Young people across Sandwell and West Birmingham are being given a growing voice in the future of local healthcare through Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust’s vibrant Youth Space community. The group brings young people together every month to meet, share ideas, learn more about healthcare and, importantly, influence how NHS services develop for the communities they serve.
The group’s meetings combine social activities with opportunities for young people to get involved in real NHS projects and discussions. A recent meeting demonstrated the breadth of Youth Space’s work, celebrating members’ involvement in projects including Martha’s Rule, community research, the 15 Steps Challenge, a dental discovery day, a surgical patient experience survey, work around young people and cancer, resuscitation training and the development of an anti-boredom box.
Members are also being encouraged to take on leadership roles themselves. Youth Space has established a Youth Advisory Group, with members putting themselves forward for positions and their fellow young people voting on who should represent them. Jayne Salter Scott, Engagement Lead at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust explained: “Youth Space is about giving young people a genuine seat at the table. We don’t simply want to ask them what they think after a service has been designed. We want their voices, experiences and ideas to be part of the conversation as services are developed and improved.
“What makes Youth Space so special is the community that has grown around it. Our monthly meetings are lively, welcoming and fun, but there is a serious purpose behind them too. Members are increasingly contributing to projects right across the Trust and bringing a perspective that we simply couldn’t get without them.
“These are the people who will use, work in and advocate for NHS services in the years ahead. Listening to them now makes us a better organisation and helps us make better decisions.”
Youth Space is designed to ensure engagement leads to tangible opportunities. Members have been given the chance to contribute to patient experience work and the Trust’s Fit for the Future Transformation Programme, as well as taking part in community events, careers activity and quality improvement work. The September meeting, held last week, typified the informal and inclusive approach. Members had time to catch up over pizza before discussing their activities, choosing representatives for the Youth Space Advisory Group and hearing about new opportunities to get involved.
Group Chief Nursing Officer Mel Roberts added: “Young people notice things adults can miss. They ask different questions, challenge assumptions and bring new ideas and energy. If we genuinely want NHS services to reflect the communities we serve, young people’s voices need to be heard clearly and consistently. We’re incredibly proud of how Youth Space is growing, but our ambition is to go further. We want more young people to join us, develop their skills, make new connections and discover that their voice really can make a difference.”