24/11/2005 - Teenagers to grill public sector heavyweights

Cumbrian teenagers will put leading public service and local authority figures under the spotlight at on Monday to find out how they propose to tackle teenage health and well-being issues.

Cumbria County Council’s “Listening to Teenagers” event begins at 10.00am at Newton Rigg Campus, Penrith, Monday 28th November and will see more than 50 students from schools across the county tackle a top level panel on teen-age health provision.

Cumbria’s Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee published their review of Teenage Health in the county earlier this year.  Research for the review involved more than 1,500 youngsters between 11 and 19 years-of-age and came up with many fascinating findings about the behaviour and attitudes of young people.

The “Listening to Teenagers” event has been arranged so that young people can find out how relevant bodies are taking forward the recommendations prompted by their contributions. 

The panel that will be put under the microscope includes: 

Philip Chappelhow (Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member of Children’s Services) Moira Swann (Cumbria County Council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services)

Tina Long (North Cumbria PCT’s Director of Children’s and Young People's Services) 
Leigh Griffin (Morecambe Bay PCT’s Chief Executive) 
Sian Rees (Connexions Chief Executive) 
Ted Thwaites (Cumbria Police Acting Chief Superintendent) 

The day will begin with a welcome and introduction from county councillor Bert Richardson, chair of the Health and Well Being Scrutiny Committee and 15 year old Ulverston Victoria High School pupil Lois Clifton, chair of the “Listening to Teenagers” event. Attendees will then hear a presentation from Moira Swann entitled “My Vision for Young People”. The conference will then split into groups to work on questions before putting them to the panel.

Bert Richardson, chair of the Health and Well Being Scrutiny Committee says: 

“Everyone involved in the teenage health review is committed to seeking the opinions of young people to make sure we are providing the best possible services to meet their needs. The review really engaged the county’s youngsters and their contribution to the project made it a very real success.

This event is a chance for us to show them that we value their opinions. We are acting on the information they gave us and will continue involving young people in developing the policies that affect them.”

Some of the key research findings of the review were: 

Young people want to be able to get personal access to health advice at places where they already go such as sports clubs, youth clubs and schools.

They want more things to do such as activities and trips, and more places to go, such as places to "hang-out" and quiet places to do homework away from home and school.

Teenagers are realistic about the possibilities of providing services in all parts of a large rural county like Cumbria and many expressed a desire for safe and reliable transport to allow them to use facilities some distance from their homes.

The survey also found: 

A desire for better relations with the police. 
A need for more consistent information on sexual health, drugs, stress, alcohol and smoking. 
Demand for improved access to physical activities, particularly for girls, at lower prices. 
A need for higher quality, healthy food in schools at reasonable cost. 
A desire to be involved in the future development of services for young people. 

Photo Opportunity 

Photo opportunities can be arranged on request through Cumbria County Council's Media Team - Gavin Capstick- 01228 606337