John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre have been working with Herefordshire Healthwatch for several months as part of the Youthwatch project. A student mental health forum has been formed by students in Years 7, 9 and 10. The group meet on a regular basis with Amy Chandler from Healthwatch alongside Trixie Clarke, assistant head and mental health lead.
The forum group are very passionate about supporting their own mental health as well as the health of their peers. Discussions centre around how to stay happy, healthy and successful as well as how to help others within school and in the local community.
Dr Lenane also works alongside Healthwatch Herefordshire in his capacity as medical lead. He is a regular visitor to John Kyrle and has supported the school by taking assemblies and offering advice to students and staff.
A number of students from the mental health forum recently took part in a question and answer session with Dr Lenane at John Kyrle. The session was filmed and the students were given a voice to discuss health and social care issues that matter to them. The film will be used in order to promote the work accomplished by Youthwatch.
John Kyrle High School is the first school in Herefordshire to work with Healthwatch and it is hoped the views and comments made by our young people will shape support services now and for the future.