In England awards totalling more than 6.5m will support nine projects, while two awards worth nearly 1.55m have been made to projects in Glasgow and North Ayrshire in Scotland and a 1m grant has been awarded to Banbridge in Northern Ireland.
The Healthy Living Centre programme aims to promote good health in the widest context through community-led projects that will support teenage mothers, older people living on their own, refugees and asylum seekers, the unemployed and poor families.
Stephen Dunmore, NOF chief executive, said, 'The awards encourage people to lead a healthier lifestyle by opening up opportunities to take part in regular exercise and by providing information about healthy eating on a budget. The funded projects will encourage better access to health services, breaking down barriers of culture and language which may prevent people seeking help or advice.'
Healthy Living schemes include breakfast clubs for children which will be delivered by the Stockwell and Kettering projects. In Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, a 'community mothers' scheme will provide teenage parents who have no family support with guidance from volunteers in the community sharing their knowledge and experience.
Members of African communities in south London are to be offered a range of cultural and health activities including food hygiene, healthy eating, personal skills and IT workshops. Amber Valley in Derbyshire is employing a theatre company to deliver the 'Artery' school touring production which highlights health and welfare issues. It will also offer dance workshops to promote physical activity and social interaction for young people.