My Health, My Rights Conference 2026 brings together children’s voices, rights and action

Shaped with and by our Health Rights Defenders, the conference was hosted by Scottish broadcaster, journalist and TV presenter Laura Boyd and brought together those with the power to influence change and those with lived experience of navigating Scotland’s health services. Throughout the day, one message rang loud and clear: children and young people want to be heard, involved and respected in decisions about their health and wellbeing. The conference saw the launch of the National Health Rights Report 2026, informed by the experiences of more than 1,100 children and young people, parents, carers, health professionals and education professionals from across Scotland. The report’s headline finding was both powerful and challenging: Children increasingly know their rights. Many are not experiencing them.

“It’s been amazing. To see everyone come together from something we created. It’s been a lot of fun too.” – Isha, Health Rights Defender

From inspiring keynote speeches and thought-provoking discussions to interactive workshops, creative activities and opportunities to connect with others, the conference celebrated how far we have come while acknowledging the work still to be done. The day featured contributions from John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, Sammi Kinghorn OBE, Nicola Killean OBE, children and young people, parents,  carers, health professionals and national organisations, all sharing a commitment to ensuring every  child can realise their right to the best possible health. As the charity marked its 50th Anniversary year, the conference was a powerful reminder that when children and young people are given the opportunity to share their experiences, they can shape services, influence policy and inspire meaningful change.

A Powerful Opening

The conference opened with a film created by our Health Rights Defenders, reminding delegates why children’s voices must remain central to decisions about health, care and support.

A Report Built on Children’s Voices

The National Health Rights Report 2026 captures the experiences, hopes and concerns of children and young people across Scotland.

• It tells a story of progress. More children and young people are becoming aware of their rights.
• Yet it also tells a story of unfinished work.

Many children continue to face barriers accessing healthcare, education and support. Too many children and young people still do not consistently experience the rights they are entitled to. As Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, reflected: “First and foremost, I would like to thank every child and young person, parent, carer, health professional and education professional who took the time to share their experiences through the National Health Rights Report 2026. Their honesty, insight and willingness to speak openly about both positive experiences and ongoing challenges have created an important picture of what children’s health rights look like in Scotland today. This report belongs to them. It reflects their voices, their experiences and their hopes for the future.”

The report provided the foundation for a day dedicated to listening. Not simply hearing children’s voices, but recognising their experiences as a roadmap for change.

The Health Rights Defenders Leading Change

At the heart of the conference were our incredible Health Rights Defenders.  These remarkable young people helped shape the conference programme, contributed to the development of the report, challenged decision-makers to listen and ensured that children’s voices remained central throughout the day.  As Helen explained: “I would also like to thank our Health Rights Defenders, who have played an extraordinary role in shaping both the report and our conference. These remarkable young people gave their time, energy and lived experience to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard by those making decisions about services and support. The Health Rights Defenders helped shape the conference programme, contributed to the development of the report, challenged decision-makers to listen, and personally invited Scotland’s First Minister to attend the conference because they believe children and young people deserve to have their voices heard.”

Their influence could be seen throughout the conference, from the opening sessions to the final discussions of the day.

Scotland Listening to Children and Young People

One of the most significant moments of the conference came through the support shown by senior leaders across Scotland. In a message acknowledging the importance of children’s participation, Rt Hon John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, said:  “Scotland’s future will be shaped by its children and young people, which is why their voices must be heard today. The Scottish Government is putting them at the heart of the decisions we make and their views are helping to shape policy, improve services and make Scotland a better place. The experiences shared in this report highlight the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. We will continue to focus on prevention and early intervention, ensuring children, young people and families can access the support they need when they need it, helping families to thrive and doing all we can to ensure no child grows up in poverty.  By continuing to listen and act on what we hear we will help ensure every child knows their rights and fulfils their potential.”

His words reflected one of the strongest messages from the day: children and young people are not the leaders of tomorrow. Their voices matter today.

Rights Must Be Experienced, Not Just Understood

The conference theme, My Health, My Rights, reflects our commitment to ensuring every child understands and can access their healthcare rights. Yet throughout the day delegates explored a simple but important truth.

• Knowing your rights is not enough.
• Children must be able to experience them.

This was highlighted by Nicola Killean OBE, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland: “Children have the right to the best possible health, both physical and mental. That includes being listened to and taken seriously. Children must have access to services, care, and treatment appropriate to their age and condition. The voices and experiences of children are grounded in this powerful report. They have spoken clearly about what matters to them, where progress is being made, and where change is still needed. The report shows that awareness of rights is only part of the picture. Children must be able to see and experience those rights in their everyday lives. This report provides an important opportunity for policymakers, services, and organisations across Scotland to listen to children and young people and act on what they are telling us.”

These words challenged delegates to think beyond awareness-raising and focus on ensuring rights are embedded in everyday experiences across healthcare, education and community settings.

Bringing Rights to Life Through Learning, Creativity and Play

The conference was designed not only to inspire discussion but to showcase what children’s rights look like in action.

Throughout the day, delegates participated in a wide range of interactive workshops exploring health, wellbeing, participation, inclusion, play and advocacy.

Creative sessions such as LEGO® Health Builders: Rights in Action and Art for Advocacy: Rights on Canvas encouraged participants to explore children’s rights through building, creativity and collaboration.

Health and wellbeing were explored through inspiring experiences including Space, Health & Wellbeing: Finding Perspective Through Wonder and the joyful BUBBLETASTIC Workshop: The Science of Bubbles and Wellbeing, demonstrating the important links between curiosity, play, resilience and wellbeing.

Delegates met therapy dogs through Therapets, Canine Concern Scotland and stepped into the role of a zoo veterinarian during Vet for a Day: Exploring Health Through Animals, delivered by Edinburgh Zoo.

Other workshops explored topics including early years health, children’s rights in infancy, financial support, mental health and access to services. 

One particularly powerful workshop, Voices That Matter: Media, Storytelling & Meaningful Participation, showcased media created by our Health Rights Defenders alongside Media Education, demonstrating the transformative impact of giving children opportunities to tell their own stories.

Together, the workshops showed that children’s rights are not abstract ideas. They are experienced through participation, inclusion, relationships, creativity, support and opportunities to thrive.

With thanks to:

• Children’s Health Scotland (including the Health Rights Defenders)
• Tom Kitching (LEGO® Health Builders: Rights in Action)
• Cosmos Planetarium (Aero Space Kinross) (Space, Health & Wellbeing: Finding Perspective Through Wonder)
• Therapets, Canine Concern Scotland (Therapets Workshop)
• Spider Arts (Art for Advocacy: Rights on Canvas)
• Early Years Scotland (The HENRY Programme)
• Edinburgh Zoo (Vet for a Day: Exploring Health Through Animals)
• Starcatchers (Starting Early: Engaging Babies and Toddlers With Their Rights)
• Media Education (Voices That Matter: Media, Storytelling & Meaningful Participation)
• Glasgow Science Centre (BUBBLETASTIC Workshop: The Science of Bubbles and Wellbeing)
• Social Security Scotland (Information & Support Session)
• Intandem (WAITING TO BE HEARD: Young People, Mental Health, and Access to Support)

A Collective Call to Action

The conference also highlighted the scale of the challenge ahead. Speaking at the event, Dr Lynn Macleod, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Officer for Scotland, said: “Rights are only meaningful when children can access support when they need it and are listened to throughout their care. Every child has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, yet persistent inequalities mean too many are being denied the opportunity to thrive. Without urgent action, paediatricians warn that Scotland risks raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in decades. We welcome the publication of On My Way: Children’s Health Scotland’s National Health Rights Report and are delighted to be part of this important conference.”

Her words reinforced what many delegates already knew. Ensuring children can realise their right to health requires collective action, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to reducing inequalities.

Created by Young People, Powered by Their Voices

Perhaps the most inspiring part of the day was seeing children and young people recognise the impact of their work. From shaping the report and conference programme to speaking with delegates and decision-makers, the Health Rights Defenders demonstrated what meaningful participation truly looks like. Reflecting on the day, Health Rights Defender Isha said: “It’s been amazing. To see everyone come together from something we created. It’s been a lot of fun too.”

In many ways, Isha’s words capture the spirit of the entire conference.

• Children and young people created something powerful.
• They brought people together.
• They challenged us to think differently.
• And they reminded us that real change happens when children’s voices are not only heard, but acted upon.

Looking Ahead

As Children’s Health Scotland celebrates 50 years of supporting children, young people and families, we remain committed to ensuring that children’s voices continue to shape the future of health and wellbeing in Scotland. As Helen Forrest concluded: “The findings tell us that children increasingly know their rights, but many are still not consistently experiencing those rights in practice. This report provides an opportunity for all of us, government, services, professionals, communities and families, to work together to ensure every child can know their rights, experience their rights and realise their right to the best possible health. As we celebrate 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland, we remain committed to listening to children and young people, amplifying their voices, and working alongside partners across Scotland to create meaningful and lasting change.”

Read the Report. Help Shape the Change.

The conversations may have ended, but the work continues.

The findings within the ON MY WAY REPORT belong to the children, young people and families who shared their experiences. Their voices offer a powerful insight into what is working, what still needs to change and what Scotland must do to ensure every child can realise their right to the best possible health.

We invite you to read the report, reflect on its findings and consider the role you can play in creating a more rights-aware Scotland.

Because every child deserves to:

• Know their rights.
• Experience their rights.
• Realise their right to the best possible health.

Read the On My Way: National Health Rights Report 2026 and join us in turning children’s voices into action.

Thank You