Fun and active campaign to inspire healthier, happier lifestyles

24 August 2026

Children, young people and families across North Northamptonshire are being encouraged to eat well, move more and spend less time on screens through a month-long campaign packed with activities, challenges and prizes.

Switch Up September, led by North Northamptonshire Council’s Healthy Schools team, launches for a month of fun this autumn, with free activities designed to help children and their families embrace healthier habits.

Taking place throughout September, the campaign brings together schools, community organisations and local families to promote positive health and wellbeing through a series of engaging challenges, events and competitions.

Launching at the start of the new academic year, Switch Up September encourages children and young people to make healthy choices part of their everyday routine. By focusing on small, achievable changes over an entire month, the campaign aims to help families build healthy habits that can last well beyond September.

Participating schools across North Northamptonshire will be encouraged to complete a range of activities and challenges, working towards different achievement levels with a chance to win exciting prizes. Schools can win sports equipment vouchers, Active Families sessions and an experience day at the University of Northampton.

Alongside the school programme, a calendar of free community events will provide opportunities for families to get active together, explore local green spaces, learn new skills and connect with organisations that support health and wellbeing.

Photography competition  

A key feature of this year's campaign is the ‘My Happy Place’ Photography Competition, inviting children and young people to venture outdoors and capture images of places that make them feel happy, calm or connected. The competition encourages participants to spend time outside, appreciate their local environment and reflect on the places that positively support their wellbeing.

There are fantastic prizes available for both primary and secondary age categories, including family passes to Wicksteed Park, leisure centre memberships, family activity vouchers and sports bookings. To enter, email your photograph to [email protected] and include your name, age, school, and what is your Happy Place and why does it make you feel good? 

Free family events  

A series of exciting events will take place throughout the month, offering families the chance to get involved in healthy, active and enjoyable experiences.

Colour Run – Sunday 6 September, 10am- 12pm at Irchester Country Park

Families can walk, jog or run a colourful 2km course while being showered with vibrant powder along the route. The event is designed to demonstrate that being active can be fun, inclusive and accessible for everyone. There’ll be a prize draw at the event including a Podington Padel family voucher, and a Rock Up Rushden Lakes £25 voucher.

Family Fun Day – Sunday 13 September, 1pm-4pm at Lodge Park, Corby

Delivered in partnership with the Active Families Team, this free event will feature crazy golf, archery, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, sports activities and opportunities to meet local clubs and community organisations. There’s also the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Corby Leisure Family Fun Day, and Gravity Active Corby bounce pass for four.

Welly Wombles Big Clean-Up – Saturday 19 September, 11am-1pm at Queensway Park, Wellingborough

Families can join the Wellie Wombles and help make a positive difference to their local environment through a community litter pick. The event combines physical activity with environmental action, encouraging pride in local green spaces and community spirit. Attendees can also enter a prize draw to win a Pinnacle Caving Pass, and Ninja Warrior Pass.

Young Chefs Workshop – Saturday 26 September, (Time TBC), at Green Patch, Valley Walk, Kettering

Delivered in partnership with Groundwork Northamptonshire, this workshop will give young people aged 11 years old and over the opportunity to develop practical cooking skills and discover healthy food choices. While participants enjoy the workshop, families can relax with a picnic and outdoor garden games. There’ll also be the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £100 food voucher, and five VIP guest passes for Balance Health Club. 

Switch Up September also encourages families to explore and enjoy the wealth of parks, community venues and outdoor spaces available across North Northamptonshire.

Cllr Brian Benneyworth, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Housing, Public Health and Leisure, said: “Switch Up September is about helping children, young people and families discover that healthy lifestyles can be fun, rewarding and achievable. Through school challenges, community events and opportunities to explore local outdoor spaces, we're encouraging people to make small positive changes that can have a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing. We look forward to seeing families across North Northamptonshire get involved and make the most of everything the campaign has to offer.”

For more information about Switch Up September, community events and how schools can take part, visit the council’s website or follow the council’s social media channels.