This year’s Healthcare Rights Award has been presented to the Borders Nicotine Prevention Toolkit Team, made up of Lizzie MacLeish, Sophie Gillians and Shona Easingwood, in recognition of their outstanding work transforming how nicotine prevention is understood, embedded and taught across the Scottish Borders.
The team was nominated for its dedication to improving health outcomes for children and young people through innovative, rights-based approaches to nicotine prevention. Their work has been so impactful that it has been shared globally by ASH Scotland as an example of best practice.
On receiving news of the award, Lizzie said:
Winning this award is immensely humbling. It is recognition not only of my work, but of the collective efforts of colleagues, communities, and the fantastic young people whose dedication and passion have driven positive change in the nicotine prevention agenda.
For me, this award truly recognises the many people who have contributed to ensuring that children, young people, and families are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness in healthcare. Knowing that our work has helped improve access, promote equity, and strengthen young people’s rights within healthcare makes me incredibly proud and makes receiving this award even more special.
It is a reminder of what can be achieved when we work together and place the voices and experiences of young people at the heart of everything we do.
As part of the Children and Young People’s Health Improvement Team at NHS Borders, the team works closely with partners across education, health, public services and the third sector to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for young people. Their work focuses on prevention and early intervention, helping children and young people become healthy, resilient, informed and empowered to make positive choices throughout their lives.
Reducing health inequalities and promoting children’s rights are at the heart of everything they do, ensuring all young people have access to the support, information and opportunities they need to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
The success of the nicotine prevention initiative has been driven by a commitment to involving young people every step of the way.
Lizzie explained:
Our nicotine prevention initiative has been successful because it has been built with young people, rather than for young people. Drawing on local intelligence, we recognised early on that traditional health messages alone were not enough. We therefore worked closely with schools, youth groups, partner organisations, and young people themselves to better understand their experiences and develop approaches that felt relevant, engaging, and meaningful to them.
The initiative has focused on raising awareness of the risks associated with nicotine addiction, providing evidence-based information, and creating opportunities for open and honest conversations. An important aspect of this work has been challenging the misconceptions and misinformation that are often promoted through social media.
A key strength of the initiative has been empowering young people to shape the messaging and become advocates for positive change within their schools and communities.
Through this approach, the team has developed a suite of educational resources used in schools and community settings, helping increase awareness and understanding of nicotine-related harms among young people.
One of the most memorable moments of the project came when a group of young people were invited to speak directly with Scottish Government representatives at the Nicotine Prevention Launch event.
Lizzie said:
A standout moment for me was when a group of young people we had been working with on nicotine prevention were given the opportunity to share their experiences and views directly with Scottish Government colleagues.
What made this moment so powerful was that these young people were not simply receiving health messages, they were actively shaping them. They spoke confidently about the realities of vaping in their schools and communities, challenged misconceptions around nicotine use, and highlighted what support and information young people actually need.
Seeing them use their voices to influence decision-makers perfectly summed up what our work is about. Nicotine prevention is not just about reducing smoking and nicotine rates, it’s about empowering young people, respecting their rights, and ensuring they have a genuine role in decisions that affect their health and wellbeing.
The judging panel was particularly impressed by the team’s innovative approach to nicotine prevention and their commitment to ensuring children and young people have a genuine voice in decisions that affect their health. The panel recognised the significant impact of the Borders Nicotine Prevention Toolkit and noted that the team’s work has successfully targeted support where it is most needed, while also becoming a model of good practice shared globally by ASH Scotland.
Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, said:
The Borders Nicotine Prevention Toolkit Team has demonstrated what can be achieved when children and young people are placed at the heart of designing solutions to improve health. Their rights-based approach, commitment to listening to young people and determination to provide accurate, accessible information has created a lasting impact across their communities. They are incredibly deserving recipients of this year’s Healthcare Rights Award.
Reflecting on the awards ceremony, the team was delighted to attend to celebrate their success together while also recognising the efforts of the young people they have worked with.
It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the dedication and passion of the young people who have helped shape and drive this work,” Lizzie explained. “It was a privilege to be part of an event that showcases such inspiring work from across Scotland.
Through partnership working, innovation and a steadfast commitment to children’s rights, the Borders Nicotine Prevention Toolkit Team has helped empower young people to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Their work is improving lives today while helping shape healthier futures for generations of young people to come, making them worthy winners of the Healthcare Rights Award 2026.
Join Us for Scottish Children’s Health Week
The Scottish Children’s Health Awards are part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, a national celebration of children and young people’s health, wellbeing and rights.
From inspiring award winner stories to activities, resources and opportunities to get involved, Scottish Children’s Health Week shines a spotlight on the importance of ensuring every child understands their rights and has the support they need to thrive.
Whether you’re a child, young person, parent, carer, professional or supporter, we’d love you to join the conversation. Share your messages of support using #MyHealthMyRights and #SCHW2026, explore this year’s activities, and help us create a Scotland where every child is #HealthRightsAware.
Visit https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/events/scottish-childrens-health-week/ to learn more, download resources, and discover how you can take part in Scottish Children’s Health Week 2026.
Want to Nominate for 2027?
Do you know an individual or team that is helping children and young people understand, exercise and benefit from their healthcare rights?
The Healthcare Rights Award recognises those who are taking extraordinary steps to advance the rights of children and young people and ensure their voices are heard in decisions affecting their health and wellbeing.
Nominations for the Scottish Children’s Health Awards 2027 are now open.
To nominate for the Healthcare Rights Award, visit:
https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/events/awards/healthcare-rights-award/
