Healthwatch group formed for young people who express views on graffiti board

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HWCB) held a health and wellbeing event at Center Parcs, Woburn Forest, where more than 85 youngsters had the chance to air their experiences of health, social care and wellbeing services and offer ideas for improving services.

Those attending took part in a range of activities which included a theatre group, Big Brother style filming, themed workshops and a graffiti artist, designed to encourage young people to speak to the commissioners and providers of services about the support they feel they need.

All the young people attending were invited to contribute to the design of a graffiti board, creating an artistic showcase expressing how they feel about health and other issues affecting their wellbeing.

A Young Healthwatch was formed which will be working on specific projects that aim to improve health and wellbeing for young people in the district.

The graffiti board is on display at Priory House, the offices of Central Bedfordshire Council and Cllr Carole Hegley, executive member for social care and housing, met alongside the display with members of the newly formed Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire Group, HWCB staff and volunteers.

Diana Blackmun, chief executive officer of Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire said: “This event was a great success as it gave many young people the opportunity to share their experiences of health and social care services, to speak out and have their say. The graffiti board is an excellent visual example of young people expressing their thoughts and opinions about the issues and concerns affecting them.”

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HWCB) was established in 2013 to put the voice of local residents at the heart of health and social care and to play a vital role in gathering the views, and understanding the experiences of, patients and the public. This includes both adults and children.

Visit www.healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk or call 0300 303 8554.