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Pit Stop Health Checks

The Corner is a city-centre based health and information service for young people aged 11-25 years supported by funding from NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council and the Scottish Government.

As part of Men’s Health Month, there will be "Pit Stop" health checks at the Overgate Centre on Saturday (June 21) from 9am to 5pm.  This will be a fun, interactive and positive intervention to raise awareness of health issues for young men, provide access to relevant information and onward referral to other services if required.

The Corner staff aim to encourage young men in Dundee to think about how their lifestyles can impact on their own health.

With the support of Knockhill Racing who are providing a racing car on the day, staff will offer Corner Pit Stop health MOT checks outside the Overgate, near the City Churches, where any young man from the age of 16 to 25 can come into the Pit Lane and have his "Engine" [blood pressure], "Maintenance" (body mass index - BMI), "Satellite Navigation" (Mental Health) and "Under the Bonnet" (Sexual Health) checked and discussed members of The Corner Pit Crew.

There will also be representatives from Tayside Fire and Rescue and a Community Safety Officer supporting this event.

Young men will be given maintenance "Man–uals" and other useful spare parts to take away. Prizes can be won and the first young man to take the ‘Checkered’ Flag (to be drawn from those who exit the Pit Lane and leave their details) will take the podium to receive a digital radio. Runners-up will win exclusive Corner Pit Crew T-shirts.

Any young men under 16 who would like the same health MOT check are welcome to attend The Corner Drop-In which is open Monday to Saturday where they will be seen by the "Corner Pit Crew".

The Corner manager Pete Glen said: "This is a great opportunity to engage with young men in a way that interests them and generates discussion and useful information about healthier lifestyles."

In the UK, a baby boy has a 66% chance of reaching the age of 75 while a baby girl has a 77% chance. (Men’s Health Forum, 2008) http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/userpage1.cfm?item_id=2553