Created by children and young people across Scotland
A Landmark Launch
Children’s Health Scotland is proud to officially launch our My Health, My Rights Charter Report and A2 poster — a landmark resource created by children and young people living with long-term health conditions. This Charter is a declaration that every child has the right to the best possible health — and that their voices must be heard, respected, and acted upon.
Launched during Scottish Children’s Health Week 2025, this Charter is part of our wider My Health, My Rights Campaign, which will build towards our 50th anniversary in October 2026. It marks a significant milestone in our mission to make health rights real for every child in Scotland.
Ten Health Rights
The Charter outlines ten equally important health rights, inspired by the UNCRC and EACH Charter, and shaped by the lived experiences of children and young people:
- The right to be heard and respected
- The right to information in a way we understand
- The right to be educated on our health
- The right to safe spaces
- The right to have our beliefs respected, protected and understood
- The right to be me
- The right to access beneficial food and water
- The right to fun
- The right to respect, privacy and dignity
- The right to have a trusted adult stay with us in healthcare settings
Voices of Young People
“Sometimes adults don’t understand what it’s like to live with a health condition every day. But when they listen, really listen, it makes things better. That’s why we made the Charter – so they know what we need and how to help.”
— Health Rights Defender, age 14
“Young people like me often get forgotten about. We don’t get to have our voices be centre stage. But with My Health, My Rights – we do.”
— Jess, age 15
A Tool for Professionals
The Charter and poster are designed to help professionals become Health Rights Aware. They offer a clear, accessible summary of children’s health rights and are ideal for display in schools, hospitals, clinics, and community settings. This is a tool for everyone in Scotland — especially professionals — to support better conversations, better care, and better outcomes.
A Call to Action
“Being Health Rights Aware isn’t just about listening to children — it’s about making sure they have their say and giving them a platform to speak for themselves. Our Charter is a testament to what happens when we truly put children at the centre of decision-making. When children and families know their rights, we see better health and wellbeing as a result.
I urge professionals across Scotland to use this tool, take up our training, and embed these rights in practice. And I call on MSPs to do the same — our Charter and report have been sent to you. Now is the time to act.”
— Rhianne Forrest, Officer for Children’s Health Scotland
Join the Campaign
The My Health, My Rights Campaign is a national movement to raise awareness of children’s healthcare rights and the benefits of health-related play. It includes the development and promotion of the My Health, My Rights Children & Young People’s Charter, training resources, and a Healthcare Rights Quiz — a fun and interactive way to show your support and earn a badge as someone who is #HealthRightsAware.
👉 Take the Healthcare Rights Quiz
Download the Charter
You can download the full Charter Report and A2 Poster below:
Contact Us
For more information, contact CYPHRS@childrenshealthscotland.org or visit www.childrenshealthscotland.org.
