Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child relates to ensuring children’s and young people voices are heard.
NHS Borders uses Care Opinion which is a website where anyone can tell stories about their care from doctors, nurses or other health professionals and about the experience at hospital or other health places. It is a safe space where you can say what was good or what could be better about your care, so hospitals and staff can listen, learn and improve. You do not need to give your name when sharing your opinion. Each opinion will recieve a response from NHS Borders.
You can tell your story by following this link: Tell your story with help from Bear
NHS Borders is also part of a multi-agency that has helped developed a participation and engagement strategy for young people aged 12yr to 25yr called The Youth Engagement Listen to Learn (YELL) strategy. This is a ‘How to Guide’ written by local young people to support agencies in the Scottish Borders, to involve young people in their work.
The YELL strategy has helped local young people be involved in the creation of the Scottish Borders Youth Nicotine Prevention Toolkit. The toolkit is a rights based resource designed to support children and young people, services and communities in preventing and addressing nicotine use among children and young people.
The Toolkit offers evidence based key messaging, cessation support and pathways, educational resources and materials to create nicotine free environments, all aimed at empowering young people to make informed healthy choices.