years & 15 - 19 years)

  • The Greenwich Centre / starting Monday 8th January 2024 / 5:30pm – 6:30pm / with Jamielee
  • Waterfront Leisure Centre / starting Tuesday 9th January 2024 / 5:30pm – 6:30pm / with Leigh / Sarah
  • Thamesmere Leisure Centre / starting Wednesday 10th January 2024 / 5:30pm - 6:30pm / with Abdelkrim
  • The Eltham Centre / starting Thursday 11th January 2024 / 5:30pm – 6:30pm / with Sarah

Find the facilitator and say hello! To enter the venue, say to reception you are with 'Xplore'

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...

The Big Mile is a FREE, fun, family-friendly event that takes place on the same finishing stretch as The Big Half – culminating at the iconic Cutty Sark.

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

Tessy

Administrator

Jamielee

Facilitator

Abdelkrim

Facilitator

Juliet

Facilitator

Sarah

Facilitator

CONTACT US

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

Referrals

For referrals (self-referrals and by health professionals) please do ensure they are sent through the Young Greenwich Service (website). You will need to create an account for the first time you send a referral. 

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Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398 VAT registration no: 219749179.

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