Listening to young people about important issues
Our Youth Board launched in October 2021. The members were welcomed to the Trust by Dr Elizabeth Aitken, Medical Director, Helen Knower, Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Robert Cole, Head of Nursing for Children and Young People.
Since the launch the board members (we currently have 20) have toured the children’s areas across site and started work on the: ‘You’re Welcome’ national standards project to see how ‘young person friendly’ we are as a Trust.
They will be speaking with staff, patients (and their families) and partner organisations to look at patient pathways and to see what support and resources are available. Sulan Gingell, from our Quality Improvement (QI) team, joined the board meeting to give an introduction to QI and to support the board in this important project.
The board have decided to rotate the Chair and Co-Chair positions between them to ensure they are all able to gain valuable experience in these roles and also have a Diversity Lead in place who will meet regularly with our Multicultural Inclusion Network.
The youth board members have also received bespoke HR training to equip members with the skills to join our interview panels as we are keen to ensure the voices of young people are included in our decision making processes.
If you would like to, or you know any young people who might be interested in joining the youth board please contact our Paient Experience team on: LG.PatientExperienceLGT@nhs.net
In their own words: our amazing Youth Board members on why they joined:
"I initially joined the Youth Board in March 2022 to find some more information on Children's Services. After learning of the major benefits and impacts of the Youth Board on Children's Services, I've become a member, and look forward to continuing my journey with LGT." – Abinaya
"I'm currently in Year 13, and I joined the LGT Youth Board in April 2022 in hope to learn and strengthen my skills and contribute ideas to teams in the NHS, by helping in the Children's Ward in Queen Elizabeth and Lewisham Hospitals!" – Sumedh
"I joined the Youth Board when it was formed. I am currently in Year 11, and I'm interested in going into a career in healthcare to help others and to improve their quality of life – specifically for people our age and children currently." – Betsey