Dudley Youth Service has received national recognition for setting up a youth health forum in Dudley borough.

The Youth on Board Awards is an award scheme for youth participation that selected the Dudley researchers as innovation award winners.

Run in conjunction with Dudley Council and Healthwatch Dudley, the group ran peer led workshops and a survey to encourage young people to talk about health related issues.

Over 1,100 youngsters took part in the survey and the project was so successful that the results were shared as best practice at a National Health Service Youth Forum Conference. Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“We’re so proud of the young people who were involved in the set up and execution of this fantastic award winning project, which firmly puts the health and well being of young people into the spotlight.”

Connor Hill, 16, from Dudley and a member of the group said:

"It is overwhelming to receive an award for the work that we have done collectively as a team. Healthwatch has supported us greatly in all of our antics and we are very proud to have made a contribution the research of young people around mental health conditions which is something the British Youth Council believes in greatly."

For more information call Darren Foley on 01384 815174.