This year Scottish Children’s Health Week, organised by the national children’s health charity Children’s Health Scotland, will run from 2 – 8 September 2024. The week has been created to focus on the health and wellbeing of children and young people and their right to the best possible health.
Throughout the week, children, young people, families and caregivers are encouraged to delve into rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the European Association for Children in Hospital Charter (EACH Charter). The week equally serves as an opportunity to appreciate the exceptional efforts of children and young people managing their health and wellbeing while advocating for their healthcare rights. It’s recognised that children and young people with long-term health conditions, along with their families, often face challenges in forming social connections. So, a big part of Scottish Children’s Health Week is making them feel part of a much wider and stronger community and of having their voices heard, valued and respected.
Talking about the week Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said:
We created Scottish Children’s Health Week because children and young people told us they wanted people in Scotland to be health rights aware. So together we created a week and an associated Activity Book that focuses on the health and wellbeing of children and young people and their right to the best possible health. With the help of partners, and of course children and young people themselves, we now have an annual celebration of health rights that includes fun and colourful ways to explore and understand these rights and the impact they have for children and young people in Scotland.
MY HEALTH, MY RIGHTS CHARTER
Children’s Health Scotland plays a big part in enabling children and young people to learn about their health and wellbeing and this year, with the help of our young volunteers, we’ve developed a new My Health, My Rights Children and Young People’s Charter in Scotland. This important piece of work allows the voices of children and young people to be at the centre of rights development and promotion in Scotland. It’s a Charter developed by children and young people, for children and young people and together we feel it will be fundamental to make sure that the health rights of children and young people in Scotland are protected, respected, and fulfilled. During Scottish Children’s Health Week, Children’s Health Scotland will be out in the community showcasing the Charter and the work of their young Health Rights Defenders. It will also be showcased at a Parliamentary Reception during the week itself. For more information click here: https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/childrens-healthcare-rights/my-health-my-rights-charter/
ACTIVITY BOOK
A big part of the week is to encourage children and young people and their families to try new health and wellbeing activities every day. This is achieved through an Activity Book which are also supported by partner organisations within the children’s health and wellbeing sector. For each day of the week, people are encouraged to:
#BEACTIVE on Monday
We can all benefit from being active every day. It can help you feel stronger, more energetic, sleep better – and have FUN! On Monday everyone is encouraged to get involved with games, spend time outdoors, and get our bodies moving. All kinds of exercise will help your health and wellbeing physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.
Our ACTVITY PARTNER for Monday is LEARNING THROUGH LANDSCAPES who is encouraging those taking part to get outdoors to create a piece of transient art in their outdoor space.
#BEBRAVE on Tuesday
Being brave doesn’t always feel like being brave. On Tuesday people are encouraged to stretch themselves and do something a little different to increase confidence and make them feel proud. When being brave, we can try new things, meet new people and best of all, have fun! All these things can give our mental health and wellbeing a boost.
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Tuesday is WINSTON’S WISHES. When coping with a loss and a change in a family, it’s really important for everyone to have a shared story. Their activity encourages family members to think about the whole journey of a family through life and put death into context.
#BECALM on Wednesday
It can be hard to control emotions. There are times when we can all feel overwhelmed, angry, scared or unsure. While these powerful feelings are normal, on Wednesday those taking part are encouraged to try things that can help to feel calm when experiencing these emotions.
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Wednesday is TOGETHER, Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights who is encouraging children taking part to make their own time capsule.
#BEHAPPY on Thursday
Being happy is not just about feeling good. Happiness is also about emotional health and wellbeing and being able to make the most of the good times and cope with the bad ones, to experience the best possible life. Happiness really is a skill that we can all learn that will last for a lifetime.
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Thursday is FAMILY FUND who are sharing activities to let your heart happy.
#BEFRIENDLY on FRIDAY
Relationships and feeling connected to other people are important ways to positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. One of the best ways to stay connected to people is through friends. Good friends are always there for us and pick us up when we are down. Spending time with them and laughing together creates a real feel-good factor and is good for mental wellbeing.
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Friday is the CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S COMMISSIONER SCOTLAND who has a creative activity to celebrate all the wonderful things that make you, you.
#BEKIND on SATURDAY
The smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference, whether it’s a kind word, a thank you or even just a super smile! There are bigger acts of kindness such as volunteering or going shopping for someone who needs your help. Being kind helps us connect with other people, makes them feel good, and helps our own mental health and wellbeing too!
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Saturday is ACTION FOR CHILDREN who have a wonderful activity to showcase 100 acts of kindness.
#BEHELPFUL on SUNDAY
Helpful people help others. Being helpful means doing things to care for yourself, your family, friends, and community. It can start with looking for people who might need your help and doing something to help them out of love. What could you do today to help someone else and make them feel special?
Our ACTIVITY PARTNER for Sunday is the BRITISH RED CROSS who highlight activities that can help people who are lonely.
All our themed days ask those taking part to get creative and share thoughts and feelings about health and wellbeing. For older children, the activity book should be easy to read and contains activities that they can do with friends. For younger children, adult help (or the help of older children) may be needed to explain activities, and more importantly, to learn more about health rights.
PLEASE TAKE PART
In the run up and during Scottish Children’s Health Week, Children’s Health Scotland will be out and about in the community with the Activity Book and the My Health, My Rights Charter encouraging everyone to take part in the week and celebrate working side by side to keep children safe, healthy, and happy. The hashtags ‘#ScottishChildrensHealthWeek’ ‘#MyHealthMyRights’ and ‘#BeMoreBear’ have been created to encourage everyone to talk about health, feelings, and rights and we hope as many of you as possible will join our conversations.
To find out more about Scottish Children’s Health Week and download a copy of the activity book click the following link: https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/events/scottish-childrens-health-week/
