An Invitation to Merton S First Ever Hackathon

The Great Weight Debate Merton Help our children lead healthier lives

An invitation to Merton’s first ever Hackathon Saturday 3rd June 10am – 1pm

You are invited to join us on Saturday 3rd June for Merton’s first ever Hackathon - a fun and creative ideas marathon. This event will bring people from a wide range of backgrounds together to come up with creative, innovative solutions to tackle the rising issue of unhealthy weight in children and young people.

What is a Hackathon? A Hackathon is an event that brings motivated local people together to brainstorm positive suggestions for lasting change in their community.

The challenge is to find new and exciting ways to reduce childhood obesity in Merton by getting more children, young people and families eating well and being active.

The Hackathon is part of the Great Weight Debate Merton, a six-month project commissioned by Merton Council’s Public Health Team. We have been having lots of conversations with different communities in Merton to find out what is needed to reduce childhood obesity and what is already helping families to tackle this issue. The Hackathon is an opportunity to bring all those ideas together and use them to inspire and develop some actions that could really work in Merton.

No experience or homework is required - just turn up on the day! It's free and there will be refreshments to keep you energised. Your ideas could change lives.

Why do we need a Hackathon? The Hackathon is all about the health of children and young people in Merton: London has more overweight and obese children than any other global city – in some primary schools in Merton, more than 50% of children leave Year 6 overweight or obese.

Being overweight or obese can affect a child’s mental well-being and lead to low self- esteem. There is also a high probability that young people will remain overweight as adults, putting them at increased risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Join us Too many young people find it hard to eat healthily and exercise enough and & you global evidence shows that unless we change our environment, we won’t could stop the childhood obesity epidemic. win a family day out When and where? Saturday 3rd June 9.45 for a 10am start 1pm finish

St Marks C of E Academy, Acacia Rd, Mitcham CR4 1SF. Onsite parking is available Buses: 152, 463 Train: Mitcham Eastfields

How does it work? At the Hackathon we’ll present the issues and give you feedback on what communities have told us through the Great Weight Debate Merton. Then, working as part of a team, you’ll help to develop a practical solution to one of four challenges:

 How can we support families and young people in Merton to eat more healthily?  How can we support busy working families in Merton to help their children achieve 60 minutes exercise a day?  How can we tackle the growing fast food environment in Merton?  How can we make healthy options more attractive and affordable in Merton?

Supported by health experts, your team will develop an idea and share it with everyone else at the meeting. A wide group of people will take part including parents, young people, representatives of community groups, local business owners, school staff, health and care professionals.

The hackathon will be fast, fun and full of hands-on teamwork. We want to show what can happen when motivated local people get together to develop ideas that can have a lasting effect on children’s health.

How do I book a place? Fill in the attached form or go online to: http://www.greatweightdebatemerton.co.uk/upcoming-events/hackathon We will then send you more details. Don't forget to share this with your friends and colleagues. 11-18 year olds are welcome to take part, but please note this event is not suitable for young children

If you need more information, please email us at [email protected] or phone 020 8404 1522.

Attendees will be entered into a free prize draw to win a family day out worth over £50.

We look forward to seeing you at the Hackathon, Best wishes,

The Great Weight Debate Merton Team The Great Weight Debate Merton Hackathon Booking Form

Your Name

Contact Address

Name of Business or organisation (if applicable) Email

Telephone

Attending Parent Teacher Young Person Community as a … Group rep (please tick) Health Local Authority Local business professional Rep owner Other (please specify)

Area of Eating Healthily Being Active interest

Now chose a topic – please indicate your preferred choice 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th : How can we support families and young people in Merton to eat more healthily? How can we support busy working families in Merton to help their children achieve 60 minutes exercise a day? How can we tackle the growing fast food environment in Merton? How can we make healthy options more attractive and affordable in Merton? 11-18 year olds are welcome to take part, but please note this event is not suitable for young children

 Please keep me updated on the Great Weight Debate Merton by email

Please email this form to [email protected] or post to The Great Weight Debate Merton, EcoLocal, The Old School House, Mill Lane, Carshalton, SM5 2JY

You can also complete this form online at http://www.greatweightdebatemerton.co.uk/upcoming-events/hackathon

@GWDMerton @gwdmerton