Trained Youth Health Champions to run health and wellbeing campaigns educating peers and cascading important and current health messages
The sharing of information is more relatable using a peer to peer platform
The Youth Health Champion project compliments schools RSHEE programme and contributes to the Healthy Schools criteria
The Youth Health Champions provide a link between the school and local health agencies forming signposting and joint campaign delivery
The Youth Health Champions have access to a sharing platform with other schools and public health teams which promotes current local and national health and wellbeing campaigns
Increases confidence in healthy behaviours, social norming and positive role models within the school community
Knowledge of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, with particular reference to aspirations and the role and importance of health for our futures
Increased confidence in healthy behaviours, social norming and positive role models
Raise awareness and understanding of health inequalities and how the Youth Health Champion role can help close the gaps and educate peers
Develop confidence and resilience through campaign delivery and the YHC responsibilities
Increased awareness of the risks and current negative trends impacting our young people allowing preventative work/campaigns to be carried out by the Youth Health Champions i.e. vaping, gambling, mental health awareness
Ongoing delivery of health campaigns and “drop in” services from peer educators
The training offers 2 qualifications – Royal Society of Public Health Understanding Health Improvement Level 1 and the Youth Health Champion Level 2 Award (GCSE Equivalent)
Sarah’s journey with the Youth Health Champions Training is a vibrant testament to how an intensive two-day immersion into physical and mental health can redefine your future. In just two days, she was equipped with essential skills to recognise and address health issues, while gaining the confidence to guide her peers to vital support services. Although the training doesn’t make you a professional practitioner, it transforms you into a trusted change-maker—a role that resonates deeply within communities across the UK.
Before the course, Sarah’s grasp of the health and wellbeing landscape was minimal. Yet, after completing the training, she realised just how expansive the “wellbeing umbrella” is—she discovered a wealth of information that many young people never learn. This training covered everything with “no gaps at all,” increased her knowledge and also boosted her self-confidence, leaving her “more resilient and ready to take on whatever happens!” In her eyes, the training’s most impactful contribution is its recognition of young people as powerful change agents, equipped to take what they’ve learned and use it for the greater good.
What makes Sarah’s story especially compelling is her immediate drive to make a difference. When she heard about the Youth Health Champions initiative through her local youth council, her lifelong passion for health and wellbeing propelled her into action. As a home‐schooled student, she was acutely aware of how many peers in similar circumstances miss out on crucial support and guidance. Determined to bridge that gap, Sarah spearheaded the bold “Happy Mind, Happy Life” campaign—a vibrant initiative created to empower home‐schooled children with essential health knowledge and direct access to local supportive services. After innovative brainstorming sessions and a successful collaboration with the Elective Home Education (EHE) editorial team, the campaign poster was featured in the EHE Newsletter to widespread acclaim. The project was celebrated as “inspiring, amazing, innovative, aspiring,” setting a new benchmark for what young leaders can achieve.
The benefits of the Youth Health Champions Training extend far beyond launching a community campaign. For Sarah, the training refined her communication skills, boosted her creative and innovative thinking, and sharpened her leadership and organisational abilities. These advancements opened new career avenues—enhancing her CV, securing interviews, and ultimately leading her to a role in career education, where she supports schools by identifying students who may need extra guidance. Her story illustrates that this training isn’t merely an educational course; it’s a transformative experience that unlocks the potential to become a dynamic influencer who positively impacts peers and broader communities alike.
Looking ahead, Sarah envisions a vibrant network of Youth Health Champions meeting on an annual or bi-annual basis. These regular gatherings would allow champions to share insights, strategise on sustainable health campaigns, and offer direct peer support while continually nurturing the spirit of innovation and community care. Her advice to anyone contemplating the opportunity is unequivocal: “It’s a no-brainer, take the course!” For those eager to gain indispensable skills, enhance personal growth, and drive lasting community impact, the Youth Health Champions Training is the catalyst that transforms potential into powerful progress.
Join the Movement
Empower yourself, inspire others, and help shape a healthier future. With the Youth Health Champions Training, every young person has the power to make a positive difference—challenging outdated stigmas and proving that youth are both knowledgeable and influential. Step into your role as a change-maker, unlock your full potential, and become a beacon of hope in your community. Take the leap today and join a movement that is redefining what young people can achieve.
Our Youth Health Champions project has been amazing. They are always there to support our students. They give up their lunch most days to support the younger students who normally seeks them out. They have recently delivered an assembly to our new year7 students. They have made an appointment with our new head teacher in the next few weeks to explain to her the work they have done over the period of time during which they have become YHCs. I'm so very proud of all they have achieved.
I am writing to extend our sincere thanks for the last year Youth Health Champions training in which seven of our students had the opportunity to participate. The two-day programme was not only informative and engaging, but it has had a truly meaningful impact on both the students involved and our wider school community.
During the training, our students gained valuable knowledge on a wide range of health-related topics, including the definition of health, factors influencing health, long-term health conditions, public health, and access to sexual health services. They were also introduced to the Youth Enquiry Service (YES), which provides vital support to young people. Emotional and mental health support was also covered, with a helpful emphasis on seeking advice from qualified professionals when needed.
Inspired by what they learned, our newly trained Young Health Champions launched a campaign within the school to promote health and wellbeing. They have shown remarkable commitment by giving up their lunch breaks to support younger students who frequently seek them out for guidance and encouragement. Most recently, they delivered an engaging assembly to our new Year 7 students, helping to raise awareness and build a supportive school culture from the very beginning of their journey with us.
We are truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this initiative. It has had a significant and positive impact, and we sincerely hope this valuable project will continue so that more of our younger students can take part in the future.
Thank you once again for your dedication to youth health and empowerment.
Youth Health Champions are not expected to give direct health advice, offer counselling or give one-to-one support.
Instead, they act as 'sign-posters' or links between students and other health professionals and services.
Using various sources of information, including their own experiences, they develop campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness weeks, No Smoking Days, Gambling Awareness lessons and more.
Youth Health Champions are also involved with school committees and councils or pupil voice and steering groups. Some of our existing YHC’s have been invited to join Youth Parliament.
They can support the delivery of RSHEE lessons and organise events during breaks and lunchtimes.
School support for the team requires a YHC School coordinator who, after initial training, will be required for around an hour a week.
The YHC reach is not only confined to school as experience has shown that each YHC has connected with more than 100 people to promote healthy behaviour change.
Champions can share positive health messages with friends and family, helping to improve lifestyle behaviours, break down cultural barriers and tackle myth-busting.
This training is ideally carried out over a two-day out-of-school course, but also been adapted for online delivery.
A team of eight young people from age 14 are recruited by the school and trained for the role using the accredited Royal Society for Public Health Level 2 Certificate for Young Health Champions syllabus.
Students who pass a multiple choice exam gain the RSPH Level 1 Award in Health Improvement. They can then go on to gain the full Level 2 qualification – RSPH | RSPH Level 2 Award for Young Health Champions
They can then offer support to their peers by providing confidential signposting to specialist health professionals. They raise awareness of health issues through the delivery of health promotion campaigns and by acting as healthy role models.
Youth Health Champions carry out the role for one academic year and then assist with the recruitment of the next cohort, sometimes also choosing to continue supporting the development and delivery of campaigns in their school.
It is suggested that a pilot group of 4 schools in the first year paves the way for more schools to join in subsequent years, allows for comprehensive evaluation and is a cost effective way to begin a programme for a local authority.
Project requirements
Training
The training programme has been developed by Health Talks and rigorously evaluated to ensure proper preparation of students and school coordinators for the role they will be carrying out.
Additional training and resources are provided through access to a KHub forum where schools can share information, resources and best practice.
YHC training
The two-day programme for the four pilot schools- up to 32 students per cohort.
This is the role training for students. Up to 8 students will be recruited from each school and will be accompanied to the training by their School Coordinator. The course will consist of:
RSPH Level 2 Certificate for Youth Health Champions, units 1-3 (syllabus only)
Youth Health Champion role and responsibilities
Safeguarding overview
Communication and presentation skills
Team building
Campaign planning and mock delivery to build confidence and practise skills
Research local health services and review the accessibility of young people’s services
Following the training, students need to complete a portfolio of workbooks for assessment. School Coordinators are given the guidance to support students with this task and are also given other optional resources for campaign ideas.
Evaluation
All programmes provided by Health Talks are evaluated, with the provision of a training report and (subject to commissioning) a final yearly report and recommendations for the ongoing development of the programme.
The full evaluation logic model will be developed and agreed with the Commissioner prior to implementation.
