Budding young rap artist Jayden, from Luton, has written and produced a rap for ChatHealth. The rap was created following a competition in February directed at young people to design a rap to encourage young people across Beds and Luton talk about relationships, bullying and healthy eating among other issues through direct, confidential texts with their school nurses.

ChatHealth, run by Bedfordshire and Luton Children’s Community Health Services, gives young people, aged 11-19, is an anonymous texting service offered by the local school nursing team to support the young people in our community with accessing confidential health advice.

Jayden, 14, who attends Challney High School for boys, said:  “I started listening to music from a young age as a toddler, where at home my mum and dad would play a wide range of music.”

Jayden ‘s parents added:  “It was rap music that stuck with him the most aided by recital of lyrics from his favourite songs including and not limited to Cartoon Network characters.  We  like rap music because it allows story-telling, and can be fused with any music genre and like jeans, never goes out of fashion.  Jayden decided to get involved with the ChatHealth competition because of his love of music and to use it as a tool to help send out an important message about issues affecting young people.”

Head of Music at Challney High School for Boys, Nadia Ruiters added:  “Music has been brought back on to the curriculum last year starting with Year 7 students and one Year 9 GCSE group. This is an exciting time for the school as it is one step closer to embedding the culture of music back into the school.”

Kirsty Younger, CCS School Nurse added. “Over the past year it has been really difficult for young people, within our local community. Jayden’s fantastic rap will hopefully encourage young people to access the service as they will be able to relate to the message delivered within the rap, and give them confidence in access ChatHealth for support with any physical and emotional health needs.   

“Chat Health has supported a number of young people over the past year and one young person stated that she felt able to be honest with the nurse, and the support she received from the Chat Health service enable her to have the confidence to access on-going support face to face, and wouldn't of accessed further intervention without the support from the ChatHealth nurse.”

Jayden's rap can also be viewed here:  https://vimeo.com/521759717/2f2f4515f1

To find out more about ChatHealth visit:
Bedford - www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Bedfordshire-chathealth
Luton -    www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Luton/ChatHealth