Health fears INSPIRE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMME to improve teenage health

In light of escalating concerns over young people's health, national children's charity 4Children and   Nestle UK today announce the launch of Make Space for Health, a programme of teenage health advice and activity to be delivered in youth centres.

Make Space for Health was developed following the startling revelation from the Make Space youth consultation that 60% of teenagers do not know where to go to access health advice. With new findings from the World Health Organisation stating that in England only 9% of 15 year old girls undertake recommended levels of exercise and only 33% of boys eat fruit daily[1], the programme provides a practical programme of community health education for young people.

Make Space for Health aims to help young people who may not have access to health support in more traditional health or school settings and is being developed with the support of an advisory panel of academic, health and Government experts including renowned health columnist Dr Miriam Stoppard. It will be launched as a pilot in three Government pathfinder areas: Essex, Leeds and York, before a nationwide roll-out in July 2009.

Make Space for Health will:-

Bring together all those with a responsibility for young people's health in a local area so teenage community health activities are co-ordinated

Provide fun and accessible health and lifestyle programmes for youth centres to encourage teenagers to make positive changes. It will focus on healthy eating, physical activity, mental and emotional health and personal health through a series of modules entitled EAT, MOVE, FEEL and ME

Support and train youth workers to help young people get fitter and healthier

Dr Miriam Stoppard, renowned doctor, businesswoman and writer, said "We know that it's normal for teenagers to experiment and take risks. We also know that carelessness about health during the teen years can have long term consequences that stay for life. That's why helping teenagers to lead healthier lifestyles is so important and why I am delighted to be involved in Make Space for Health.

"This programme will bring people together in fun activities with resources to make being healthier easier.  We will be making them available where young people want them most - in youth centres. Our aim is to help teenagers understand and take control of their health in a much more hands-on way. That's what Make Space for Health is all about."

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs said: "Experimentation and lack of clear health advice in adolescence can expose young people to serious future health risks. It is essential that we invest in positive, cross-community health interventions which set teenagers to the right track for leading healthy, happy lives."

Alastair Sykes, Nestle UK Chairman & Chief Executive said: "With a 140 year history in food and nutrition research, Nestle is committed to helping consumers of all ages lead healthier lives. Embedding healthy eating and lifestyle behaviours at a young age is critical as it gives our youth the best chance to be healthy adults - this is the core aim of the Make Space for Health programme."

Anne Longfield OBE, CEO 4Children said: "Make Space for Health responds to young people telling us they want to be healthier but don't have enough support or know where to go to get information. Young people and services have told us that, despite some moves towards integration, there's very little co-ordination between agencies on the ground. That is why this programme has been developed to ensure that health support is available in a variety of cross community settings for all young people."