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 film shaped entirely by their lived experience.
From the very beginning, this project has been rooted in one simple but powerful principle: lived experience matters.
Rhianne Forrest, Officer for Children’s Health Scotland commented:
“Listening to children and young people with lived experience is essential if we want to create a system that truly works for them. This project has been about empowering our Health Rights Defenders to use their voices, make decisions, and shape something that reflects their reality — not what adults think it should look like. Education on the EACH Charter is just as important as education on UNCRC — because we can’t be truly rights respecting until children and young people understand both.”
This film is a powerful reflection of what it means to be a child or young person in Scotland living with a health condition today. Through storytelling, filming and honest conversations, our Health Rights Defenders have used media to shine a light on something that matters deeply: the need to listen. We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Awards for All, whose funding has made this project possible — enabling young people to share their stories in a meaningful and impactful way.
For many of the young people involved, this was their first time being part of a film project — and their excitement was clear. Elodie told us:
“I really liked filming,”
Working alongside Media Education, an invaluable partner in this journey, the group has been supported to create a film that truly belongs to them. The process has been child-led at every stage — allowing our Health Rights Defenders to explore the kind of film they wanted to make, not what adults expected.
As waiting lists remain at an all-time high, 1 in 4 young people live in poverty, and many more children continue to wait on their rights, this film could not come at a more important time. These young people are speaking honestly about their experiences — in healthcare, in education, and in everyday life.
Their message is clear, brave, and urgent.
Niamh shared:
“Even if people might not like it, we are the next generation. We are the ones that are coming up. We want change. This film is going to make people sit up and listen. I’m really proud of it.”
Watching the first cut together was an emotional and empowering experience — filled with pride, excitement, and a shared sense of purpose.
And this is only the beginning.
The film will officially launch at our My Health, My Rights Conference, taking place in Stirling on 2 October, where we will bring together professionals, partners and decision-makers to hear directly from children and young people about their experiences and their rights.
Our Health Rights Defenders are continuing to work hard — not only refining their film, but also helping to shape the conference itself. They are excited, motivated, and ready for the world to hear what they have to say.
Because this project is about more than film.
It’s about giving children and young people the space, tools and confidence to lead conversations about their rights. It’s about recognising that their voices are not just valuable — they are vital.
And it’s about ensuring that when they say “we want change” — we are ready to listen, and ready to act.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Media Education and the National Lottery Awards for All for making this project possible. Media Education have been an invaluable partner throughout — creating a space where our Health Rights Defenders could take the lead, explore their ideas, and shape a film that truly reflects their voices and experiences. Thanks to funding from Awards for All, these young people have been given the opportunity to tell their stories in a powerful and creative way. Together, this support has helped ensure that children and young people are not only heard, but empowered to lead the conversation on their health rights.
OUR SMS PROGRAMMES
Our Health Rights Defenders are children and young people aged 9-17 living with a health condition or concern. They’ve taken part in our Self-Management Skills Programmes which are designed to help children feel more confident, build self esteem, cope with stress and know more about their Health Rights. These SMS Programmes are six weeks long and run through the year. They are completely free and don’t require a diagnosis to take part. Professionals can refer or you can self refer by CLICKING HERE.
📝 We want to hear from you.
Whether you are a child or young person, parent or carer, student, professional or ally — your experience matters.
➡️ Take part in the national survey on children’s rights: CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART
Thank you to our supporters
