Shelf (sexual health service), Peterborough

Shelf is a voluntary organisation created with the aim of bringing new levels of sexual health awareness to the youth of Peterborough, England. It was founded in April 2007 and is now run by four school students (from Jack Hunt School, Peterborough) in conjunction with members of Peterborough City Council and the Peterborough NHS Primary Care Trust. Shelf runs via a website and distributed brochures, which contain information on sexual health.

History

Shelf was originally created as a business idea to be entered into the Big Deal – a national business and enterprise challenge, run by the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY). The competition ran over 10 weeks, and groups of students (aided by a mentor) had to complete weekly tasks, in order to produce a business idea. Over 30 groups entered the competition, and then presented their ideas to a panel of judges, in the style of the BBC’s 'Dragons' Den', at an event held at Aston Business School in July. The four best groups were selected and then presented their ideas again, to all competitors and judges. Team Joey – named after the character in the US TV programme Friends – presented Shelf and won the competition.

The prize was a fully funded trip to New York City which took place in October. As well as sightseeing, the students (accompanied by two teachers and a member of staff from the University of Warwick, England) visited the Goldman Sachs offices, where they presented their ideas once more. Staff were "said to have been impressed with the educational Shelf sexual health website". [ [http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/features/New-York-trip-is-just.3425732.jp New York trip is just the business - Peterborough Today ] ]

An additional prize of the funding necessary to start up the enterprise was personally offered by Glenn Earle (Chief Operating Officer of investment bank Goldman Sach’s European businesses).

Current developments

Since December, Shelf has been meeting with members of the Peterborough NHS Primary Care Trust, Peterborough City Council and DrinkSense to discuss how best the services can be implemented and run alongside what is already in place in Peterborough.

Recently, a full trial of the website has been run for Year 11 students (aged 15-16) in Jack Hunt School, which has given feedback and aided in the development of the website.

The website was officially launched on the 19th March, 2008. A publicised media event was held inviting representatives from across the city.

References