Sheffield

Young people in Rother Valley speak out on health
Kevin Barron MP visits Rother Valley youth centre to promote new youth health campaign

Young people at the Kiveton Park Youth and Community Centre in Rother Valley discussed their views and concerns on health with Kevin Barron MP on 20 March 2009 as part of a new campaign. Make Space for Health, which is run by national children’s charity 4Children and supported by Nestlé UK, is an innovative national programme designed to deliver health advice, support and activities in youth centres.

Kevin Barron, MP for Rother Valley said:
“As Chair of the Health Select Committee and MP for Rother Valley, I have read the evidence and witnessed first-hand how health advice can make a real difference to young people’s lives when delivered in places where young people feel comfortable and relaxed. Programmes such as Make Space for Health are vital in ensuring that community agencies work together effectively to help set young people on course for leading healthy, happy lives.”

The event took place following the publication of the TellUs3 Local Authority Report. Encouragingly, the report revealed that 2% fewer young people in Rotherham admitted to having taken drugs than the national average (9% against the national average of 11%). However, less positive news is that the number of young people in the Borough who get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is 3% below the national average (20% against 23%).

Make Space for Health is designed to help young people who may not have access to support in more traditional medical or school settings. It is being developed with the support of an advisory panel of academic, health and Government experts including renowned health columnist Dr Miriam Stoppard.

Young people attending the event participated in a fun cookery demonstration hosted by a Nestlé chef who taught them some quick and simple healthy recipes. Kevin Barron MP then led a discussion with the young people on issues ranging from how healthy they perceive themselves to be to how they would most like to access trustworthy advice and support.

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. Young people and services have told us that, despite some moves towards integration, there's often little co-ordination between agencies on the ground. That is why this programme has been developed to ensure that health support is available in a variety of cross community settings for all young people.”

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.”