Our Health Champions Scheme is an excellent way of developing health promotion skills in young people, and encouraging them to work in a team environment. Once again, our West Midlands Development Officer, Vickki, was invited back to Barr Beacon School in Walsall to work with Sixth Form students as part of their enrichment programme.
Each year, the students have an option of delivering a health campaign to their peers which focusses on any topic within drugs, alcohol, smoking or gambling. In previous years students have also delivered campaigns on other areas which interest them, such as prostrate or teenage cancer.
The group began by looking at campaign slogans, and importantly what makes an effective and memorable slogan. This was important to ensure their campaign would be impactful.
This year, the group decided to focus alcohol. Vickki began the brainstorming session by asking the students to write down any words they associated with alcohol. From this they could narrow down the area they wanted to focus on. While many of the female students remarked that they would like to cover alcohol and appearance, the male students preferred to address the importance of staying safe on a night out. The students were left with various leaflets to aid their decision-making process, as well as ideas of resources the White Ribbon Association could loan them to accompany their campaign.
As part of the Health Champions Scheme, Vickki will be back at the school to assist with the next part of the campaign process in a few weeks’ time. Check back for more updates!
Our Health Champions Scheme is a fantastic way of engaging your students in health issues. It builds a variety of skills which help equip young people with the next stages of their life. If you would like our Development Officers to deliver a Health Champions Scheme at your school or college, email or call us for more information!