Pupils at schools across Knowsley have been celebrating the end of a six-week creative workshop programme and graduating as Healthy Heroes.
The Healthy Hero Academy is an innovative education programme developed by Explore Partnership CIC and Silly Fish Learning as part of the wider ReCITE initiative. Originally delivered in partnership with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and health partners from across Knowsley, the project has been extended thanks to the Knowsley Primary Care Networks (PCN) which is made up of local GP practices.
The programme uses creative workshops, storytelling, and drama to build children’s understanding of key health topics, with a focus on childhood health and wellbeing.
Each programme runs over six weekly sessions and covers important themes such as germs and handwashing, the immune system, the role of vaccines, healthy eating, and emotional wellbeing. These are brought to life through interactive games, role-play, group challenges, and imaginative storytelling. By the end of the programme, every child “graduates” as a Healthy Hero, equipped with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of pride in taking care of their own health and supporting others.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, has been visiting a number of the graduation ceremonies to speak with the pupils about the programme and the importance of health and wellbeing.
Impact so far:
- Reached over 120 children in local schools through 6-week creative workshop programmes.
- Improved children’s confidence in talking about key health and hygiene topics
- Strengthened collaboration between schools, community partners, and health services.
- Supported family engagement through end of programme school performances and take-home resources.
The programme is helping to build a new generation of health-aware children, supporting early intervention, and reducing health inequalities through a grassroots, community-led approach.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said: “I’m delighted to be visiting these schools and taking part in the graduation ceremony. This is a fantastic programme that helps bring health and hygiene to life for young people and it is great to see these young people so engaged in learning.
“Through programmes such as The Healthy Hero Academy, we can help install good health behaviours in children from an early age.”
Gary See, Director at Explore Partnership, said:“The Healthy Hero Academy really shows what’s possible when schools, our local Primary Care Networks, Knowsley Council and community partners come together with a shared commitment to children’s health. The continued support from the PCNs and the Council has allowed this programme to grow, reaching more pupils and giving them the confidence and knowledge to look after their own wellbeing.
Seeing the children graduate as Healthy Heroes is always one of the most rewarding moments for our team. Their excitement, creativity and willingness to learn is inspiring. They are at the centre of everything we do, and watching them take pride in becoming champions for health shows the real impact of partnership working across Knowsley.”
For more information on the Explore Parntership, visit www.explorepartnership.co.uk