Reminder: EMVY Network Forum Event 2013: Young People and Health - 23 October, Nottingham

Just to remind you that booking is now open for this exciting event taking place on Wednesday 23 October from 10am to 3.30pm at Nottingham Voluntary Action Centre.

The event, which is free for EMVY members and an additional person aged 14 to 25 per EMVY member, is an opportunity for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations across the East Midlands with an interest in young people to:

• Fully understand the changes to the health and social care structures across England;
• Hear about a range of activities taking place to support and improve young people’s health; and
• Directly shape the ability of health and service commissioners to engage young people in the shaping and commissioning of better health and wellbeing services.

The Department of Health have issued clear messages that increasing the voice of young people in health and social care delivery is an important priority moving forward. At the same time young people are being supported to identify and articulate the health and wellbeing issues most relevant to them.

At a time when the entire health system is changing it is important that the needs of young people are fully reflected in the strategic prioritisation of health investment. With a growing population and strain on public expenditure there is great pressure to ensure better outcomes from health services and to ensure healthy lifestyles that promote life-long wellbeing.

VCS groups working with young people play an important role in this agenda:

• Influencing healthy lives and preventing behaviour which can be damaging to health;
• Encouraging and enabling young people to speak up for themselves; and
• Providing vital intelligence on the views and perspectives of young people on a range of health and wellbeing issues.

In order to maximise this role it is important that these organisations fully understand the new system and landscape for health. In particular understanding how health services commissioning now takes place and who exists to listen to local communities and service users and hold services to account.

The outcomes of the event will include:

• Improving the ability to understand and engage with the new health and social care landscape;
• Learning from research and practice around the health of young people;
• Shaping practical models for the engagement of young people in health commissioning and mechanisms for this to happen in the region; and
• Improving the ability for the VCS to articulate the contribution of their work to positive health outcomes.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to meet new faces and reacquaint with others, sharing your expertise and experiences.

To book your place visit https://emvyevent2013.eventbrite.co.uk.

Please note that EMVY members must be responsible for their young person during the event and that there will be a small charge for non-EMVY members and health professionals to attend the event, which will cover lunch.