At Children’s Health Scotland, we know that kinship carers play a vital role in the lives of children and young people. They provide love, stability and care, often stepping into their caring role during challenging circumstances. Yet while so much focus is rightly placed on supporting the children they care for, carers themselves can often […]
young people
My Health, My Rights Conference 2026 brings together children’s voices, rights and action
For one remarkable day in Stirling, children and young people were at the heart of a conference celebrating 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland and the launch of the National Health Rights Report 2026. More than 160 children and young people, families, professionals, policymakers and partners from across Scotland gathered together to listen, debate and […]
“We Want Change. We Want to Make a Difference.” Health Rights Defenders Launch Powerful New Film on Children’s Healthcare Rights
“We’ve made this video because we want the voices of children with medical conditions to be heard. We want change. We want to make a difference. We made this and we want others to share it.” – Malak, age 12 At Children’s Health Scotland, we believe children and young people are the experts in their […]
Children increasing know their rights. Many are not experiencing them.
Children increasingly know their rights, but many are still not experiencing those rights in practice, is the key message emerging from the National Health Rights Report 2026, launched today (2 October 2026) in Stirling at the My Health, My Rights Conference organised by national health rights charity Children’s Health Scotland.
A Golden Ticket to Chocolate Magic! Our SMS:HUB experiences the Highland Chocolatier
What happens when you combine award-winning chocolate, a Golden Ticket, children and young people from across Scotland, and a very special birthday celebration for Bear? You get a truly magical SMS:HUB adventure! This month, children and young people from across Scotland joined us online for The Golden Ticket Chocolate Adventure with Iain Burnett, The Highland […]
It Starts With a “Yes”: How Partnerships Help Young People Thrive Through SMS:HUB
Every month, children and young people from across Scotland log into SMS:HUB ready for a new adventure. For children and young people living with long-term health conditions, opportunities to connect with others, try new experiences, and build friendships are incredibly important. That’s why SMS:HUB is about so much more than an online activity. It’s a […]
CHILDREN’S BRAVERY AWARD 2026 | Madiee Merrick’s Courage Inspires Everyone Around Her
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 […]
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 […]
