The National Youth Agency

Being Healthy

Below you will find contributions from organisations under the ECM outcome Being Healthy - enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle.

Organisations are listed below alphabetically. Those who have also adopted Hear By Right standards will be identified by the Hear By Right logo. Please follow the link to see all other shared learning which has been contributed.

All contributing organisations are listed alphabetically below:

Barnsley - Parklife
Creating things to do for young people - Developing a Skate Park

Young people identified, during a consultation that there was nowhere for young people in Darton to hang out. A group, Parklife was formed with young people to look at ways in which parks in the area could be improved. Parklife organised a number of events, one of which was a trial skate park. The skate park was a great success and after applying for and receiving funding a permanent skate park is about to be built.

Barnsley - Kendry Youth Play Project
Developments to outdoor provision

Kendry Youth Play Project held a series of events in 2002 to find out what young people thought were priorities for the area. Young people wanted a place for activities such as football and skateboarding. The eighteen month project has contributed to the regeneration of the area and young people now benefit from a skate park, zip line, rock climbing facilities and a music room.

Birmingham - The Maypole Centre
Improving leisure facilities for young people

A group of young people ran a consultation, via questionnaires with other young people on their estate. They found that respondents wanted more facilities for young people, inlcuding a multi purpose sports area, a skate park, seating and shelters. They presented their findings to a group of local decision makers. a multi use game area enabling young people to play basketball and football has been built. A new shelter and bench area has also been created.

Birmingham, Kingstanding - YIP (Youth Inclusion Programme) PAYP
Young people wanted somewhere to go and to be treated as part of the community

Following complaints from local residents YIP facilitated a young people led consultation with local stakeholders. Young people felt that they had nowhere to go to meet and hang out with their friends, that they were being bullied by the police and the community and that they did not feel safe. It was agreed that a local area, Conka Island could be used by young people as a safe meeting place. Litter bins and benches have been provided and football takes place three times a week during the summer.

Blackburn - Adventure Learning Club, Indoor Cave
The need for an indoor cave facility

The Adventure Learning Club is aimed at young people aged 13-18 who are interested in doing new and different activities. Young people suggested caving at a programme planning meeting. Potential problematic issues were discussed such as the weather and the extra cost for external instructors. The building of an indoor cave was suggested as a solution and young people set about raising funds through YOF and also the construction of the cave. A three story indoor cave has been built for many youth groups to use, and includes trap doors for easy exits if needed!

Bolton - Just 4 Girls (J4G), Girls' Forum
The opportunity to take part in non-traditional sporting activities

The Just 4 Girls (J4G) group provides a female environment that allows young women to overcome cultural barriers than can prohibit them from attending other leisure activities. Members of the group formed a Girls' Forum in order to develop the range of activities on offer; in particular they wanted the opportunity to go climbing. They applied for a 'Here to HELP' award and this has helped with employing female only climbing instructors. As a result the J4G group are now able to take part in non-traditional sporting activities and continue to steer the delivery of the sessions.

Bedfordshire - Caddington Young People's Forum
Lack of facilities for young people in the local area

Caddington Young People’s Forum (CYPF) was set up to give young people the opportunity to get their voices heard. The Forum identified that there were few facilities for young people in the village except for a run down youth club. Using money collected from fund raising, a grant and negotiating on price a youth shelter has been bought and constructed. Flood lighting has been installed for an existing MUGA allowing all year round use. After persistent lobbying the local authority has repaired and re-opened the local youth club. Young people have attended a team building adventure weekend and more trips are planned for the future.

Cheshire County Council
To improve services for teenage parents

Young people who attended the clinic did not like one of the radiographers, they also identified problems with transport to the clinic. The radiographer has been replaced with a more approachable member of staff and some services have been developed to be taken out to the young people.

Cheshire County Council
Making the Clinic user friendly for young people

Following constant anti social behaviour by young people at a sexual health clinic, staff and the PCT decided to engage young people and discover their views about the Clinic. Young people felt that the Clinic was not user friendly for young people. Changes made include staff training, availability of a detached youth work team, changes to clinic times and the implementation of a fast track system. The Clinic has remained open.

Cheshire County Council
Improving leisure facilities for young people

Blacon Youth Association consulted with young people to find out what leisure improvements they wanted in their local area. Young people wanted a multi purpose site with a 5 a side pitch, a youth shelter and a skate park/BMX provision. The development has been completed and further expansion is planned for 2007.

Cheshire County Council
To prevent the closure of a residential facility for young disabled people

Children and young people and their parents were consulted about proposals to close a residential facility at their school. Young people said that they did not want it to close and that it offered valuable opportunities to socialise and share activities with their friends. A DVD was produced capturing both the young people's and the parent's views and shown to decision makers. The proposed closure was overturned.

Cornwall - TR14ers Community Dance Team
There was nothing for young people to do

Young people in Camborne did not have enough to do. A meeting between a local police sergeant and a professional choreographer led to the idea of setting up a dance club. A local business man offered the free use of one of his nightclubs and financial gifts and donations from various sources enabled the creation of the TR14ers Community Dance Team. The group holds two-day workshops every school holidays and has regular practice sessions. It has a membership of over 400 young people.

Cornwall - EEFO Programme, CIOSPCT
Improving access to local sexual health services

The EEFO programme seeks to address barriers which prohibit young people from accessing the services that they need. Young people trained to become young assessors i.e. mystery shoppers and went on to evaluate a sample of services offering sexual health provision. Feedback/recommendations from the young assessors have been incorporated into the new quality standards and these will improve access to and improve the service provided by sexual health services for young people.

County Durham - 2D
Wanted the removal of a mosquito device

A young person affected by the installation of a mosquito device in his local town centre decided that he wanted it removed for both his benefit and that of other young people. Supported by a young people’s participation worker he contacted the local press, reported it to the police and registered a complaint to the council. The council, who had installed the device, removed it the next day.

Devon - Indiogos Go Wild
A space for young people, community regeneration

Originally an after school club, Indigos recognised the need for an outdoor area for children and young people to play. Young people were saying that they were getting into trouble playing on the local streets. A local school offered Indigos a disused plot of land that was overgrown and used as a dumping ground. The children, young people and local residents cleared the land and have developed a space for adventure play, with many facilities. Agreed ground rules keep the children and young people safe and offer a space for children and young people to 'go wild', they lead the project and evaluate it themselves. The project has won two government awards because of the positive impact on the local community.

Dorchester - Dorchester Youth Extra
Nowhere to go and nothing to do

Dorchester Youth Extra (DYE), the local youth council, was concerned that there was nothing for young people to do in the area. The local youth club was not even adequately serviced by public transport and so many young people could not attend. Dorchester Youth Extra made a DVD to highlight the issue on behalf of local young people. As a result of the DVD DYE is often invited to contribute to the planning of services, and so is able to effect changes that have a positive impact for young people. Recent changes include; the development of youth parish councils, youth shelters are being built in local villages and in Dorchester itself, the Contraceptive Clinic now has a more discrete entrance, SNAP nights being held at the local nightclub and the development of rural youth hubs in three local villages to provide a place to meet, confidential information services and creative activities. DYE has also joined forces with other youth forums to form the West Dorset YouthBank.

Durham - Investing in Children
Developments at the Children's Ward

Staff on a new hospital ward invited parents and young people to discuss arrangements thereby allowing young people to have a say and directly affect change. Changes have been made in the choice of food and drinks, the information available and the introduction of an appropriate complaints system. Young people have continued to meet and agreed that the ward merited an 'Investment in Children' Award.

Ealing Council, Corporate Parent Committee (CPC) - Semi independence team
Need for support during transition to independent living.

Young people raised the issue of support during the transition from supported to independent living. In addition to practical help young people identified loneliness as a key factor as they found themselves alone in their new home.

The issue was taken to the CPC and a semi-independent outreach team was established. A team of 5 workers now assist care leavers in areas such as budgeting, housing, lifeskills and emotional well being.

Edinburgh - Sighthill Library
Library renovation scheme/reducing anti-social behaviour

Following incidents of anti-social behaviour library staff decided to involve the young people who used to congregate outside with the renovation plans for the library. Young people said that they wanted comfy seats, a listening post and DVD's. In addition to the changes that have been made in terms of facilities, relationships between the young people and library staff have vastly improved, demonstrated by an increase in library usage of 12% over the year.

Huntingdonshire District Council - New Ramp Group
Skate park renovation

Young people formed the New Ramp Group (NRG) and campaigned to have the skate park renovated. After three years of fundraising the young people have raised enough to begin construction. The district council have supported the young people's campaign and liaised with them in relation to the design of the park.

Isle of Wight - Isle of Wight Council/Youth Council
Creating things for young people to do – Developing a MUGA

Young people were elected to the Isle of Wight Youth Council on a manifesto of developing things for young people to do in the local area. After persuading local county and parish councillors of the need for youth provision, they worked with councillors, surveyors and builders on a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). The MUGA has been completed and is open to young people. It is a well used and safe area for young people.

Lancashire - Clitheroe Skate Park Group
The need for a skate park

Back in 1997 young people from Clitheroe had successfully campaigned for a skate park. Over the years, with little maintenance, the park was subject to wear and tear and issues were raised in relation to health and safety. In 2003 the council ripped out the skate park resulting in young people skating in the local bus stops and town centre, which created problems for other residents. A new generation of the skate park group was formed and campaigned for a new park to be built. Young people secured funding and through charitable trusts, gained planning permission from the council and worked in a multi-agency team to address issues in relation to vandalism and maintenance. The new park was opened in 2006 and now attracts young people from all over the UK.

Leeds - Youth on Health
Healthy eating in schools

YoH (Youth on Health) groups were established within the PCT to enable young people to have a say on health issues that mattered to them. Young people conducted research within local schools and came up with a number of proposals to improve the nutritional value of food. They also addressed issues of how lunch times were organised. Changes made include abolishing separate dinning for pupils with packed lunches so friends can sit together, healthy vending machines and the introduction of salad bars and water fountains.

Leeds Youth on Health
Emotional well being

The YoH (Youth on Health) group raised emotional wellbeing and anti-bullying as issues that they would like to research in their schools. Young people have made a number of proposals in order to increase emotional wellbeing and reduce bullying within schools. Changes made include, worry boxes in classrooms, 'bubble time' (space to talk things over), playground friend schemes and friendship stops to avoid isolation at break times.

Leeds - Youth on Health
Improving the school environment

The YoH (Youth on Health) group said they would like to improve the environment within schools. Young people carried out research on environmental issues and came up with proposals to take back into the schools. Changes made include increases in school recycling, composting bins for the kitchens, litter pickers in schools and themed recycling bins in the playground.

London - Young Minds
Mental Health ward provision appropriate for children and young people

Children and young people who had experience of being sectioned were invited to present evidence of their experiences to MP’s and key decision makers in relation to the Mental Health Bill. They argued against young people being held on adult mental health wards. The law has been changed and hospital managers must now make sure that people under the age of 18 are placed in an environment that is suitable for their needs i.e. if an adult ward is not suitable then they cannot be admitted there. Young people have been central to this change in the law.

London Borough of Newham - Discover
Safe places to play

Discover worked with the Children's Discovery Forum to create a garden for children in East London. The children aged four to eleven were involved in the design and planting of the garden. The Discovery Story Garden has been open since August 2002 and provides an interesting space in the heart of Stratford for local children to play in.

North Yorkshire, Richmond - White Lands Action Group
Preventing the destruction of a free play space

Children and young people wanted to stop a planning application for an access road that would have destroyed a long standing play area. They formed an action group made up of local residents, organised a petition, wrote formal letters of opposition and attended planning meetings. The decision has been deferred whilst an alternative access point is found.

Borough of Poole - Carter SHOKK gym
A gym designed specifically for children and young people

Young people wanted a fully equipped gym especially designed for children and young people. Using a questionnaire the young people consulted their peers about gym usage and healthy activities. Following a successful bid to the Youth Capital Fund (YCF) the gym has been built.

Rutland - St Nicholas Primary School
A cycle lane for school children

Children at the school did not agree with Rutland councils plans to build a cycle lane from the town, to a hamlet and then onto a village. Only one child from the school lived in the hamlet whilst over 20 lived in the village. They felt that it would have meant a significant delay for the much greater number of children living in the village. The children mounted a campaign writing letters to the council. The council changed their plans and rerouted the cycle way to the village.

Shropshire - Whitchurch Youth Group
Developments at the Youth Centre

Young people said that they wanted to develop the local youth centre. A local councillor and a youth worker supported the young people in meeting with the Market Town Initiative. Following these meetings and based on the suggestions from young people lighting has been installed at the ball court, walls and fences painted and a new youth shelter has been built.

Shropshire - St Thomas and St Anne CE Primary School
School litter

The school youth council raised school litter as an issue. This coincided with the school's introduction of the National Fruit Scheme. As crisp packets had been particularly identified as a litter problem it was agreed that children would eat fruit at break times and compost bins were provided for a trial period. The scheme was successful and has continued resulting in the reduction of litter and the promotion of healthier eating. The school generates compost now as well!

Solihull - The Children's Society (Ask Us)
Disabled access to play areas

As part of the national 'Ask Us' project Solihull Council Parks Department trained young disabled people to act as researchers and be involved in the design of local play areas. The young researchers gave presentations to council officers and their representatives. Funding through the children's fund was granted to make local parks accessible. Three local parks were redeveloped on the recommendations of the young people to make them inclusive and accessible.

Southampton - Chamberlayne Park School
Support for young carers at school

Young carers at the school meet regularly within the school timetable to share concerns with the school and seek support from each other. As a group the young carers now have permission to use mobile phones at school (unlike other pupils) in order to contact home when needed. They have requested and received extra cookery lessons. They also receive support from the school to deal with issues such as attendance and homework on an individual basis.

Southampton - Freemantle Lake Park
Things to do, places to go

Young people in Freemantle spoke to a youth worker about wanting a youth shelter. A youth forum was set up and young people worked hard campaigning and designing the young shelter with a local artist. After winning the support of local people the council granted planning permission. The youth shelter pavilion was built resulting in a warm place for young people to spend time together, an increase in the use of the park and a reduction in vandalism. Southampton City Council is committed to the cleaning and maintenance of the pavilion.

Staffordshire - Youth Café - The Den
Creating things for young people to do – Developing a youth cafe

There was little for young people to do in their local area. Young people identified, during a consultation that they would like a live music venue. The Den, a youth café with live music facilities is now open and provides a trendy and safe place for young people to go. Young people staff the café and healthy living is promoted through the healthy menu options.

Wiltshire - Aldbourne Youth Council
A need for facilities - BMX jumps

Young people unofficially built dirt jumps to ride their bikes on a piece of disused land at the edge of the village. As the parish owned the land insurance was raised as an issue. The insurance company wouldn't cover the jumps and they were pulled down in January 2006. Young people researched existing tracks and insurance situations to put forward a case to the parish council. They invited an experienced track builder to talk to the council and tackled the issue of fundraising. The council agreed the plans and loaned the cost of the build whilst fundraising continued. As a result of their success in securing their track the young people have formed a youth council and continue to make changes in their village.