Children from schools across Sandwell got together at West Bromwich Town Hall to celebrate another year of the Sandwell School Nurse Ambassador Project (SSNAP).

The project encourages children to act as ambassadors for the health of their fellow pupils by promoting all kinds of health and well-being messages from the importance of healthy eating to anti-bullying projects.

Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Simon Hackett said: 'These children are setting a brilliant example. They are really taking responsibility for the message and learning how to communicate to their fellow pupils and teachers. It's the children who have made this project such a success.

Every one of the children talking part and becoming ambassadors for heath and well-being is making a real positive impact.  They are a credit to their schools.'

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for Public Health and Protection added; ‘the children have really been inspired by this project and that’s down to our school nurses and their passion and commitment to the pupils.

By getting our children to learn and talk about things that are important to their future health and well-being now, we are making a positive contribution to a healthier Sandwell in the future.’

Just one of the schools whose pupils gave a presentation to a packed Town Hall was Blackheath Primary School.  Kelcie Johnson, Kate Jones, and Kaitlyn Weston (all aged 10), who told the audience about the importance of healthy eating.  Kelcie Jones (aged 10) also explained why the SSNAP is so important.

'We help to keep (other pupils) healthy and we know where the school nurses are.'

The SSNAP Project was launched in 2012 with its aims being to support children and young people in embracing their own and the health of their own school communities and empowering them to drive forward and inspire their peers in embracing public health.

The project is now in its fifth year and is going from strength to strength.  There are currently over 200 school nurse ambassadors across the authority supporting their schools in a variety of projects ranging from healthy eating road shows to anti-bullying campaigns.

The event at West Bromwich Town Hall was led by young people demonstrating how this student led bespoke programme has evolved and made a difference.

SSNAP continues to develop over time and will continue to do so as students tell us what they want to see in the 2018 SSNAP programme.