April 2026

Families First News

The latest news

Introducing the NHS Healthy Start Scheme: Nourishing Families for a Healthier Future

Are you helping families you work with to cope with the rising cost of living and keeping to a healthy diet?  Did you know you can encourage them to apply for a weekly payment for fresh fruit, vegetables and milk through the NHS Healthy Start Scheme?

The Healthy Start Scheme is a government initiative aimed at providing essential support and funding for vulnerable and low-income families. The scheme's primary goal is to ensure that every vulnerable family, particularly those facing economic hardship, has access to healthy and nutritious food.

Nearly £1million of the NHS Healthy Start scheme in Hertfordshire, is still unclaimed and more families need your support to benefit from this funding How to apply – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

How the scheme works:

Money is added onto the Healthy Start card every 4 weeks and recipient receives:

  • £4.65 each week of pregnancy from the 10th week
  • £9.30 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
  • £4.65 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old

Families can also obtain free vitamins from their local family centre in Hertfordshire – find out more at www.hertsfamilycentres.org/healthystartvitamins

More information available at Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

You can also email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or call 0300 330 7010 for information.

Comments

No comments have been left for this article

Have your say...

Your name will be published alongside your comment but we will not publish your email address.

All comments will be reviewed by a moderator before being published.

Please ensure you complete all fields marked as mandatory.