Have you spent time in hospital or mental health services as a child or young person? Are you a sibling who has supported a poorly brother or sister? Are you passionate about children's healthcare?
Cambridge Children’s Hospital is inviting teenagers and young adults from across the East of England to join its award-winning Youth Forums, to help make the future hospital the best it can be.
Since launching two years ago, the Youth Forums have contributed valuable ideas and feedback around the design of the hospital; the transition from children's to adult services; teenage spaces; hospital school and reintegration back into mainstream school, as well as supporting important research projects around children’s healthcare.
The young people’s contributions to the hospital project won them the ‘Unsung Heroes’ accolade at the 2024 Inspirational Young Stars Award, run by Cambridge Community Fundraisers and Cambridge Independent.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England, the only region in the UK without one. It will bring together mental and physical healthcare with world-leading research in a way that has never been done before, supporting not just the child but their family and close network.
Join us in shaping Cambridge Children's Hospital
The project is looking for new members aged 14-25 to join its Youth Forum and Young Adult Forum. These friendly groups of young people have regular meetings to help shape how Cambridge Children’s Hospital will look, feel and care. Some members draw on their lived experience of being in hospital or mental health services, while others bring the sibling perspective or that of a future healthcare professional.
Fintan from Suffolk joined the Youth Forum two years ago, after falling seriously ill with a stroke just days before his 15th birthday and spending over a month in hospital.
It’s been so rewarding to be part of the Cambridge Children’s Hospital Youth Forum and really make a difference to the new hospital. Everyone is so friendly within the group, plus it’s great that the project team really listen to and act on our ideas. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone!
Fintan, 17
Joining Cambridge Children’s Hospital’s Youth or Young Adult Forum is a chance for young people to develop their employability skills through participation and training in public speaking, teamwork activities and experiencing a professional work environment. It will help build their CV, and boost job, or education applications.
Supported by the engagement team, our Youth and Young Adult Forum members tackle some big healthcare subjects, but the difference their voices are making to the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project is invaluable. We look forward to welcoming new members and helping them thrive as part of this exciting project.
Sarah Allen, Coproduction and Engagement Officer
Things to know:
- There is a clear code of conduct for Youth Forum meetings, that emphasises a culture of respect, inclusivity, and listening to others.
- The Youth Forum is for ages 14-18 (school years 10-13) and the Young Adult Forum is for ages 19-25.
- The opportunity is open to anyone in the above age groups, not just those with lived experiences of using healthcare services.
- This year, we are particularly interested to recruit more young people in Years 10 and 11.
- We anticipate that the commitment will be to attend an online meeting every month, plus some face-to-face activities.
- You will be able to claim generous reimbursement for your time. We will also work with you to organise some social events.
- It will be fun and rewarding – and we can't wait to hear from you!