Following the success of HeadStart in schools across Middlesbrough and Redcar in Cleveland, Public Health South Tees is introducing its new programme called HealthStart.
HealthStart aims to develop a whole school approach to health and bring schools closer to public health services.
Improving health and wellbeing of children in schools, improves school attendance, academic performance and overall behaviour.
HealthStart will support schools regarding different aspects of health concerns for their pupils, such as: immunisation, non-communicable diseases, sexual health, oral health, obesity, nutrition, mental wellbeing, smoking & vaping, drug and alcohol etc.
We are initially piloting the programme in eight schools across Middlesbrough and Redcar in Cleveland. We aim to be solution focused. We want to support schools in identifying their health needs and collaborate with them to develop new strategies to address their concerns.
In order to provide better health for our pupils there is no better way than hearing it from them. Therefore, we will also work closely with HeadStart team to understand pupils’ perspectives on what is important to them about their health.
We are excited to see HealthStart take off and create a real difference in health and wellbeing of Children across Middlesbrough and Redcar in Cleveland. Keep an eye out for more updates.
Akshaya Sethunath
Public Health Practitioner,
Published: September 5