5. Shoebury Health Fest: Co-created by Kids

We are developing a community health-themed project in Shoeburyness, made up of two connected elements: 1. Planning the event – led by children 2. Delivering the event – shaped by the children’s ideas and supported by families and local partners Element 1: Co-Production and Planning of Children-led Mini Events (Led by Children) The first phase of the project focuses on co-producing the event with children aged 8 and above. They will be grouped by age and supported by local parents and volunteers. Each group will: - Take part in two planning sessions (e.g. at East Beach or Garrison Cricket Ground) - Use simple resources to brainstorm ideas - Learn skills like organising and decision-making - Help advertise the event - One reflection session to help them reflect on their achievements This stage helps ensure the children are codesigners, helping to shape what health means to them and how it should be shared with others. Element 2: Delivering the Community Health Event The second phase is the public event, which will bring together the children’s ideas with local health partners and community members. It will have three strands: 1. Children-led Mini Events Each age group will deliver an activity they’ve planned, such as movement-based challenges, games, music, or storytelling with a focus on physical or mental health and wellbeing. 2. Health Professionals’ Corner We will invite local GP surgeries, dentists, school nurses, the Lighthouse team, the Livewell team and health / medical students and professionals from Southend Hospital to take part. We will encourage them to: - Demonstrate health principles in child-friendly ways - Share career experiences to raise aspirations - Discuss health research in an accessible format 3. Shared Food Space To support social connection, we’ll approach ASDA, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and local shops for fruit/food donations. A food budget is included in case donations are limited. If there is leftover food, we will donate it to Shoebury Ark. We also plan to invite Bayo (our local MP) who has shown an interest in youth voices (ie following on from his Youth Summit) along with local councillors and the Southend Children and Public Health teams. This will offer them a unique opportunity to hear directly from children about what health means to them and the changes they want to see in Shoeburyness and Southend more broadly. When and Where? The timing and location of the event will be flexible and shaped in part by the children’s time and preferences. We would like to hold it during the summer holidays (before 1st September), but depending on plans and capacity, it may take place during the October half term. Potential venues include St Peter’s Church Hall or a local public green space. The final choice will depend on permissions, logistics, and weather (but it will be somewhere accessible, local and that the children are happy with).