WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER, 2014

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PHOTOGRAPHS ATTACHED – 1. ACCEPT & RESPECT POSTER, 2. L-R YOUNG PEOPLE’S NURSE TRACEY SHAY, PERTH & KINROSS CHP CHAIRPERSON LINDA DUNION, JADE CLARK, JESSICA NOLAN, INTERIM LEAD OFFICER EVELYN DEVINE, ALEX MURIE, YOUNG PEOPLE’S HEALTH NURSE SALLY ROBERTSON, KIRSTY PEARSON, HEAD OF CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES SERVICE JULIE FLYNN AND CHLOE STEWART-MCILWRAITH, 3. L-R JADE CLARK, JESSICA NOLAN, ALEX MURIE, KIRSTY PEARSON, CHLOE STEWART-MCILWRAITH

‘Accept & Respect’ message for girls and young women in Perth & Kinross

A group of young people have highlighted the value of ‘Accept & Respect’ among girls and young women.

Kirsty Pearson, Jade Clark, Chloe Stewart-McIlwraith, Jessica Nolan and Alex Murie gave a presentation to the Perth & Kinross Community Health Partnership (CHP) committee on their experiences during the Accept & Respect campaign.

The Accept & Respect scheme is run by Perth & Kinross CHP’s Children, Young People & Families Service in collaboration with Soroptimist International, who funded the project. The initiative aims to provide health and wellbeing support to girls and young women to enable them to reach their full potential.

The girls and young women took part in a 12-week programme of sessions and had the opportunity to communicate with their peers and guide the Accept & Respect campaign.

The group worked together with partner agencies to develop a workshop programme to engage with young women and covered topics such as team building and conflict resolution, exercise and mood and mind, body & soul.

Jade Clark (17) told the committee that she had really enjoyed taking part in the Accept & Respect campaign.

Jade said, “The group has helped me find my voice and to voice my opinions. I am now more willing to try new things. I recently applied for a Health and Social Care Modern Apprenticeship and I have now heard that I have an interview in January.”

Julie Flynn, Head of Children, Young People & Families in Perth & Kinross, said, “The support of the Soroptomists has been invaluable in enabling our experienced Young People’s Health Team to take forward the innovative and worthwhile Accept & Respect campaign project.

“The team wants to ensure that the target audience of young girls is given the opportunity and support to guide the Accept & Respect campaign. It is hoped that after evaluation we can consider the potential roll-out of this project.”

Perth & Kinross CHP chairperson Linda Dunion said, “It's been inspiring to hear about 'Accept & Respect' first-hand.  It's obvious that all the young women have benefited from taking part in such an exciting programme. 

“They have clearly learned new skills and grown in confidence as a result of the work they have done together. 

“All the committee members have been tremendously impressed by what we have heard and are unanimous in our support for this valuable work to help girls and young women fulfil their potential.” 

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134