Associations Contribution To Teenage Pregnancy Reduction in Wirral

Recently produced results from NHS Wirral indicate that over the past decade teenage pregnancy rates have dropped by 21% making Wirral one of the most improved areas in the North West. Marie Armitage, Joint Director of Public Health NHS Wirral said, "it is extremely pleasing to see this reduction as we know most young women become pregnant unintentionally and it can have a damaging effect on their future and the life chances of the child. This success has been achieved through determination and hard work by a number of agencies to provide a better deal for young people in Wirral". In 2003 , Wirral Methodist H.A. successfully lobbied Wirral Borough Council to support its bid to the Housing Corporation for funding under the Safer Communities Housing Fund to build a six bungalow supported housing scheme for teenage mums in passing it over upon completion to Arena Housing to be run alongside their "At Home" housing project in Rock Ferry. Chief Executive of Wirral Methodist HA, Alun Hughes said, "I am pleased that we are able to support the work of the Wirral Teenage Pregnancy Steering Group by using our knowledge of the local housing scene to achieve this development. It is good to know that this has been an instrumental resource in tackling the sad challenge of teenage pregnancy".

6/10/2010

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