CHILDREN have been asked to produce bunting celebrating healthcare professionals who have affected their lives.

Last week Healthwatch Essex launched the Lively Lives! campaign in collaboration with Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups and Princess Alexandra NHS Trust to highlight NHS workers.

The best bunting designer will win £500 worth of activity equipment for their school or club and their image will appear on the front of Heathwatch Essex's magazine, which coincides with the NHS's 70th birthday.

All of the bunting entries will be put on display at hospitals or healthcare settings in Essex from July 5.

Dr David Sollis, CEO of Healthwatch Essex, said: “People working across the county in health and social care environments make a huge difference to children from all walks of life and, as the National Health Service approaches its 70th birthday, we are hoping to capture some amazing stories of children’s lived experience of those services.

“Our engagement activity with children in Essex has shown that many don’t do the recommended amount of exercise. Inactivity is a major cause of lifestyle-related illnesses and, given that we know active children are more likely to become active adults, introducing children to healthy lifestyles early in their lives is important - both for them as individuals and also to ensure that NHS Services are not over-burdened by preventative illnesses in the future.

“As part of this initiative, we hope that teachers and group leaders will take up the opportunity to use our resources to highlight the vast array of career opportunities within the NHS, how to use NHS services wisely and the importance of healthy living."

Visit www.livelylives.org.uk or email daniel.potts@healthwatchessex.org.uk to register and download an entry pack.