STUDENTS and teachers from schools across Bradford are being invited to mark the first anniversary of what is poised to be the world’s biggest health study of teenagers.
More than 3,000 pupils aged between 13 and 19 have already joined the Age of Wonder project, which breaks new ground in health research in the way it captures their journey from adolescence into adulthood.
As more young people sign up in ever-increasing numbers, a dedicated event is being staged this summer to offer a first-hand insight into the study, which is the latest to be launched by the Born in Bradford (BiB) research programme.
After an enforced three-year absence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its annual BiBFest is bouncing back bigger than ever with its first-ever two-day festival.
Staged at Salts Mill in Saltaire on Monday July 3 and Tuesday July 4, the whole of the first day is exclusively for teachers and students, and dedicated to Age of Wonder - one year on from its launch.
They will be able to find out more about the study, discover its latest findings, shape its future – as well as have the opportunity to sign up.
Throughout the fun-filled day, there will be a raft of hands-on activity sessions and workshops focussed on
career development and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, as well as music from DJs from
Bradford’s Youth Music network and a wide range of stalls where young people can explore everything from virtual reality experiences to
air pollution monitoring.
These will range from media training sessions by ex-BBC Radio Leeds and
Telegraph & Argus reporter, Mark Brealey, from Saltaire, and a photography demonstration by Carolyn Mendelsohn, one of Born in Bradford’s artists-in-residence, exploring the links between art and research.
There will also be a presentation and question and answer session on mental health, focusing on kindness, compassion and understanding, with support from apprentices from the
Bradford Healthy Minds service.
In a further showcasing of home-grown Bradford talent, Shipley-based People Powered Press will be a large art installation on the day, which will include creative writing contributions from young people on the theme of
“Nothing about us without us”.
One of the main highlights of the event will be a panel discussion involving leading figures from across the community. Among those on hand who will be answering questions posed by young people will be
Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England CBE and
Chief Investigator and Founder of the Born in Bradford research programme, Professor John Wright.
He said: “The day is designed to have a true festival feel. We look forward to welcoming many hundreds of young people and teachers joining us to celebrate the first birthday of what promises to be the most important health research study of a generation.
“Simply by taking part, young people can play a key role in helping to uncover any patterns and anomalies in their health and wellbeing, as well as identify any prevalent social inequalities.”
The Bradford Institute for Health Research (BIHR), based at the city’s Royal Infirmary, has secured £7m from the Wellcome Trust to deliver the project, which ultimately aims to recruit up to 30,000 Bradford young people.
Researchers will take simple health measurements over seven years, such as height, weight and blood pressure, as well as use digital questionnaires to understand young people’s experiences of topics ranging from mental wellbeing to the environment to social
media.
By harnessing all this confidential data, it will equip the Age of Wonder team with an unparalleled insight into every aspect of what it is like to grow up in Bradford - the youngest city in the UK with almost a third of people aged under 20.
It hopes that this will help uncover any patterns and anomalies in the health and wellbeing of the cohort taking part, as well as identify any prevalent social inequalities.
- Young people and teachers interested in attending on Monday July 3 can book their free places by completing this form
https://bit.ly/3GP5rNw. Registration opens between 9.30am and 10am, and the day is due to finish at 2.30pm. Activities will be tailored to students in years 10 and 11 although the event is open to all ages. Further information
is available by emailing bibageofwonder@bthft.nhs.uk
See the Bib Fest Flyer