Free vitamins and healthy food for low-income families as new scheme launched

West Berkshire Council has teamed up with public health colleagues from Wokingham and Reading Borough Councils to promote the benefits of the Healthy Start scheme, which supports eligible low-income families receiving benefits.

Healthy Start is a national programme to help those who qualify by providing free vitamins for pregnancy, plus financial support to pay for healthy food and milk until their child is four.

Mums who are more than 10 weeks pregnant, or have a child under four, may be entitled to receive a Healthy Start card, which can be used to obtain free vitamins.

It also has money loaded on it to buy items including vegetables, fruit, pulses, cow’s milk and infant formula milk, in a number of shops displaying the MasterCard logo.

The card can be applied for online and a further benefit will be added to it every four weeks.

Graham Bridgman, the council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “The Healthy Start scheme offers great support to families with young children.

“As costs continue to rise, families are under increasing financial pressure and need a helping hand.

“This pre-paid card will make it easier for people to get healthy food items to support the growth and development of their children, and to give them the healthy start they need.”

If you are not a British citizen but your child is, you might be eligible for Healthy Start depending on your immigration status.

To apply for a Heathy Start card, visit https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/