“I didn’t want to go back to school. It felt too hard.” These words, shared by a child during a recent Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programme, reflect the reality for many young people whose health challenges make school feel overwhelming.
Children
Building Confidence and Connections: SMS:CONNECT Winter Success
This winter, our SMS:CONNECT Programme has been buzzing with energy and positivity! Over six weeks, 23 incredible young people aged 9–17 have joined us every Monday and Thursday to explore self-management in fun, creative, and empowering ways.
Defying Gravity with Wicked the Musical: A Wellbeing Journey to Oz
Our latest SMS:HUB was pure magic! Children and young people with health conditions joined us online for a wellbeing session inspired by Wicked the Musical, led by the amazing Active Learning Team from Wicked. It wasn’t just about fun—it was about building skills that help us manage our health and wellbeing every day. From the […]
A Spellbinding SMS:HUB with Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter
On Thursday 30 October, children and young people from across Scotland—stretching from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders—gathered online for a truly magical SMS:HUB session with Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
Struthers Primary School and David Livingstone Memorial Primary School become Health Rights Aware!
This autumn, we had the joy of visiting two incredible schools — Struthers Primary School in September and David Livingstone Memorial Primary School in October — as part of our mission to promote health rights and empower children through play.
Walk With Us in Kiltwalk 2026 – Defend the Right to Health for Every Child in Scotland
Every step you take in the Kiltwalk is a step towards a fairer, healthier future for children and young people across Scotland. In 2025, our amazing Kiltwalkers raised over £8,000 — a powerful show of support that helped us reach children with long-term health conditions, kinship and foster care families, and those facing barriers to […]
Bear’s OUTTA THIS WORLD Adventure at Dynamic Earth
During the October School Holidays, Kinship Care families from across Scotland joined us for a truly intergalactic experience at Dynamic Earth — and what a cosmic adventure it was!
SMS:FACE TO FACE is back – Refer now for February 2026
We’re thrilled to announce that SMS:FACE-TO-FACE is returning on Saturday 21 February 2026 – and referrals are now open! This six-week programme runs every Saturday until 28 March 2026 as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025: Dr Una Macfadyen – A Life Devoted to Children’s Health
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to someone whose career has been defined by compassion, innovation, and tireless advocacy for children and families. Dr Una MacFadyen has spent decades improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people across Scotland and beyond – and her impact is nothing short of extraordinary. A Career That Began with Play Una’s […]
Young Achiever Award 2025: Celebrating Eilidh Haughey’s Remarkable Journey
Each year, the Young Achiever Award honours a child or young person who’s shown extraordinary courage, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. It recognises someone who, despite the challenges life has thrown their way, has never given up – and instead, has chosen to rise, inspire, and lead with heart. This year, we are proud […]
