An innovative integrated health and social care service, based in Birmingham, has launched a podcast aimed at supporting children and families to live happier, healthier lives.

Sparkbrook Children’s Zone, a pioneering NHS England funded community service delivered in partnership with GSA, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and South Doc Services in a local Primary Care Network of nine GP surgeries, has launched a children’s health podcast.

With episodes covering a diverse range of topics from fussy eating, and child development to benefits advice the Sparkbrook Children’s Zone (SCZ) Podcast is a treasure trove of useful information for families.

The podcast takes a conversational approach where the host is joined by a Children’s Doctor and Family Support Advisor to discuss issues relating to childhood and family life.

Dr Caroline Wolhuter, our Head of Prevention and Early Intervention, said: “We created this podcast because we know that SCZ holds a unique position by having access to both medical, health promotion and family support professionals in the same space.

“The purpose of this podcast is to provide accessible information and advice from both our NHS Doctors, and our Early Help Family Support Advisors.

“The service runs both surgeries in GP clinics and community outreach, and within our clinic settings children between 0-16 and their families can come and get support from a nurse, doctor, and family support advisor. We know how valuable receiving this wrap around support has been for the families we work with, and we hope to offer some of this in our podcast.”

The podcasts are recorded at Concord Youth Centre, located in Sparkbrook, who allow SCZ use of their audio equipment.

South Doc Services, a non-profit making GP co-operative based in South Birmingham,  have supported the podcast by sending a link to the SCZ podcast to all adult patients registered with their practice.

The SCZ podcast can be found on two leading platforms (see below) with episodes lasting around 15 minutes making them an easy listen.

Find out more about Sparkbrook Children’s Zone and listen to their podcasts here: Sparkbrook Children's Zone.