Article: Healthy start Article Body Healthy Start is a UK wide scheme set up by the government to improve the health of pregnant women and families with children under four years old. Those eligible can receive weekly vouchers which can be exchanged for free fruit, vegetables, milk and vitamins. Who can join Healthy Start You are eligible to sign up for the scheme if you are pregnant or have children under the age of four 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 the scheme if you are under the age of 18 and are pregnant, even if you're working and not claiming benefits. How much the vouchers are worth and what they can be used for The vouchers, worth £3.10 each, are sent to you by post every month. The number of vouchers you receive will depend on your circumstances: pregnant women get one Healthy Start voucher a week babies under the age of one get two vouchers a week children aged over one and under four get one voucher a week . You can use your vouchers to buy milk, plain fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, milk, and infant formula based on cows' milk. You cannot use your vouchers to buy products containing added fat, salt or sugar, or other extra ingredients (such as oven chips, battered onion rings, seasoned stir fry vegetables). Healthy Start vitamins are also available to all families who meet the eligibility criteria. These can be accessed from all children's centres and clinics using the green vouchers that you will receive every eight weeks alongside your food vouchers. The vitamins should be given to infants and children from six months up to their fourth birthday. Infants from birth to six months do not need supplements as they should get enough vitamins from breast milk or infant formula milk. Women should take Healthy Start vitamins throughout pregnancy and until their baby is one year old. Most of us get all the vitamins we need from a healthy diet, but young children may not get enough vitamin A, C and D from their diet, and pregnant and breastfeeding women may not get enough vitamin D or folic acid, which could be harmful for their baby. NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines state that every pregnant woman and every child under the age of five should be taking an extra supplement of vitamin D. The Healthy Start vitamin drops for children contain vitamins A, C and D and the women's tablets contain vitamins B, C and D. Where you can use the vouchers You can swap your vouchers in a wide range of local shops and supermarkets, including greengrocers, corner shops, chemists, and market stalls, and even with your milkman, providing they are registered with the scheme. Stores taking part in the scheme will usually display a Healthy Start sticker in their windows. You can find your nearest participating store by entering your postcode into the Healthy Start search facility. How to apply for Healthy Start To claim your vouchers you have to complete the application leaflet (code HS01) which is available on the Healthy Start website. You can print this off or you can complete it online. You can also ask your midwife or health visitor for one, or pick one up at your GP surgery. The Healthy Start team will also send you one in the post if you ring their helpline on 0845 607 6823. Fill in Part A of the leaflet and then ask your midwife or health visitor to complete Part B. Make sure your health professional has signed Part B or it won't be accepted. Finally, post your application leaflet to Healthy Start (no stamp required) at: Healthy Start Issuing Unit FREEPOST RRTR-SYAE-JKCR PO Box 1067 Warrington WA55 1EG Barnsley's Lead Nutritional Co-ordinator, Early Childhood Services, delivers brief workshops on Healthy Start. If you are interested, please call 01226 775087 or email kathcooper@barnsley.gov.uk. Alternatively you can speak to your health visitor, midwife or the staff at your local children's centre.