Since the success of the primary Youth Health Champions pilot in 2001, dozens of scholars from faculties throughout the town have been efficiently offering assist, recommendation and knowledge to their friends on a spread of well being subjects essential to them together with psychological well being and examination stress, in addition to strengthening Public Health messaging associated to eating regimen and vaping.

Organised by Essex-based Health Talks coaching and consultancy, the peer-to-peer method sees the scheme delivered by younger folks for younger folks and encourages possession and accountability, which analysis exhibits results in behaviour change and improved well being outcomes.

Upon profitable completion of the scheme, Youth Health Champions earn a bespoke qualification from the Royal Society for Public Health. Schools which have taken half within the scheme embrace Southend High School for Boys, St Thomas More High School, The St Christopher School, Belfairs Academy, Cecil Jones Academy, Southend High Schools for Girls, and Elective Home Educated Students.

Qualified Youth Health Champions from The St Christopher School and Belfairs Academy have even filmed a sequence of movies about why they suppose the Youth Health Champion scheme is nice to get entangled in.

The movies, which had been filmed together with Health Talks, may be seen on-line through Health Talks Director Alix Sheppard’s YouTube account.

Alix Sheppard, director of Health Talks, stated: “We wished to make these movies with among the younger individuals who had efficiently accomplished the scheme, to hopefully encourage different younger folks to get entangled and assist make a distinction amongst their friends.

“What higher manner to try this than to listen to straight from the younger individuals who have certified already as Youth Health Champions and at the moment are interested by their future well being and profession decisions.

“Youth Health Champions provide peer support, advice and information to their friends, families, and communities, improving health outcomes and help reduce health inequalities. The series of videos we have produced enable the qualified champions to share their positive experiences across social media to a much wider audience.”

Cllr James Moyies, cupboard member for public well being, added: “It’s actually inspiring to see such a optimistic affect being made by the Youth Health Champions scheme to each the younger folks participating and their friends.

“We wished to get entangled with the scheme as a manner of encouraging younger folks to take extra accountability for their very own private well being and the each day choices they make.

“Some younger folks ignore the truth that the choices they make when they’re youthful will impact their lifelong well being as a result of they cannot see or really feel the instant results of unhealthy habits associated to issues like poor eating regimen and lack of train. However, higher training on the potential injury these behaviours may cause to long-term well being, can persuade younger folks to make higher decisions for themselves going ahead.

“I’m very pleased that we decided to take this innovative approach and use peer-to-peer influence to embed behaviour change and help improve the long-term health outcomes of Southend’s future generation.”

The Youth Health Champions scheme will now be provided to new faculties with a view to beginning in October.