Interactive Health and wellbeing services launched to help children, young people and parents in Coventry
Children, young people and parents across Coventry now have more ways to quickly and conveniently find advice on staying well physically and mentally.
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust’s (SWFT) Coventry School Nurses have launched two new health focussed websites, one aimed at children and another tailored towards teenagers:
www.healthforkids.co.uk offers a fun way for children to learn about health with games, activities and quizzes.
www.healthforteens.co.uk hosts videos and webchats as well as articles to educate teenagers on a range of health topics such as contraception, mental health, drugs and alcohol.
Both sites were initially designed by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) with input from local children and young people. All the content on both sites is written and overseen by health experts.
Rachel Tompkins, SWFT General Manager of Children, Young People and Family Services said: “We’re really excited to launch these websites because they help us to provide content that is relevant to children and young people. We hope that by engaging with our younger service uses, in a way that is convenient for them, we can empower them to make healthy choices.
Helen Thompson, LPT’s director for Family, Young People and Children’s services, added: “We are delighted that more NHS Trusts are adopting these unique websites. We are confident that just as we have seen in Leicestershire, the websites will facilitate access to the expertise and support of Coventry’s school nursing teams, to make a difference to children, young people and families locally.”
The websites are being offered alongside Chat health, a School Nurse texting service for 11-18 year olds across Coventry. The service enables students to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support. The number to text is 07507 331949.
While SWFT works to provide children and young people with the knowledge and support to keep themselves well, parents often play a part in managing their children’s health. Recognising this, SWFT provides an advice line so parents can contact a school nurse to discuss any child health concerns they may have. The service is known as Parent Line and can be reached by calling 01926 626 590 between 5pm and 8pm Monday to Friday.
To find out more about the services being offered to help children, young people and parents across Coventry an event is being held at Coventry City Centre Library on 11 February 2017 between 09:30 – 15:30. This will be an opportunity for local people to find out more about these valuable resources. Coventry School Nurses will be demonstrating the new websites to children and young people and discussing the dedicated phone line aimed at parents.
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