Event, Actions and Initiative Ideas:
- Research student needs or youth needs: Find out what students want and need in their school with respect to their health by running surveys, interviews and looking at national research. Check out the Youth ’12 survey.
- Run health-based activities: Run a boot camp or Zumba lessons for those students who want extra activity to improve their wellbeing.
- Support a cause: Get in behind a cause like Pink Shirt Day - a day that that aims to reduce bullying, and run their own version of this at their school.
- Raise awareness: Increase the awareness of a youth or health issue by running an Awareness Campaign in the school or community.
- Inform policy: Provide advice and assistance in writing the school policy that governs the types and costing of food provided by the school cafeteria.
- Make a submission: Make a submission on the Select Committee Bill that is proposing to get food into low decile schools as a strategy to raise the heath status and educational outcomes of these communities.
- Raise funds for charity: Choose a worthy charity that is present in your community, and raise some money to support a cause you believe in.
- Advise on youth issues: Provide a youth voice aspect when agencies and organisations need to consult about resources and services.
- Provide education and learning: Teach younger students about an aspect of health, such as how to prepare nutritious, easy lunches, or how to treat each other fairly.
- Provide a service: Run a breakfast club for those students who want a healthy breakfast and positive social interaction with their peers.
Tips on initiating a project : The Four Ps
One of the hardest parts of Youth Health Council initiatives is getting them started – the rest is easy. Sometimes there are a few barriers you need to overcome in order to get permission or support from your school. Here are some key things to think about when starting a project.
People
Make sure you use the help of your Key Supporters. Get them to float the idea to the principal and other teachers, making sure they construct a good argument for your case. If possible, get the support of a senior manager, because they can make things happen in a school.
Purpose
Make sure you are really clear on your purpose for doing the project or event, and make sure you are clear about why it is important. Let people know!
Persuasion
When requesting permission or support, back up your arguments with evidence from surveys you have done yourself, or other NZ evidence like the Youth ’07 national survey. Support your purpose with good information.
Preparation
Make sure you are fully ready for your initiative. Draw up a proposal to the principal or Board of Trustees. Make it look and sound flash and people with be more likely to support you.
One of the hardest parts of Youth Health Council initiatives is getting them started – the rest is easy. Sometimes there are a few barriers you need to overcome in order to get permission or support from your school. Here are some key things to think about when starting a project.
People
Make sure you use the help of your Key Supporters. Get them to float the idea to the principal and other teachers, making sure they construct a good argument for your case. If possible, get the support of a senior manager, because they can make things happen in a school.
Purpose
Make sure you are really clear on your purpose for doing the project or event, and make sure you are clear about why it is important. Let people know!
Persuasion
When requesting permission or support, back up your arguments with evidence from surveys you have done yourself, or other NZ evidence like the Youth ’07 national survey. Support your purpose with good information.
Preparation
Make sure you are fully ready for your initiative. Draw up a proposal to the principal or Board of Trustees. Make it look and sound flash and people with be more likely to support you.
