Madiee Merrick is the winner of this year’s Children’s Bravery Award, recognised for the incredible resilience, strength and determination she has shown throughout a lifetime of complex health challenges, while continuing to inspire everyone around her. Madiee’s journey began the moment she was born. Diagnosed with gastroschisis, a condition where a baby’s intestines develop outside […]
Children
Not Just Friends. Not Just Volunteers. Health Rights Defenders.
“Before I joined Health Rights Defenders, I didn’t know other young people felt the same way I did about hospitals, appointments and having a health condition. Now I know I’m not alone, and together we’re helping other children understand their rights too.” — Health Rights Defender. For children and young people living with health conditions, […]
A Place to Belong: Creating Happiness Through Self-Management Skills
Happiness doesn’t always come from the biggest moments. It comes from the moments that matter. Sometimes it’s finding the confidence to join a conversation. Sometimes it’s meeting someone who understands what living with a health condition is like. Sometimes it’s discovering a new strength, trying something you never thought you could do, or simply having […]
More Than 1,100 Voices. One National Conversation. Scotland Has Spoken. Are We Ready to Listen?
What does it really mean for children and young people to experience their health rights in Scotland today? Over the past year, Children’s Health Scotland has been listening. Through our My Health, My Rights Survey, more than 1,100 voices have come together to create one of the most significant conversations about children’s health rights in […]
Story With Rory: The Hospital Hoppities and the Right to Feel Safe
For many children and young people living with long-term health conditions, hospitals can be a regular part of life. Whether it’s attending appointments, having tests, meeting new healthcare professionals, or staying overnight, these experiences can sometimes feel exciting, confusing, overwhelming, or even a little bit scary. As part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, Rory is […]
Helping Children Thrive at School: Listening to Kinship Carers, Learning Together
For many care experienced children and young people, school can be far more than a place of learning. It can also be a place where the impacts of trauma, loss, uncertainty, health conditions, and additional support needs are felt most keenly. For kinship carers, supporting a child to feel safe, included, and able to thrive […]
Wild adventures from home with Edinburgh Zoo
Monkeys, penguins, giraffes and even baby Bru all made an appearance as children and young people from across Scotland enjoyed a fantastic virtual visit to Edinburgh Zoo. The session formed part of our SMS:HUB, a programme that brings young people together online to build confidence, develop self-management skills and create meaningful connections in a supportive […]
From first-day nerves to last-day Celebrations: Children thrive through summer programme in East Renfrewshire
Children and young people in East Renfrewshire have spent their summer building confidence, making new friends and developing practical skills to support their health and wellbeing through Children’s Health Scotland’s Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programme. Delivered during the summer holidays at Maxwell Mearns Castle Parish Church Hall in Newton Mearns, the six-session programme supported 15 children […]
Take the Oath. Take a Stand. End Waiting on Our Rights.
Children and young people across Scotland are still waiting for their rights to become reality. They are waiting for support, care, and access to services that help them live healthy, fulfilling lives. These experiences remind us that there is still work to do. By coming together, listening to young voices, and taking action, we can […]
SMS HUB: Mystery, Mayhem and Werewolves!
Our latest SMS HUB session was filled with mystery, laughter, and plenty of suspense as young people came together online to play an exciting game of Werewolf. From the very beginning, no one knew who they could trust. Secret roles were assigned, alliances were formed, and every decision mattered as the village worked together to […]
