10,000 children benefit from booklet helping them stay healthy and well

A new booklet which was given to more than 10,000 schoolchildren is helping them to look after their health and wellbeing better.

The brainchild of Kent School Health District Manager Helen Sharman, the booklet, which was co-designed with the pupils, has resulted in a 19 per cent improvement in their health and wellbeing, with a noticeable difference in how well children clean their teeth.

Knowing how to brush teeth properly, what to do if you feel sad and who to speak to if there is a problem at home, were all included, after children said these were the things which mattered to them.

From the outset Helen Sharman wanted to know what children would find helpful.

She said: “I worked with children in year three at Halfway Houses Primary School in Sheerness, as well as parents, carers and teachers, to identify concerns about their health and wellbeing. The main themes which came out were accidents, such as breaking bones or accidentally cutting themselves, dental concerns such as cavities and also their wellbeing, with them wanting to know what they could do if they were feeling sad, upset or angry.

“Various options were discussed including having a special assembly, or a video, but pupils said they would like a booklet which they could take home and refer back to.”

Helen was prompted by a national recommendation that giving additional support to year three children is beneficial, as well as the health needs assessments which already happen in reception year and year six at primary school and years 10 and 12 at secondary.

She said: “It is recommended that there should be a year three contact too, to build resilience and emotional wellbeing for young people. I didn’t want to just put something together, it was important we listened to what children needed and wanted.”

The booklet was produced by the School Health Team at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and was funded by Kent County Council, which commissions KCHFT to run the Healthy Child Programme.

It was trialled in three schools in east Kent, before being rolled out to others and has now been given to more than 10,000 year three children across the county.

Helen worked with KCHFT’s dental team, dietitians and counsellors to put top tips into the booklet. Children drew pictures to include, which were adapted by the KCHFT Communications Team and the booklet also has breathing techniques to aid relaxation and activities such as word searches.

Helen said: “The booklet was child led and is child friendly. It goes home with pupils and includes a QR code which parents can scan if they want further help from our services.

“It includes strategies to support a young person to establish a healthy lifestyle and routine, to support themselves. We’ve had positive feedback. When our School Health Team presented the booklet in schools, children said they enjoyed the sessions. Teachers have shared that the booklet has supported their personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) sessions in school.”

Lyndsay Fordyce, who was the Head of School at Halfway Houses Primary, Sheerness, until July, before moving on to new ventures, said: “As a school we enjoyed being a part of the process and feeling like the children's voices were heard in the development of the leaflet.  I feel that it is great that the children could have ownership of it and feel like they were part of something wider than our school community. They enjoyed being a part of the process and seeing the finished result.

“The booklet has been used and discussed with the children both at home and at school and they found it very useful as a starting point for further conversations and as a reminder about how to keep themselves fit and healthy. Thank you for involving us in the process.”