Our Health Rights Defenders are now officially behind the camera and firmly in the director’s chair. We are excited to begin the next stage of our media project, having appointed Media Education to support this work.
This work builds on our shared commitment to listening to children and young people and ensuring their lived experiences are not only heard but taken seriously. continuing our shared commitment to ensuring children’s views shape the direction of the work.
Niki Smith, Coordinator for Children’s Health Scotland, said:
“Listening to children and young people is not optional. It is essential, especially when those children are living with health conditions and or disabilities. Too often their experiences are underestimated, misunderstood, or overlooked.
Our Health Rights Defenders have been working incredibly hard and are doing something truly brave. By sharing an insight into their lives, they are opening the door to big, honest conversations that can lead to real change.
We know how hard it can be to talk about your health. It is not easy to feel different, and it is not easy to let others see the realities you live with every day. Yet these children and young people are choosing to speak up, not just for themselves, but for the next generation.
We are profoundly grateful for their time, their commitment, and the trust they place in us as a charity. Their voices matter, and this film is about making sure they are heard.”
From Ideas to Filming
Building on our first sessions together, this week marked the start of shaping the film itself. Health Rights Defenders met with Shaun from Media Education to begin learning the practical skills that will bring their ideas to life. They explored how to operate cameras, set up lighting, record clear sound, and frame shots in ways that feel respectful, powerful, and true to their stories.
This stage of the project is not about telling children what to say. It is about supporting them with the tools to tell their own stories confidently and safely.
What Matters to Children
Before any filming took place, Health Rights Defenders spent time creating questions they believe are most important for the film. These questions reflect the realities of growing up with a health condition or disability, including how it affects school, friendships, mental health, independence, and everyday life.
This approach directly reflects the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 12, which sets out every child’s right to express their views freely in matters that affect them and to have those views taken seriously. By shaping the questions, structure, and focus of the film themselves, Health Rights Defenders are actively exercising their rights.
Learning the Power of the Camera
With Shaun and Children’s Health Scotland’s guidance, the group explored how technical decisions shape storytelling. They learned how camera angles affect how someone feels on screen, why lighting matters, and how clear sound helps ensure voices are not lost or misunderstood.
These skills are about more than filmmaking. They are about confidence, agency, and control. They reflect Article 13 of the UNCRC, which protects children’s right to share information and ideas through the media of their choice.
Creativity in Many Forms
Alongside filming skills, Health Rights Defenders also began working on artwork that may feature in the final film. This creative space allows children and young people to express feelings and experiences in ways that go beyond words and ensures different communication styles are respected and valued.
This inclusive, flexible approach supports Article 2 of the UNCRC on non discrimination and Article 31, which recognises children’s right to cultural, artistic, and creative expression.
A Film With Purpose
This film is being created for the My Health, My Rights Conference, an event led, coproduced and shaped by Health Rights Defenders themselves. When it is launched, it will place children’s lived experiences front and centre for professionals, decision makers, and allies to listen to and learn from.
It is a powerful reminder that children and young people are experts in their own lives and must be part of shaping the systems designed to support them.
Thank You
We are incredibly grateful to Media Education for their child led, empowering approach and for taking the time to build skills and trust with our Health Rights Defenders. We also want to thank Awards For All and the National Lottery Community Fund, whose funding makes this vital work possible.
Most of all, we want to thank our Health Rights Defenders. Their courage, honesty, creativity, and commitment continue to inspire us all.
This is only the beginning. Watch this space.
Want to find out what we got up to in week 1 of this Project? CLICK HERE.
OUR SMS PROGRAMMES
Our Health Rights Defenders are children and young people aged 9-17 living with a health condition or concern. They’ve taken part in our Self-Management Skills Programmes which are designed to help children feel more confident, build self esteem, cope with stress and know more about their Health Rights. These SMS Programmes are six weeks long and run through the year. They are completely free and don’t require a diagnosis to take part. Professionals can refer or you can self refer by CLICKING HERE.
📝 We want to hear from you.
Whether you are a child or young person, parent or carer, student, professional or ally — your experience matters.
➡️ Take part in the national survey on children’s rights: CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART
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