Helping children and young people in Rotherham get healthy

Why is it important for children and young people to keep a healthy weight?

Being overweight can be harmful for your child’s health now and in the future. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults, putting them at increased risk of a range of health problems; including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

What is a healthy weight?

A healthy weight for a child can depend on many factors, including height, age, sex and lifestyle.

What can I do to help a child or young person get to a healthy weight?

You can support a child or young person to achieve a healthier weight by encouraging healthier food choices and a variety of fun ways to exercise.

The NHS Better Health website offers a lot of useful advice, including healthy recipes and activities.

What support is available to help me do this?

We have collected some useful resources that may help you to support your child and family.

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has had no involvement in the set-up of these groups and cannot recommend their use, but other parents and children have found them useful.

Activities

Rotherham Parkrun

A free 5km run, jog or walk every Saturday at 9am in Clifton Park near the museum.

Rosehill Victoria junior parkrun

A free 2km run, jog or walk for juniors (4 to 14 years old). Every Sunday at 9am at Rosehill Victoria Park, just a short walk from the café and car park.

Jump Inc. Rotherham

Indoor trampoline, inflatable and ninja park. See website for offers and events.

Junior gym membership

Supervised gym sessions for 11 to 15 year olds, including a group induction. Find your local Places Leisure centre and enquire with a team member.

Athletics

Mini Athletics

For children from walking to 8 years old, to learn the fundamentals of athletics through engaging and energetic activities.

Rugby

Rugby Tots

A fun and friendly introduction to rugby in a positive and encouraging environment for 5 to 7 year olds.

Basketball

Rotherham Hawks

Training sessions for minis and rookies, under 12s and under 16s.

Football

Rotherham Football Centre

Football training sessions for 4 to 14 year olds of all abilities. Including girls only, goalkeeper sessions and holiday camps.

Wickersley Youth Junior Football Club

Football coaching for boys and girls from ages 4 to 6.

Rotherham United Community Trust

A variety of activities, not all football based, including holiday camps, mini millers, future stars and wild cats 5 to 11 girls sessions.

Dance and cheerleading

Just Dance Studios

Dance and fitness classes in Wath-upon-Dearne.

NovaCity Rotherham

Parkour, street dance and cheerleading.

Rotherham Cheerleading Academy

Competitive cheerleading and dancing from 4 years old. No previous experience required. Find on Facebook for more information.

Youth clubs and after school clubs

Pops Outdoor Adventure Centre

After school and holiday club provision in Rawmarsh and Wickersley.

Brampton youth group

Junior youth club (8 to 11 year olds) and moving up club (11 to 16 year olds).

Jade Youth and Community

SEND, LGBTQ+, junior and senior youth clubs and girls only target groups.

Martial arts and boxing

Team Dragonfoot Kickboxing Academy

Based in Swinton. Lil dragons 4 to 8 years, Dragons 9 to 13 years and Adults 15+.

Aktive Martial Arts (Eastwood)

Premier Martial Arts (Brinsworth)

Rotherham JKA Karate Club (Wickersley)

See Facebook group for more information.

Kazoku Martial Arts
 

There are lots of other local sports and activity clubs. Ask around or search online for your area.

Online

You can also search online for:

The Body Coach TV by Joe Wicks

Youtube channel including 'Hey Duggee and Joe Wicks' and many other kids' workouts.

This Girl Can

Tips on fun ways to stay active, including Disney dance-alongs.

For more information about physical activity opportunities and healthy lifestyle tips and advice, follow WHAM Rotherham on Facebook. 

There are lots of other activities and clubs to discover. Try them out and see what interests you!