Children and young people make up a third of the UK population. Their health and wellbeing are top priorities for the UK government, and our scientific evidence shows that a healthy lifestyle at an early age is important for long-term health.
LifeLab, created by the University of Southampton in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and University Hospital Southampton (UHS), is a unique initiative where young people take part in fun and engaging sessions, conduct experiments, meet scientists, and learn first-hand why and how to lead healthier lives.
The COVID-19 Warriors programme is an education package that teaches primary school children about the virus, introducing characters who each have superpowers that can limit its spread. Pupils are encouraged to adopt these superpower skills and become COVID Warriors in their own communities.
The COVID-19 Warrior package gives young people the information they need to make the right choices about keeping safe. We are delighted that the Royal Society for Public Health is now supporting the programme and are pleased more schools across the country have access to it.
Doctor Kath Woods-Townsend - LifeLab Programme Lead
Work is now underway to transform the COVID-19 Warrior package into a more widely applicable resource called Health Warriors, which will further support the wider work of LifeLab in engaging children and young people, with the science behind the health messages.
