Dudley Young Health Champions

Dudley Young Health Champions (DYHC) is an initiative that seeks to empower Young People across the borough to have their voices heard. The programme aims to recruit Young People aged 11-25 from schools, colleges and community groups to become champions in their settings and to raise awareness about a variety of health-related topics. DYHCs are given opportunities to help shape future services by working with key decision makers by sharing their experiences and feeding back what it is important to them.

Become a DYHC

If you are interested in becoming a DYHC or learning more about the programme, please get in touch by emailing: info@dudleycvs.org.uk

6 Week Training Programme:

Week 1: What is a DYHC?
Week 2: Safeguarding, Signposting and being a role model
Week 3: Qualities in a team & Project planning
Weeks 4 & 5: Independent project creation
Week 6: Project presentation and celebration

The Health Wheel

One of the first projects completed by our health champions was the creation of the health wheel.

While completing their DYHC training, students at Beacon Hill Academy identified that health covers a wide range of topics, each as important as the other. They felt that it would be easier to communicate and for others to understand these topics through a visual aid. As part of their project work they created the health wheel. Each section of the wheel can be easily recognised through bright colours and helps other young people understand the importance of looking after our health.

The health wheel is now an integral of both iZone and DYHC. It is a great example of youth peoples thoughts, ideas and hard work being brought to life and put into action.

Project idea by DYHC

One highlight has been a project at Pegasus Academy that focused on isolation and loneliness. Our DYHC’s had noticed that several pupils seem to spend their breaktimes and lunchtimes alone and so the Lunch Lounge was born, a place to make new friends, connect with others, learn a news skill and grab a quick drink and a snack.

Posters have been designed, alongside a power point presentation, highlighting the benefits of connection and friendship. The Pegasus cohort of DYHC’s set about learning how to do some basic craft and each of them now know how to make a mobile phone charm, a key charm, a football themed charm or a bracelet.