The #BeeWell team in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth & Southampton (HIPS) talk through how youth participation has shaped the programme.
A youth-led approach is central to the #BeeWell programme, young people have been involved in making decisions, guiding and supporting each stage of the programme. It has been important to continue this approach throughout the launch to HIPS so that we can act together for change.
We have been working with local VCSE organisations across a six-month period, working with young people to give their views on elements of the programme, including creating a region-wide young people’s group, interpreting the results and sharing views on what is important to them – to tailor our communications and the key areas we highlight to partners.
The groups worked with young people through youth groups, creative activities, pizza nights and creating videos to share their ideas.
Following the feedback from these groups, we have established the ‘Youth Matters’ group who meet monthly and are planning ahead to develop options to improve young people’s wellbeing in response to the data.
To celebrate the work of the groups, we held a central event at UK Youth – Avon Tyrell. 40 young people joined us to look at the headline findings, began to create ideas for change and shared context behind the results in their areas.
We rounded the day off with archery, climbing, high ropes and a tree top trail.
