Whilst the 15 - 17 year conception rates continue to fall in the South West (dropping by more than 13 per cent between 1998 and 2003), everyone recognises that it is essential that young men are engaged and supported in their sexual health development.
2005 will see the continuation of last year’s successful programme for ‘Boys and Young Men’, which was piloted in this region. The media programme, aimed at encouraging teenage fathers to feel more positive about parenting, used a variety of methods such as graffiti boards, photography and film making to express what is feels like to be a young father.
Encouraging them in a range of media projects, such as creating their own CDs, getting involved in drama productions, video and multi-media, raised their self-esteem and broke the damaging stereotype of ‘young layabout – doesn’t care’. In feeling more positive about themselves young fathers have been more responsive to other help, such as with housing.
The South West Boys and Young Men’s network forum, operates across the region and brings together good practice and support for workers who work with young men.
In addition, Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Boards ensure good quality education in sex and relationships is delivered in and out of schools, that young people have access to appropriate sexual health services, and that teenage parents are supported in housing, education, training, childcare and benefits.
Our role
We:
- contribute financially to the ‘Boys and Young Men’ media project
- fund and support the South West Boys and Young Men's network
- ensure that good practice from this work is fed back to inform Department for Education and Skills (DfES) policy in Teenage Pregnancy.
