TrimTots C.I.C.

Healthy lifestyle programme addressing childhood obesity.

TrimTots is tackling childhood obesity through the delivery and national roll out of a healthy lifestyle programme that was developed within the UCL Institute of Child Health.

The founding team worked with researchers, community practitioners and volunteer families to develop ‘Planet Munch’, a fun programme of puppetry, music and movement, storytelling, art workshops and hands-on food preparation which encourages both children and parents to learn together in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.

Families take part in weekly sessions over six months, building their knowledge and skills around food, physical activity and everyday routines.

group of parents and children doing crafts with Trim Tots — Parents and children taking part in Planet Munch craft activities

Behaviour change is encouraged using tried and tested methods such as setting goals that are sustainable, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-related (SMART).

Children take part in fun activities with their parents including art workshops, music and movement and games, while parents learn about food labelling, portion sizes and healthier cooking methods.

Team

Dr Julie Lanigan

Founder

Paediatric dietitian at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Dr Lanigan is a key investigator for clinical trials focusing on the influence of early nutrition on later health.

Ana Lemmo Charnalia

Senior Business Manager

Ana managed the Health Social Innovators’ Programme at UCL Ventures, a partnership with THT Social Investments to support early-stage health ventures which received backing from Janssen Healthcare Innovation and the Cabinet Office’s Social Incubator Fund.

Her current responsibilities within UCL Ventures include commercialising research from the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (SHAPE) as well as developing social venture opportunities (for profit, for purpose businesses) arising from UCL’s research base.

Prior to joining UCL Ventures, Ana provided funding and support to social entrepreneurs at UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs in the UK.

She holds an MBA from Oxford University.