Summary

The Borders Youth Health Forum (BYHF) was set up to give young people a direct say in shaping local health services. Projects currently under way include:

• The production of the ‘Mind Yer Heid’ DVD. This mental health resource will help school staff, youth workers and health professionals support young people as they explore issues of mental health and well-being. A resource pack will accompany the DVD.
• Another DVD is being produced that will provide school pupils with a virtual tour of local health services. Health staff will be provided with information about the barriers faced by young people who want access to health centres.

Background

In 2006, four young people organised the 'Sex, Drugs and What You Know' conference in Galashiels. They wanted to do more than just raise awareness about issues affecting young people's health. In addition, they had some ideas about how services could be improved.

The conference led to a series of recommendations from young people taking part and the development of the BYHF. Forum members met with a number of health professionals in the Scottish Borders to highlight the recommendations and discuss how these recommendations could be taken forward. Since these initial meetings, BYHF members have been invited to sit on a number of health groups and committees.

Why set up the service?

The BYHF was set up to give young people a direct say in shaping local health services. It’s important that young people have the opportunity to feed into both local and national health services, making recommendations and suggestions for change and improvement.

Who is involved in the service?

The forum is supported by:

• NHS Borders Dialogue
• Youth (Scottish Borders Council)
• Youth Borders

Designing the service

Current forum projects that are relevant to primary care staff include the production of a DVD to provide school pupils with a virtual tour of a local health centre. The DVD features:

• A run-down of available services
• A list of people who can help
• Information about young people's rights and service entitlements

A second part to this project is a resource for healthcare staff. The BYHF is gathering the experiences of young people who have used various health services and will use this as a training tool for healthcare staff. It will focus on the concerns that young people have about accessing health centres and also the positive aspects of these services.

Gillian says: “the BYHF members have done great work over the past three years in establishing the project and taking forward the recommendations of their peers. Health professionals have responded to the requests of the BYHF and are working with them to achieve the changes and developments young people have asked for.”

Outcomes and future developments

The forum has adopted a number of approaches to reach out to young people. These include using the 'Wired' show on Radio Borders and the 'YOB' (Youth of the Borders) section in a regional paper.

A local health page has been developed on the Young Scot Borders website. The website allows users to access information and post questions which are answered by a health worker.

Five local participation panels are in the process of being set up in the Scottish Borders. The young people involved in these panels will be able to help support the BYHF in their work and identify the local health needs of young people.

Contact details

For further information

• Visit the YoungScot website (external link)
• Email Dialogue Youth
• Phone 01896 755110