This year, Children’s Health Scotland marks 50 years as a registered Scottish charity. It’s a milestone that invites reflection—not simply because of the years that have passed, but because of the progress we’ve made together and the ambitions we hold for the future.
Commenting on the occasion, Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said:
As we celebrate 50 years, we’re not just marking a milestone—we’re reaffirming our commitment to every child’s right to the best possible health. This anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we hope to achieve in the future in line with our strategic plan. Moving forward, together we will continue to work towards a future where every child in Scotland grows up healthy, safe, loved, and respected.
From then to now
Our story began in 1961 as Mother Care for Children in Hospital, a small but determined movement advocating for children’s needs during hospital stays. At that time, children’s healthcare rights were barely recognised. Families often had little say in decisions, and hospital environments could feel isolating and frightening for children. Over the decades, we fought for change—campaigning for family involvement, introducing health-related play, and promoting child-centred care. These ideas, once radical, are now embedded in practice across Scotland. On 2 October 1976, we became a registered Scottish charity, and since then, we’ve grown into one of Scotland’s leading voices for children’s health, rights and wellbeing.
Rights at the heart
Today, rights are no longer aspirational—they are protected in Scots law. The incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) means every child’s right to health is a legal commitment. This falls under article 24 of the UNCRC. This shift is transformative, but it also brings responsibility: to ensure rights are not just written into policy but lived in practice. Scotland has upheld children’s rights for years, especially when it comes to health with the adoption of the European Association For Children In Hospital and Healthcare (EACH) Charter since 2007.
Children’s health rights lie at the heart of our work and for half a century, we’ve been instrumental in educating and upholding these rights. Health Rights Defenders (young volunteers with lived experience) inspire children and families to understand and claim their health rights. Self-Management Skills (SMS) programmes help children build resilience and confidence in managing their health. Flourish and our health-related play initiatives reduce anxiety and promote wellbeing. We work alongside families, carers, and professionals to make sure every child feels safe, informed, and respected. Health Rights Training and our Health Rights Service provide schools visits, trainings for professionals and support for children and families.
We have also created our very own My Health, My Rights Children and Young People’s Charter, created by children and young people – not by adults. This involved 100s of young people with their drawings and voices shaping the Charter, taking inspiration from the UNCRC and EACH to reflect what children and young people find important today.
The reality today
Despite progress, challenges remain. The numbers tell a stark story:
- 240,000 children—almost one in four—live in poverty in Scotland.
- 42,350 children are waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments.
- 4,674 children are on CAMHS waiting lists.
- Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children under general anaesthetic.
Behind these figures are real lives—children who feel isolated, families who struggle to access support, carers who need training and resources. These realities remind us why our work matters and why we must keep pushing for change.
Our vision for the next decade
As we look ahead to 2030, our Strategic Plan and Manifesto set out bold ambitions:
- Timely, equitable, and rights-based care for every child.
- Inclusive and trauma-informed services that meet diverse needs.
- Meaningful participation of children and families in decisions about their health.
- Investment in third sector organisations to build capacity and sustainability.
- Expansion of health-related play and self-management programmes to reduce anxiety and build resilience.
We also call for a national child health workforce strategy, better support for kinship and foster carers, and urgent action to reduce waiting times for mental health and neurodevelopmental services. These are not optional—they are essential if Scotland is to be the best place in the world to grow up.
Voices that matter
Our Health Rights Defenders remind us why participation matters:
- “My Health, My Rights is important because it shows children, no matter if we are sick, that we matter and have a voice.” S1 pupil
- “Sometimes it feels like you have to wait until things get really bad before anyone helps you. That’s not fair.” Health Rights Defender, age 13
These voices shape our priorities and keep us focused on what truly matters: listening, learning, and acting.
Special Events for Our 50th Anniversary
As we celebrate our incredible milestone, we want 2026 to be a year full of connection, joy, and opportunities to amplify children’s health and rights. That’s why we’ve planned a series of special events and activities over the next year to bring families, professionals, and supporters together. From inspiring conferences to fun-filled picnics, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as we mark 50 years of making a difference.
- Scottish Children’s Health Week – A week dedicated to promoting children’s health and rights.
- Scottish Children’s Health Awards – Entries are now open! Nominate someone who makes a difference.
- My Health, My Rights Conference – Join us in Stirling on 2 October 2026, our anniversary day. Tickets go on sale late February.
- Bear’s Big Adventure Days – Throughout the year, we’ll be hosting kinship picnics across Scotland to learn self-management skills and celebrate Bear’s 50th birthday and our anniversary.
- Bear’s 50th Birthday Celebrations – Last year, we shared small bears with the message: “2026 will mark Bear’s 50th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Children’s Health Scotland. To celebrate, Bear is being taken on lots of fun adventures—and we’re inviting you to join in!” Take your bear on an adventure—big or small—and share the fun! Snap a photo of your bear wherever you go and post it on social media using #BearTurns50 and #HealthRightsAware. Tag us so we can celebrate with you! Your pictures will help spread the word about children’s health and rights and make Bear’s birthday unforgettable.
Celebrating together
This anniversary is about more than our organisation—it’s about the wider movement for children’s health and rights in Scotland. We want to celebrate the progress made, honour the partnerships that have shaped our journey, and recommit to building a future where every child’s health and rights are at the heart of Scotland’s story. Here’s to the next decade—brave, visionary, and led by the voices of children and young people.
Join Us
As we celebrate 50 years, we invite you to be part of this journey:
- Share your story of how Children’s Health Scotland has made a difference on social media using #myhealthmyrights, #BearTurns50 and #HealthRightsAware.
- Support our work by donating or fundraising.
- Join our anniversary events and help us amplify the voices of children and young people.
