B&Q support work with young people in Craigmillar 
Young people from Castlebrae High School Art Department have been busy redesigning the Craigmillar Drop-In throughout the summer.  With support from B&Q's Interior Design Team at Fort Kinnard, the team have got out the paint brushes and more than a touch of creative spirit to create a fresh new look for our drop-in and groupwork space.  Our thanks to Mark, Fern, Rebecca and Cherise for their inspriational designs and considerable hard work throughout the project and to staff at B&Q for their generous support and guidance. 



Evaluation of Health Opportunities Team is 'universally positive'
At the end of 2007 Health Opportunities Team’s Craigmillar services were independently evaluated by Capital City Partnership on behalf of the Edinburgh Partnership.

The final report reflected the excellence and dedication of the staff team at Health Opportunities Team and the essential relationships the staff have nurtured with young people over the years.

The survey found that 98% of respondents agreed with statement “HOT has helped me to understand the choices that I have” and the same percentage agreed with the statement “I am now better informed regarding my sexual health”.  Many young people reflected the ethos of the agency and the value of having a safe space to seek support:

    “I felt happier than when I went in and also listened to and respected I didn't feel judged”

The feedback received also highlighted that we are held in high regard by our professional peers. Particularly relevant is the positive feedback from the teachers at the schools where we are seen to be an integral part of the school community. The health practitioners similarly rated the project highly with one describing us as a “….high quality consistent service”.  Another colleague from the NHS commented:

    “…[Health Opportunities Team] provides many necessary resources and services to local young people. I believe it evidences work from a strong value base informed by knowledgeable staff and leadership and guided by their experience and skill.”

The report concluded that “This project delivers effective and appropriate education and preventative services to a high needs group at a critical period in their lives. Feedback from peers, from the health and schools sectors and from service users is universally positive.” 

The full report can be downloaded from here.

In 2006 we also conducted an internal evaluation of our services.  This report can be downloaded from here.


Portobello Emotional Health Project 
The Portobello pilot project was completed and was very successful.  Young people who took part in our support programmes had a reduction in their emotional distress.  When we asked them 3 months later, they still felt better.  They were more able to cope when things were difficult and it seems that achieving their own goals had helped them to feel more confident.  A full evaluation report is available - just contact the office if you would like us to send you a copy.

Channel 4 recognises Health Opportunities Team
Earlier this year Channel 4 broadcast a groundbreaking five-part series, seeking to uncover the forbidden territories of teenage sexuality and give the lowdown on facts usually shrouded beneath layers of bravado, misinformation and myth. 

Accompanying this series is a set of resources for teachers and educationalists which recommends Are You Ready For Sex?, a resource produced for young people by Health Opportunities Team.  

More information about the Channel 4 series is available here.

Health Opportunities Team helps shape the new Scottish Curriculum for Excellence
In 2009 the Scottish Education system will adopt a new Curriculum.  The Curriculum for Excellence aims to create world class learning experiences for every child and young person in Scotland from 3 to 18, preparing them for life in the 21st century.  Ministers have made a commitment to reform, simplify and prioritise the curriculum, building on best practice and retaining much of what is good in the Scottish system.   

As part of the development process the work of Health Opportunities Team will be used to inform the health and well-being aspects of the new Curriculum.  This is a fantastic opportunity for our partnership with local schools to be recognised and for our work to contribute to the development of education across Scotland.