Local NHS and social care services have much to learn from the experiences of young people in Essex living in deprived areas, says a new report titled SWEET! that has been published by Healthwatch Essex.
The Charity joined forces with Achievement Through Football (ATF), a local community-based affiliated football club, to engage with over 200 local young people considered hard-to-reach in the Southend, Castle Point and Rochford areas. These include young people living in social housing, those at risk of exclusion from school, ex-offenders, and youngsters in the gipsy, traveller and Roma communities.
By working in partnership with an organisation already known and trusted by these young people, Healthwatch Essex was able to find out about their personal and often very difficult experiences of NHS and social care services.
The participants were asked about their experiences of social services and family life, youth offending, housing, mental health, public health, GPs, hospitals, A&E and walk-in centres.
The SWEET! report (Services We Experience in Essex Today), published on Thursday 3 March 2016, found the young people had valuable stories to share. Despite using a range of services, these young people often did not get the support, treatment or advice they needed.
It seemed to take forever for anyone to take me seriously or help me, said Ryan (not his real name) in relation to his struggles with mental health issues.
Too often, these youngsters felt as though they were not heard or viewed as important. This, in turn, could lead to unhealthy behaviour and a lack of concern for the consequences of their actions or their futures.
Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Essex, said, Hard-to-reach does not mean impossible to reach. We encourage commissioners and providers of NHS and social care to find innovative ways to engage with these groups of young people and to use their lived experience to shape their services.
Terry Baker, Head Coach of ATF, said, The young people we spoke to felt passionate about being heard and using their experiences to shape change. This report shows the value of trying to embed the voice of young people in decisions made around the services they use and need.
The SWEET! report makes a number of recommendations that health and care services can use to better engage with young people. These include making services more joined-up; making sure young people are aware of the support they can access; working with trusted sources in their community to provide information and support; and promoting walk-in centres, pharmacies and NHS 111 as alternatives to A&E.
The findings of the report are being shared with NHS and social care decision-makers following the report launch at a special meeting in Southend-on-Sea on Thursday 3 March 2016.
To read more about the recommendations which set out ways in which the health and care services can help these young people more effectively, read the report.
And the story doesnt end there, with Healthwatch Essex already starting to plan SWEET! 2 which will be launching later this year and focusing on marginalised young people in Tendring. Read more click here.
For more information on the work of Healthwatch Essex visit www.healthwatchessex.org.uk and check out the Lived Experience training course.
If you require health and safety training for your job, then you're in the right place. We've certified hundreds of thousands of people around the world using our video-based online and blended courses, and you can join them.
Previous article: Healthwatch Essex report underpins new plan to improve mental health for children and young people
Next article: Powerful testimonies at 555 event
Comments