Young people from across Sandwell and West Birmingham are helping to shape the future of local NHS services through Youth Space, the Trust’s youth forum for 13–21‑year‑olds interested in health, hospitals, and careers in the NHS.
Youth Space gives young people a platform to share their views, influence how services are designed, and learn more about the wide range of careers available within the NHS. Each session focuses on a different area of healthcare, offering members a behind‑the‑scenes look at how services work and the chance to say what’s working well and what could be improved. Members also receive support with CVs, UCAS applications, and career development.
Recently, 15 Youth Space members took part in a dedicated focus group on sexual health. The session was led by Harpal Tiwana, Service Manager, Talibah Sterling, Lead Nurse for Sandwell Sexual Health Service and Jayne Saunders, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Sexual Health and HIV. With the Trust’s sexual health service team keen to ensure young people’s voices are central to shaping the future service offer, the interactive session enabled young people to prioritise what matters most to them identifying improvements the team can begin working on immediately, as well as longer‑term ambitions.
The group also agreed to become the Trust’s Young Persons Sexual Health Reference Group, continuing to advise on service development. Members will visit The Lyng, where the service is based, later this summer to give feedback on the venue and environment. Justyna, Youth Space member and ambassador explained: “Being an ambassador means I can help make services better for people my age. I want young people to feel confident, informed, and listened to when it comes to their health. If I can help make that happen, then I know I’m making a difference.”
Jayne Salter Scott, Engagement Lead for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust added: “Youth Space matters because young people see things adults often miss. Their honesty, insight, and creativity help us design services that truly work for them. When young people are involved from the start, we build better, more responsive care for our communities.”
Youth Space continues to explore a wide range of health topics from surgical services and mental health to palliative care giving young people a unique opportunity to learn, influence, and see for themselves how their health service is evolving.