The health and wellbeing of children and young people and their right to the best possible health lies at the heart of the new Strategic Plan, launched by Children’s Health Scotland at their AGM held in October 2024. Covering the period 2024-2030, the plan sets out how the charity will move forward from their present position to one they will aspire to reach by 2030 and it has been built on the strong foundations of the previous work of the charity.
Commenting on the publication of the new Strategic Plan, Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said:
The children and young people we support, along with our health rights defenders, have played a crucial role in helping to shape our plan, with their voices and dreams at its core. The young people we’ve engaged with have demonstrated incredible courage and determination in sharing some tough truths with us. If these were challenging for us to process, they must have been even more so for them to express. It’s a heavy load for young individuals to convey their emotions so transparently and effectively, ensuring we genuinely grasp their viewpoints. We’ve listened and I’m thankful that we’ve championed the inclusion of their young voices. This experience has also taught us that data alone doesn’t capture the full picture— the personal stories we’ve collected shed light on those who are often overlooked due to their long-term health issues and their access to healthcare services. Moving forward, we are committed to supporting those children and young people whose health rights are most at risk. Too often, these children experience sadness, anger, loneliness, isolation, or frustration due to the challenges they encounter and the treatment they receive. Together, and through the implementation of our Strategic Plan, we hope to make a difference to their worlds and to support and defend their right to the best possible health.
Maggie Simpson, Chair of Children’s Health Scotland added:
This Strategic Plan will direct everything we do and has been developed by listening to the children and young people we support, families, staff, and volunteers. Our five interlinked strategic priorities of: expertise and information; voice; improving life experiences; training and resources; and health-related play, are set within the context of our charitable remit, and the Plan clearly maps the way forward for our services. I believe that, in working to this Strategy over the next six years, Children’s Health Scotland will continue to support the right of every child to the best possible health whilst ensuring their healthcare rights remain heard, valued, protected, and respected.
