Our latest SMS HUB session took young people on a journey through the past, present, and future, exploring how life has changed over time and imagining what the future might look like for the next generation.
health
“Listen to Us”: Health Rights Defenders Partner with the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland to Rethink Education
At Children’s Health Scotland, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the voices, creativity, and courage of our Health Rights Defenders who contributed to the powerful Storylines project led by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.
Play, Rights and Bear’s Big Adventures at Health Weeks in Scottish Schools
We had a fantastic time celebrating Health Weeks in Schools across Scotland, alongside the children and young people at Greenhill Primary School and Broxburn Primary School, reaching an incredible 760 children and young people across both schools.
Growing Up in the Online World: Why Children’s Health Scotland Supports the CYPCS Call on Social Media and Children’s Rights
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, […]
Every Child Has a Shadow: The Right to Be Seen
This story introduces us to a child whose “shadow” does not match the expectations placed upon them. Their interests, their expression, and their sense of self sit outside what others believe is acceptable. What follows is not just a story about difference—it is a story about visibility, courage, and the conditions children need to truly […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
All Hands on Deck! Pirate Adventure Delivers Powerful Boost to Kinship Families’ Health and Wellbeing
Families from across Scotland set sail on a day of laughter, movement and connection as Children’s Health Scotland launched its first Bear’s Big Adventure Day of 2026 — a swashbuckling pirate takeover at M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park. Disguised as a day of pure fun, Bear‑ied Treasure delivered something far more powerful: inclusive, child‑led health‑related play […]
SMS: Growing our Confidence Together
Our Self-Management Skills (SMS) programmes help children feel more comfortable together while beginning to explore Self-Management Skills. During our programme this week it has been wonderful to see confidence starting to grow as the children and young people settle into the group.
