Schools and Youth Groups

Healthy schools involvement

First Steps Derbyshire have developed 2 DVDs to raise awareness about eating disorders. This includes a DVD featuring young people’s views on eating disorders. This DVD was created and produced by young people from Derby schools and youth groups and is a good tool to help young people explore and challenge the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding eating disorders and mental illness.
 
First Steps has been trained by B-eat and Dove to deliver the Dove Self-Esteem Workshop to schools and youth groups. It's a thought provoking workshop on body image and self esteem workshop designed to help young people aged 11-14 understand and deal with feelings about their physical appearance, and learn how ideal images of beauty are created. The materials have been used with over 600,00 young people in countries including the UK, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Canada. This is part of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund target to reach 5 million young people with educational programmes by 2010
 
We have also been invited by Derby Primary Care Trust to be involved in the delivery of the Healthy Schools scheme in Derby. This scheme was established in 1994 and is a partnership between the local education authority and the PCT as well as other commissioners of services for children and young people. 
This scheme reflects the Government’s commitment to the five national outcomes for children stipulated by Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004:
 
  • Being healthy
  • Staying safe
  • Enjoying and achieving
  • Making a positive contribution
  • Economic well-being.
 
National Healthy School status requires schools to meet criteria in four core themes.
 
  • Personal, social and health education
  • Healthy eating
  • Physical activity
  • Emotional health and well-being
 
We have attended network meetings and forums to raise awareness about eating disorders and the services we offer. We are now on the database of outside agencies for schools to contact for education about eating disorders. If you are from a school or youth group and would like us to deliver a workshop please email danielle.firststepderby@btconnect.com