There are systematic barriers to investing in adolescent health at the scale that real change requires. Yet the case for investment is clear and widely shared: improving young people's health today creates a triple dividend, benefiting their current wellbeing, their long-term health as adults, and the health of their own children in time. Ambition too often stalls at the level of conversation. Realising meaningful, lasting change means dismantling these barriers from top to bottom.
Creating new momentum
In June, the Well Centre Charity joined partners and colleagues across the sector to contribute to conversations about the future of young people’s health, and to work out what we need to do to get more investment and better services. Meeting at the Oasis St Martin’s Village in Tulse Hill, partners included GPs, youth workers, mental health practitioners, commissioners, politicians, and voluntary sector organisations.
The event was co-chaired by Isra Sulevani, who shared her own experiences of accessing healthcare as a young person. Isra presented the views of young people on the challenges they face, which grounded the event in young people’s perspectives. Other presenters included Elliot Hardisty, Senior Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for the Well Centre Service, Richard Owens, who leads on Children and Young People's Transformation at NHS England. Dr Tom Coffey, a practising GP and the Mayor of London's Health Advisor, and Sarah Holloway, Chief Executive Officer of the Maudsley Charity. Helen Hayes MP concluded the event by reflecting on the conversations, ideas and shared commitment that had filled the day.
The Well Centre Charity is synthesising the many and varied perspectives shared at the event, building a sense of common mission and purpose to take this work forward to improve the health services offer to young people in the UK.
To find out more, email info@wellcentrecharity.org
are systematic barriers to investing in adolescent health at the scale that real change requires. Yet the case for investment is clear and widely shared: improving young people's health today creates a triple dividend, benefiting their current wellbeing, their long-term health as adults, and the health of their own children in time. Ambition too often stalls at the level of conversation. Realising meaningful, lasting change means dismantling these barriers from top to bottom.
In June, the Well Centre Charity joined partners and colleagues across the sector to contribute to conversations about the future of young people’s health, and to work out what we need to do to get more investment and better services. Meeting at the Oasis St Martin’s Village in Tulse Hill, partners included GPs, youth workers, mental health practitioners, commissioners, politicians, and voluntary sector organisations.
The event was co-chaired by Isra Sulevani, who shared her own experiences of accessing healthcare as a young person. Isra presented the views of young people on the challenges they face, which grounded the event in young people’s perspectives. Other presenters included Elliot Hardisty, Senior Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for the Well Centre Service, Richard Owens, who leads on Children and Young People's Transformation at NHS England. Dr Tom Coffey, a practising GP and the Mayor of London's Health Advisor, and Sarah Holloway, Chief Executive Officer of the Maudsley Charity. Helen Hayes MP concluded the event by reflecting on the conversations, ideas and shared commitment that had filled the day.
The Well Centre Charity is synthesising the many and varied perspectives shared at the event, building a sense of common mission and purpose to take this work forward to improve the health services offer to young people in the UK.