Children’s Health Scotland welcomes and supports the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) position that there is not enough evidence to show a blanket social media ban will protect children’s rights. At the heart of this conversation are children’s voices—and what they are telling us is clear: safety matters, but so does connection, participation, […]
health rights defenders
Dear First Minister: Will you listen?
Sometimes the most powerful advocacy doesn’t come from reports, policy papers or presentations. It comes from children taking time to sit down, think carefully, and write from the heart.
“We Want Change”: Health Rights Defenders Share Their Story Through Film
What does it really feel like to grow up in Scotland today with a health condition — waiting, navigating systems, and too often feeling unheard? On Saturday 30 May, our Health Rights Defenders began to answer that question in their own words, as we came together to watch the first cut of a powerful new […]
Protection Without Participation Is Not Protection: Children’s Health Scotland Responds to Social Media Ban Consultation
Children’s Health Scotland has published its response to the national consultation on proposals to introduce a social media ban for under 16s, drawing directly on the voices of children, young people, parents and carers. While the intention to improve online safety is welcomed, the organisation is urging policymakers to rethink a blanket ban approach, warning that […]
What You Don’t See: Health Rights Defenders Reveal the Reality of Growing Up with a Health Condition
This week, our Health Rights Defenders continued their media journey by focusing on something simple yet incredibly powerful. They created posters that show what it is really like to be a child or young person living with a health condition. Funded by Awards for All, this project is rooted in a clear belief. When children […]
Lights, Camera, Listen: Health Rights Defenders Take the Next Step
Our Health Rights Defenders are now officially behind the camera and firmly in the director’s chair. We are excited to begin the next stage of our media project, having appointed Media Education to support this work. This work builds on our shared commitment to listening to children and young people and ensuring their lived experiences […]
Amplifying Young Voices Through Media: Health Rights Defenders Lead the Way
We are excited to be starting a powerful new piece of work with our Health Rights Defenders, thanks to funding from Awards For All from the National Lottery Community Fund. Over the coming weeks, our Health Rights Defenders will be working with Media Education and Children’s Health Scotland to create a piece of media that […]
Referrals Now Open: SMS Programmes Autumn & Winter 2026
We’re pleased to open referrals for our upcoming Self Management Skills (SMS) Programmes, taking place both in person this autumn and online over the winter. Our SMS Programmes support children and young people living with health conditions to build confidence, develop self management skills and connect with others who understand their experiences. We welcome self‑referrals […]
“Sometimes You Have to Be a Little Brave”: Volunteering, Voice and Seeing Ourselves on Stage
Elodie is ten. She’s thoughtful, creative, and clear about one thing: children deserve to be listened to when it comes to their health. She also knows how often decisions are made around children rather than with them, which is why she’s a Health Rights Defender. As a Health Rights Defender, Elodie gives her time, ideas and creativity to help adults understand what it’s really like to […]
Our Spring/Summer 2026 magazine celebrates action, rights and 50 Years of impact
This special anniversary edition of our Spring/Summer magazine highlights the voices, stories and experiences of the children, young people, families, carers and volunteers who shape our work every single day. From the powerful messages behind our new Every Child’s Right to Health Manifesto, to the creativity and leadership of our Health Rights Defenders, the magazine […]
