Hertfordshire

Young people in Hemel Hempstead get cooking with Mike Penning MP

Young people from Bennetts End Adventure Playground (Hemel Hempstead) took part in an interactive, creative cookery session with their local MP, Mike Penning, on Friday 19 February 2010 as part of a national youth health campaign. Make Space for Health delivers health advice and activities in youth clubs and facilitates better ‘joined-up’ health support for young people at a national and local level.

Mike Penning, Shadow Health Minister and MP for Hemel Hempstead said:
“Campaigns like Make Space for Health show how informal places like youth clubs can be used in a really effective way to raise awareness of important issues like health. Young people deserve to have high quality health information and support that meets their needs, provided in places where they feel comfortable.”

Young people attending the event participated in a fun, interactive cookery demonstration hosted by a professional Nestlé chef who taught them some quick and simple healthy recipes. Mike Penning MP then led a quiz session on health related issues.

Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children, said:
“Make Space for Health responds to young people telling us they want to be healthier but don't have enough support or know where to go to get information. That’s why this programme has been developed to ensure that health services are available in a variety of community settings so that all young people have the right kind of support at their fingertips.”

Paul Grimwood, CEO, Nestlé UK, said:
“Encouraging young people to adopt healthy eating habits at a young age is critical as it gives them the best possible chance of becoming healthy adults later in life.  We are proud to be supporting the Make Space for Health programme which promotes healthy lifestyles to young people outside of school.  With over 140 years of experience in food and nutrition research Nestlé is committed to adding value to the communities in which we operate and placing nutrition, health and wellness at the heart of everything we do.”

Cllr Colette Wyatt-Lowe, portfolio holder for Community Services and Public Protection at Dacorum Borough Council, said:
“It is great that this programme is being rolled out and has come to Dacorum. It’s shown how important it is to talk to young people about their views, their experiences and the kind of approach that would help them. We hope it is a fantastic experience for everyone attending.”

The event took place following the release of statistics from the 2008 TellUs3 Local Authority Report which revealed that the number of young people from Hertfordshire who thought they received sufficient information on alcohol, smoking and drugs was higher than the national average. However bullying was highlighted as a potential concern, with 32% of young people saying they did not think their schools dealt with bullying ‘very well’ against a national average of 28%.

For the past year, Make Space for Health has created, developed and tested fun and accessible health and lifestyle programmes in youth clubs. The programme modules focus on healthy eating, physical activity and mental and emotional health. The modules have been piloted in three areas and an evaluation of their impact has revealed impressive results.