the challenge in action
Barnardo’s and RCPCH ran a series of pilots to test the full programme with groups online, in person and from different backgrounds. We’ve worked with over 320 young people over 22 sites. The pilots have provided evaluation feedback on young people’s experience and professional observation on the potential to achieve the goals of raising awareness and connection to the NHS and improving health literacy.
developing peer support with the Sickle Cell Society
Our partners at RCPCH delivered 3, 2 hour online sessions with 11 children and young people from across the country. aged, 7-12, in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Society
During these sessions the young people chose to look at 7 challenges in ‘About the NHS’ ‘Jobs’ and ‘Healthy Mind’ topics across the ‘Get Interested’ and ‘Get Involved’ toolkits. Their favourite activity was the opportunity to run a Q&A session with a nurse and medical student.
Fostering connections
“It’s really impressive that they all worked so well together as a new group that hadn’t met with new staff on new topics!” - Staff member at Sickle Cell Society
The young people were meeting in these sessions for the first time and getting them involved in the Young People’s Health Challenge enabled them to meet other young people with the same condition and build connections. They were able to understand more about how others managed their health needs, as well as develop a peer support network.
“Learned a lot and it was fun’’
Young person from the Sickle Cell Society
Making sessions accessible
The virtual element added an additional challenge to the sessions. Hard copies of the resources were sent to all young people involved, and the challenges were adapted so that young people were able to contribute and engage in a safe and engaging environment. There was also a BSL interpreter on the call who was able to support those who’s first language was BSL.
“Being able to access staff who use BSL and access to interpreters made it a really inclusive experience.”
For more insight into how to adapt the Challenge for your group online, get in touch and speak to our fantastic team
creating community connections
A fantastic group of 20 Badgers, aged 7-10, in Backwell, Somerset, took part in 4 challenges of different themes over the three-week period.
After recently taken part in activities to increase awareness about health conditions and NHS services, the leaders wanted to reinforce existing learning using the Young People’s Health Challenge.
Whilst taking part in the ‘Connection Tree’ activity, the children developed a discussion around where they can find support and where they support each other.
Our activities were designed to be adaptive, and we love that the Backwell Badgers got creative and wanted to build on the original idea. The group used their artistic talents to make a big paper tree in their Parish Hall and invited everybody from the village to see it. Young people were also teaching CPR skills and shared new facts they’d learned about the NHS
Thank you Backwell Badgers for showing us how these toolkits can be used to facilitate amazing community links!
You can find out more about the benefits and impact of taking part in the Challenge on our ‘Why Take Part’ page
“You can help people lots of ways- when they are lonely say hello. Tell people about the NHS so when they are sick they can get help”
A young person’s reflection of their learning at Backwell badgers