The Health Hacks Journey 

The programme consisted of three phases, each offering hands-on learning opportunities for the students. 

In Phase 1, the children participated in engaging workshops at their school. They learnt about the importance of exercise, healthy diets, hydration and sleep, all while gaining an understanding of how bones and muscles work within the body. 

During Phase 2, the pupils took part in a community task, where they shared what they had learnt with their families. The children were encouraged to first create a plan, which helped them set realistic goals and made them more likely to stick to healthier choices. They were also encouraged to involve their parent(s)/ career(s) in the process, ensuring a supportive environment for tracking progress and reflecting on how these changes impacted their wellbeing. 

The final phase, Phase 3, involved an interactive visit to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), where the pupils were introduced to a variety of healthcare professionals and went on a guided hospital tour.  

Hospital Visit:

The pupils kicked off their day in the Lecture Theatre, where a Paediatric Nurse, Youth Worker and ROC’s mascot Rocy, led the children in a fun chair yoga session. They also discovered what it’s like to visit the Children and Young People’s Department (CYPD) at the hospital. 

The children had the chance to step into the role of an Operating Department Practitioner (OPD) by wearing theatre PPE including hats and masks. They learnt about the tools used in surgeries, like knee and hip replacements and even handled real implants used in operations.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) demonstrated how they help patients adjust to life after surgery, offering a light-hearted moment when the children’s teacher attempted to put on underpants using adaptive equipment. 

The pupils also participated in a session with an Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Nurse, who taught them about the importance of good hygiene practices. They then tested their knowledge in a fun, interactive quiz.  

Next, the pupils presented their posters, created to showcase their experiences during the community task (Phase 2) and to inspire others to make healthier choices. They proudly shared the positive changes they implemented, how these changes made them feel and the support they received from their families. For instance, one child described how he and his dad now run together weekly, which leaves him feeling happy and energised. 

Feedback from the Pupils  

The children enjoyed the Health Hacks programme, with many highlighting the fun of making casts and doing exercises. Comments like “We got to learn more about our body and we felt what it’s like with a plaster cast on” and “It inspired me to exercise more” demonstrates the impact of the programme. Overall, pupils felt motivated to stay healthy, with many sharing, “I will try to keep it up!”   

Pupils took part in a well-being survey before and after participating in Health Hacks. Since completing the programme, the average happiness score increased by 9% and the average diet healthiness score improved by 15%, based on a 1–5 well-being scale.  
 

The Bournville Village Primary School Year 5 Team said:

“Thank you for letting us be part of the Health Hacks programme! Our children really enjoyed being part of the sessions and gained a good understanding of how important their health is and what they can do to improve it.

“The children had a great experience from visiting the hospital and seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication that is put into supporting patients and recovery. They particularly enjoyed being turned into surgeons, the warm-up exercises with the youth worker and of course using some of the facilities that are available to younger patients (The PS5).”