We are thrilled that our SMS:CONNECT Service has received £56,000 funding from the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Self-Management Fund 
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Dr Laura Smith, Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing Services, said: “Since its launch in Summer 2020, our SMS:CONNECT Programmes for children and young people with long-term health conditions have gone from strength to strength, but we have been receiving increasing numbers of referrals and we were concerned that we would struggle to meet the demand going forward. This funding means that we can expand the provision of SMS:CONNECT to support more children and young people from across Scotland, and also provide long-term health and wellbeing support through our newly developed SMS:HUB. I am incredibly proud of the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Services Team and we want to send our thanks and gratitude to the Scottish Government, William Grant Foundation and the ALLIANCE Scotland for awarding us this funding.” 
One of the young people we support, Rona (age 14), shared her feelings with us: “SMS:CONNECT was a real lifeline when I was very isolated and new to having lots of health problems along with a chronic health condition. As the weeks went on I got more confident with talking and sharing. The SMS:HUB meetings are now every month and I never want to miss one so it goes straight on my calendar! I have a connection with people in the group because we all have health conditions and been through tough times. Thank you SMS!”
To find out more about our SMS:CONNECT Programmes, follow the link below:
https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/service/smsconnect/
