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Local MP and Health minister Simon Burns has spoken out for young people’s health at a Make Space for Health interactive cookery event the Essex Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Chelmsford.

Simon and boys from the club were taught by Nestle chef Steven Oram how to make two types of wraps: a healthy chicken salad savoury wrap and a fruit salad pancake wrap.

After the event, some of the boys said they would be trying the recipes at home.

“I am delighted to be attending this innovative and exciting project which involves young people in learning about a healthier lifestyle in an interesting and interactive way,” said Simon Burns.

“It will encourage young people to adopt better and healthier eating habits which can only be of benefit to them,” he added.

There was also a quiz on healthy eating, with the young people awarded sports vouchers for the best advertising slogan for the chicken wrap.

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of 4Children – the charity behind the campaign – 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.

"This programme works to ensure that health services are available in a variety of community settings so that young people can have the help they need at their fingertips.”In Essex, research into young people’s opinions for TellUs 4 found young people in Essex are generally good at keeping fit, with 37 per cent participating in physical activity every lunchtime and 90 per cent doing something active after school at least once a week. However, there is still some way to go, with only 19 per cent getting their 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and 10 per cent saying more information about healthy living would be one of the top three ways to improve their standard of living. ^[i]  

“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,” explained Paul Grimwood, CEO of Nestlé UK.“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,” he added.