Southampton’s LifeLab programme has been nationally recognised for its work to improve the health and wellbeing of young people.
LifeLab is a unique research-based educational programme. It empowers children and young people to understand the science behind their health. This inform the choices they make for their own lives – for their health now, in the future, and for their future families.
It is a collaboration between the University of Southampton, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and University Hospital Southampton.
LifeLab is a winner at last week’s Health & Wellbeing Awards organised by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).
National recognition
The programme was named the winner of the Health at Every Age category.
This celebrates initiatives that improve the health of groups in the here and now and makes efforts to protect their future health.
More than 16,000 students from over 100 schools have visited the faciliy at Southampton General Hospital. It celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
LifeLab Programme Manager, Professor Kath Woods-Townsend said:
“Everyone involved in LifeLab strongly believes that we can improve the health of the population by starting with the younger generation.
"For more than 10 years we have been working with young people, parents and teachers across the city to empower them to make healthier lifestyle choices. This award is recognition that this work makes a real difference."
Expanding programme
LifeLab is a fully resourced, curriculum-linked programme. It gives students an immersive educational experience, so they can understand the science behind the health messages.
It has been expanded to include the Early LifeLab programme. This is now in over 40% of the primary schools in Southampton. It is reaching more than 5,500 children and training almost 300 school staff.
The new resources make the science of the need for a healthy diet, physical activity and sleep more accessible to younger children. This helps them discover why this matters and supports them and their families in making better health choices.
There are also further peer-to-peer opportunities for young people with the ‘Young Health Champions’ qualification, the Young Researcher Training Programme and the Youth panel. These aim to give young people chances to develop research skills, build social connections and foster engagement with their communities. It equips them with tools to support their education and future careers.
'Far reaching benefits'
The RSPH Awards took place in London on Thursday 28th November.
Speaking about LifeLab, RSPH assessors said: “The importance of this programme cannot be underestimated in terms of its impact on lifelong learning and opportunity.
"Health and wellbeing is the foundation of a vibrant community and productive workforce and economy.
"This preventative approach provides far reaching Public Health benefits on an ongoing and enduring basis.”
Image credits: Matthew Walker Photography
Lead photo (left to right). Vishaan Vohra, Lisa Bagust, Kath Woods-Townsend, Donna Lovelock and Maddie Harris.
Second photo (left to right). Lord Patel, President of the RSPH, Lisa Bagust, Donna Lovelock, Kath Woods-Townsend, Maddie Harris, Becky Attwood and Graham Rushbrook.
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