In their own words

Joanne*, aged 10, has been attending one of our cookery classes since we opened in October. Here are Joanne’s reflections….

'I really like eating sweets, crisps and chocolate, but didn’t realise they were so bad for me until I started going to the cookery class.

Chris and Becky have taught me how to cook healthy foods that aren’t boring and we have chats about what sort of foods we should be eating and why. I have asked my mum if we can cook some of the recipes at home. I now choose fruit when we go shopping instead of all the bad stuff. My mum and dad are really surprised.

I still enjoy eating chocolate and crisps but have cut down. I have also joined my school’s dance club and made some new friends. I also take part in the SPHERE holiday club where we do exciting activities such as rock-climbing, parachute games and sailing. We have good fun.'

Richard*, 14, attends Ryde High School, and gives his views on some of the health education programmes organised by SPHERE…

'Health education is usually really boring and we just mess around but this time it was more interesting. We learnt about sex and relationships and we had a nurse come in and talk to us.

It is important for us to know about these things because if we make the wrong decisions then it could stuff up our whole lives.'

*names have been changed