Young people get the chance to chat with NHS chiefs in Bradford as part of a healthy lifestyle event

Most wouldn't be conscious about their health - unless there is an issue of concern - as there are so many other things to occupy their time.

But with the focus on healthy lifestyles dominating headlines it's no surprise young people are taking more interest.

'Your Future, Your Health' is the second event of its kind in Bradford and was instigated by young people involved with the children's charity, Barnardos, who wanted a health-themed event focusing on them and their peers.

Organised by Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven; Bradford City and Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Groups; Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; NHS Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Airedale NH Foundation Trust, the event takes place at Bradford City Football Club's Valley Parade Stadium on October 18.

Sessions, running from 10am until noon and from 1 until 3pm focus on three key objectives, according to the project lead, Paul Hogg, trust secretary of Bradford District Care Foundation Trust.

"The first is providing information to young people to raise awareness of their own health care," he explains.

Aimed at the 14 to 18s, the event is targetting those who are approaching GCSEs and other qualifications, and raising awareness of the services and support available to them across the district.

Young people can also find out more about volunteering opportunities in the local community and participate in a survey to let them have their say or find out further information about the NHS.

They can also learn about careers. Mr Hogg says often the focus tends to be on roles such as doctors and nurses, but young people can also learn about potential professions they may want to pursue such as HR; finance and computing as well as other non-clinical areas.

They will also have the opportunity to get an insight into certain careers through apprentices who will be sharing their experiences.

Other organisations involved in the event include Yorkshire Ambulance service who will be running CPR training sessions.

Mr Hogg explains a new initiative for this year's event is the opportunity for young people to 'Meet the Leaders.'

"Young people can talk to the top leaders in the patch about their experience, how they have come into the NHS," says Mr Hogg.

They will have the opportunity to pitch their questions to chief executives; medical directors; junior doctors; nurses and physio therapists.

Participants can also find out more about further education available at colleges and universities which is particularly useful for those wanting to go to medical school.

There will be stalls offering advice and information on all aspects of living a healthy lifestyle including nutrition and keeping a healthy weight.

"It links into the healthy lifestyle; into living well and also if people are getting overweight or obese or not exercising there are complications when they get older," says Mr Hogg.

Information on issues such as mental health and drug and alcohol awareness will be available and organisations such as Carers Resource will offer advice and support to those who may be young carers.

Mr Hogg explains the decision to run a second event, following the initial one held at the same venue in 2015,

was prompted following the positive response received from those involved.

"Last time you could see the energy in the room," recalls Mr Hogg.

There are currently 400 students booked on to this year's event.

"It is coming back to the bigger picture around health and social care and giving them that information point; bringing all these things together in one place for a day is a great resource for young people."

Among the schools who have already signed up to take part are Bradford; Keighley and Shipley colleges, South Craven School and Bradford Girls Grammar.

Mark Harrison, head of health and social care at Shipley College, is attending the event for the second time with 50 students from the college.

He says as well as giving students an insight into improving their own health and well-being, something they may not even consider at 16, 17 and 18, they also get the opportunity to meet professionals in professions they hope to pursue.

"We think it is important because they get to meet professionals in the industry, in the NHS," says Mr Harrison.

Adds Mr Hogg: "It is about developing their own healthy lifestyle and their own mental well being - that young people can understand there is help out there," adds Mr Hogg.

For more information about the event, or to get involved, call 01274 363430 or email rita.harrison@bdct.nhs.uk