HELPING YOUR FAMILY STAY HEALTHY, HAPPY AND READY TO LEARN
A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES
Dear Parents & Carers,
We know that raising a family today isn’t easy.
Food prices are rising, life is busy, and it can be hard to know what’s best for your child especially when everyone tells you something different.
Eat Well, Live Well in Burnley is here to support you with simple, affordable ideas that work for real families here in Burnley.
Because every child in Burnley deserves to grow strong, learn well and feel good each day and we are offering advice and support to enable this.
WHY EATING WELL MATTERS FOR YOUR CHILD
Healthy food helps children with:
- Better focus in school
- More energy for playing and learning
- Feeling confident and happy
- Staying well and missing fewer school days
- Growing strong bodies and healthy habits for life.
We understand the challenges many Burnley families tell us:
- “Fresh food is expensive right now.”
- “My shift patterns mean I need quick meals.”
- “My kids are fussy and prefer snacks.”
- “We cook traditional foods at home and want ideas that fit our culture.”
This programme is designed with you and your real life in mind. Eat well doesn’t mean perfect. It means doing what you can, with what you have.
EASY IDEAS FOR EATING WELL (ON ANY BUDGET)
What helps children feel their best?
You don’t need special ingredients. Just try to include these most days:
Fruit & Veg
Fresh, frozen or tinned — whatever fits your budget.
TIP: Add veg to rice, pasta, curries or stews.
Carbs for Energy
Pasta, rice, potatoes, chapattis, bread.
TIP: Cheaper supermarket brands work just as well.
Protein for Growth
Chicken, eggs, fish, beans, lentils, dhal, tofu.
TIP: Beans and lentils are great low-cost options.
Dairy or Alternatives
Milk, yoghurt, cheese, soya or oat drinks (calcium-fortified).
TIP: Plain yoghurt + fruit = easy snack.
Drinks
Water or milk is best.
TIP: If your child loves fizzy drinks, try reducing slowly rather than stopping all at once.
Quick swaps that save money and help health
- Swap sugary cereal → porridge, wheat biscuits
- Swap crisps → popcorn, fruit, veg sticks
- Swap takeaways → pasta + jarred sauce + frozen veg
- Swap sugary drinks → water with lemon or berries
Packed lunches on a budget
- Wrap or sandwich + fruit + yoghurt
- Leftover pasta/rice with veg and beans or chicken
- Pitta + hummus + cucumber/carrot sticks
- Add one ‘fun item’ (crisp packet or small treat)
- balance is better than restriction
HOW EAT WELL, LIVE WELL CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY
Throughout the year we’ll offer:
- Free family-friendly workshops in schools and community centres
- Budget-friendly recipes using low-cost ingredients
- Help for fussy eaters
- Culturally inclusive meal ideas for all Burnley communities
- Advice for busy parents needing quick, healthy options
- Support for families struggling with food costs
You are not alone – and small changes can make a big difference.
Eat Well, Live Well in Burnley — Powered by
Recipes and cookery lessons:
- Down Town Cookery School – hands-on cooking sessions focused on simple, budget-friendly meals
- You can also use the Down Town cookbook, which shares family-friendly recipes designed to be easy to cook at hom
Food support now:
For lots of families, eating well is about money, time and what’s going on in life.
- If you’re unsure where to start, Burnley Together food support can help you find the right option for your situation
Saving money on food
If you want to make your food budget stretch, local community groceries offer affordable weekly shopping and support.
- Community Grocery (Down Town and Valley Street) — low-cost grocery shopping for members
Foodbanks and emergency food support in Burnley
These services can help if you need emergency food support. Some are drop-in and some may ask for a referral. If you’re unsure, Burnley Together can help you decide where to go first.
- Burnley Community Kitchen — community food support in the town centre
- Church on the Street (COTS) — foodbank and support services
- Gannow Community Centre — local food support and referrals
- Spacious Place — foodbank support and wider help
- The Salvation Army (Burnley) — foodbank and practical support
- Inspiring Grace Foodbank — emergency food parcels and delivery support
- Nelson Community Mosque Foodbank — community-led food support
- Ghausia Foodbank (Burnley) — community food support
- The Cabin (South West Burnley) — local food and community support
- West Craven Foodbank — emergency food support near Barnoldswick and Earby
Free and low-cost meals and activities
Sometimes what helps most is a hot meal, a welcoming space and a bit of company.
- PASTA Club (Play and Skills at Teatime Activities) — after-school club combining food and physical activity
- Bean Good at The Chai Centre — community café and wellbeing activities
- Burnley FC in the Community — health, wellbeing and activity programme
Holiday support for children
If your child receives benefits-related free school meals, they may be eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free activities and meals during school holidays
Support for babies, toddlers and families
- Family Hubs (Lancashire) — support from pregnancy to age 19 (or 25 with SEND), including baby feeding advice
- Breastfeeding and infant feeding support (Lancashire) — advice and local support
- Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing — support to build good toothbrushing habits early
Getting active as a family
- Up & Active (Burnley Leisure / Active Lifestyle Hub) — supported ways to be active
- Burnley Sports Partnership — school sport, coaching and club links
Growing and outdoor learning
- Pennine Lancashire Community Farm (Growing Minds) — food growing, farming and outdoor learning
- Green Dreams Project (Padiham) — community projects focused on health and wellbeing
More food support:
- Food for Life — supports schools and communities to improve food culture
- Lancashire Healthier Places — promoting healthier environments
- Recipe 4 Health Award — recognising healthier food businesses
- Sport England — national support for sport and physical activity