Healthy Start

The Healthy Start scheme is to improve the health of pregnant women and families with children under four years old. Those eligible can receive vouchers which can be exchanged for free fruit, vegetables, milk and vitamins.

What is Healthy Start?

Healthy Start is a scheme where you can get free vouchers every week which you swap for milk, fresh and frozen fruit, fresh and frozen vegetables and milk. In addition, you can also get free vitamins for you and your under 4s.

Who is eligible to join Healthy Start?

You are eligible to sign up for the scheme if you are pregnant or have children under the age of 4 years old and you or your family are receiving Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Child Tax Credits and your annual income is below £16,190.  You are also eligible to join if you are under the age of 18 and are pregnant.

How much are the vouchers worth and what can they be used for?

The food vouchers come through the post and are worth £3.10 each per week while you are pregnant and for every child aged between one and under four years old.  The food vouchers for babies under the age of one are worth £6.10 each per week.

The vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and infant forumula based on cows milk.  With effect from 6th April 2011, they can also be used to purchase plain frozen fruit and vegetables, such as frozen peas, carrots, raspberries.  However, products containing added fat salt or sugar, or other extra ingredients (such as oven chips, battered onion rings, seasoned stir fry vegetables) can not be purchased with the vouchers.

Where can you use the vouchers?

Food vouchers can be swapped in local shops and supermarkets taking part in the scheme, and the stores taking part have a sticker in their window.  Healthy Start shops include greengrocers, milkmen, market stalls, chemists, corner shops and food co-ops as well as supermarkets.  

You can find your nearest participating store by entering your postcode into the search facility at www.healthystart.nhs.uk 

What about the vitamins? Why do you need them and how do you get them?

You get free vitamin supplements with Healthy Start, as well as vouchers to buy milk, fruit and vegetables.
 
You will get most of the vitamins you need if you eat healthy foods. However, your young children may not get enough vitamin A, C and D from their food; and pregnant and breastfeeding women may not get enough vitamin D or folic acid which may harm their baby.  Therefore, vitamin supplements are important.
 
You need to take the letter attached to your vouchers with you to claim your free vitamins.  Please use the links below to show where you can collect your free vitamins in your local area.

How do you apply to join Healthy Start?

You need to complete an application form which is available either from the Healthy Start website, by calling 0845 607 6823 (and asking for leaflet and application form, "A healthy start for pregnant women and young children" code HS01), from your midwife or health visitor, or may be available from your doctor's surgery. 

Once you have completed the form and signed it, you need to ask your midwife or health visitor to complete Part B and then send it off to Healthy Start (no stamp required) at

Healthy Start Issuing Unit
FREEPOST RRTR-SYAE-JKCR
PO Box 1067
Warrington
WA55 1EG

For more information about Healthy Start ask your health visitor, midwife or at your local children’s centre.