The National Youth Agency: Health and wellbeing added to the agendaat LGA annual conference

The National Youth Agency has put health and wellbeing on the agenda at the Local Government Association conference this week. Taking its lead from Transforming Youth Work and Every Child Matters, The NYA is asking each local authority delegate to pledge their commitment to one action on behalf of young people to protect their health and wellbeing.

Possible commitments suggested by The Agency include:

- providing modern, well-equipped and affordable leisure facilities;

- ensuring public transport is accessible and affordable;

- developing more open spaces and safe areas for play; or

- adopting healthy eating policies in schools and public facilities.

"Achieving outcomes of being healthy, staying safe, enjoying, achieving and making a positive contribution has benefits for children, families and the whole of society," said Hilary Spiers, director of communications at The National Youth Agency. "Local authorities have an important role in promoting the wellbeing of their communities. It is in everybody's interest to have young people who are fit - fit for work, fit for society and fit for life."