Youth Involvement Group
Hello from the Youth Involvement Group!
We are a group of young people who want to use our voice to
shape how the hospitals run. We meet together to share our
thoughts, experiences and ideas about how to improve the hospitals
for young people.
As part of making change there are also members who have become
Youth Ambassadors and Young Governors; they represent our thoughts,
ideas and opinions to leadership teams and governors, alongside
those of other young people in the hospital and the Bristol and
South West.
Alongside sharing our priorities and ideas there are lots of
projects that we get involved in. These have included:
- Working with the medical simulation centre to learn about
clinical skills and develop an open day for other young people
- Taking part in ward inspections
- Getting involved in recruitment through being part of interview
panels
- Contributing to the Trust Strategy for the next 5 years.
- Creating resources for young people
- Learning about and interviewing staff about their roles in the
hospital
Members of our Youth Involvement Group have been involved in
national projects alongside those in the hospital including helping
develop NICE guidelines that look at how hospitals support
and care for young people, influencing health priorities through
the NHS Youth Forum and meeting with the CEO of the NHS!
We meet quarterly face to face to take part in activities and
opportunities and meet monthly online in project groups to focus on
the priorities that young people have identified need action. This
includes the hospital environment, training, information and
resources, communication and transitional care.
Why join the Youth Involvement Group?
One of the Youth Involvement Group members shares about being
involved:
'The amount of opportunities you have helped me be a part
of as well as the other young people you have helped me meet have
taught me so much and I have enjoyed doing everything a lot also. I
really appreciate it all!'
and one of our Youth Ambassadors shares her expereince:
'Being involved as a youth ambassador has been such an
amazing experience! I have met so many other young people as well
as staff members from the hospital who I have enjoyed making
connections with and discussing how access to healthcare for young
people can be improved. By being a part of the programme I have
been able to voice any concerns or give suggestions with the help
of staff who have encouraged me to use my voice and have helped to
develop my personal confidence. It is key that young people feel
able to contribute to the hospital as their insights are unique. I
highly recommend getting involved in the Youth Involvement
Group'
Young Governors and Youth Ambassadors
Young Governors and Youth Ambassadors are appointed every year
and members of the Youth Involvement Group can apply for these
roles. These are great opportunities to both learn how the hospital
works, develop new skills and confidence and have an impact on
shaping the future of the Trust. They involve participating as a
Young Governor or representing young people in our Childrens
Leadership or Childrens Board meetings alongside other contexts.
Some of the experiences that this has involved recently for the
Young Governors and Youth Ambassadors includes:
- Speaking at the Board of Governors meetings
- Judging our staff awards
- Attending and contributing to the BAME staff Forum
- Visiting the helipad
- Learning about the Trust Sustainability Strategy
- Voting on major trust projects including the development of
UHBW.
How to join:
If you are 11-21 years old and interested in finding out more or
joining you can contact the Young Persons Involvement Worker by
emailing sara.reynolds@uhbw.nhs.uk or foundationtrust@uhbw.nhs.uk.
