Young people in over 130 secondary schools will be invited to have their say on the issues that matter to them most, as a pioneering youth-centred wellbeing programme gets underway in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.
A survey delivered by the #BeeWell programme launched on Monday 18 September in participating secondary, special and independent schools, as well as alternative provision settings, seeking the views of Year 8 and 10 students on a range of topics including their emotions, relationships, aspirations, and health.
The results of the survey will be shared from March 2024 in a bid to influence and improve wellbeing services for young people. Participating schools, communities, voluntary sector organisations, and young people themselves are amongst those who will be called on to act on the survey results and help bring about positive change to wellbeing provision for young people, both locally and nationally.
Cllr Suzy Horton, Portsmouth City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families, said: “It’s great that Portsmouth children will be sharing their views on the subjects that really matter to them as part of this great programme. Young people’s voices are so important when it comes to looking at how we can improve the services we provide, so I really look forward to seeing the results.”
David Gregson, founder of #BeeWell, said “It is crucial that we hear directly from young people themselves in conversations about their wellbeing. I’m delighted that such a high proportion of schools – and such a wide range of schools – in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, have committed to taking part in the #BeeWell survey this autumn. The feedback young people share will give weight to wider debate about their wellbeing, informing how we collectively act to deliver improvements.”
Having originated in Greater Manchester in 2021, the #BeeWell programme has already heard from over 60,000 young people and inspired partners including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Arts Council England and local voluntary sector organisations to bring significant new investment into wellbeing provision for young people.
It has also provided opportunities for young people in Greater Manchester to undertake new health qualifications, discuss survey findings with politicians, and even commission new wellbeing activities in their local communities.
The programme in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton will see annual surveys delivered in participating schools over the next three years from September 2023.
While registration to deliver this year’s survey has now closed, schools who have not signed up can still take part next year. Local schools interested in being involved can email hiow.beewell@hants.gov.uk to find out more.