Healthy Start: Mums-to-be and young children to get free vitamins under new scheme launched in South Tyneside

Mums-be-be and small children are being offered free vitamin supplements to help them stay healthy under a new scheme being launched in South Tyneside.
Cllr Tracey Dixon with some of the vitaminsCllr Tracey Dixon with some of the vitamins
Cllr Tracey Dixon with some of the vitamins

The free nutrient packages are being offered under Healthy Start, a national initiative which South Tyneside Council is rolling out across the borough.

The Healthy Start vitamins can be claimed by women who are at least ten weeks pregnant, and for children under the age of four.

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Councillor Tracey Dixon, deputy council leader with responsibility for Independence and Wellbeing in South Tyneside, said: “Even with a balanced diet, it can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need, especially at certain times in your life, such as during pregnancy, as a new mum or as a small child.

“Vitamins are essential nutrients that support healthy growth and development so we are delighted to be able to offer these to families as part of our aim of giving every child the best start in life.”

The Healthy Start vitamin tablets for women and new mums contain folic acid and vitamins C and D.

The drops for children contain vitamins A, C and D and are for children who are having less than one pint of infant formula a day.

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It comes as health experts urge people to stay healthy and ensure they get the right nutrients to help them stave off infections in the winter months, particularly during the pandemic.

Vitamin D supplements are also recommended to help boost levels of the nutrient particularly during autumn and winter, when there is less daylight. The vitamin is absorbed from sunlight through the skin.

The vitamins can be collected from the Maternity-Led Birthing Centre at South Tyneside Hospital or from Boldon, Horsley Hill, Primrose or Riverside Children’s Centres by appointment only. Appointments are available between 10am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday.

For safety reasons, people are encouraged to collect the vitamins on their own if possible, wear a face covering and maintain social distancing,

To make an appointment, call one of the numbers below:

Maternity Led Birthing Unit - 0191 404 1033

Boldon Children’s Centre - 0191 519 5920

Horsley Hill Children’s Centre - 0191 456 9404

Primrose Children’s Centre - 0191 424 4900

Riverside Children’s Centre - 0191 423 4971

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