Celebrating National Children’s Day by putting young voices at the heart of care

a photo of Eddie eating toast sat at the end of his hospital bed

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is proud to celebrate National Children’s Day which takes place this Sunday (18 May), recognising the importance of children and young people being heard, valued, and actively involved in shaping the healthcare services they use.

Across Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury hospitals, as well as in community services, the Trust cares for thousands of children and young people every year, and their experiences, feedback, and voices are vital in helping to make service improvements.

This year, the Trust is highlighting the voices of young patients like 13-year-old Eddie Coppinger, who spent time at Pinderfields Hospital last weekend after breaking his wrist following what was described as a "heroic clearance of the ball" during a football match. Eddie said: “I just wanted to say thank you to the staff who looked after me during my stay. I felt listened to, and everyone was really kind, which made me feel more confident and less anxious – just like last time, when I broke my other wrist 18 months ago. I’m just glad it was nearly the end of the season!”

In response, the Trust’s Head of Children’s and Radiology Nursing, Matt Timms, said: “Thank you so much for your kind words, Eddie. It’s really important for us to hear directly from young people about their experience of care – it helps us understand what we're doing well and where we can make things even better.

“Our goal is to make sure every child feels safe, heard, and supported throughout their care. It’s not just about treatment, it’s about creating positive experiences, even during the most challenging times.”

Children and young people aged between 11 and 18, who have been cared for by the Trust - either at hospital or in the community - and who want to make a difference in healthcare, are invited to join their Youth Council. The group meets regularly and gets involved in staff interviews, service improvements, and hospital projects.

National Children’s Day also provides an opportunity to recognise the emotional and psychological impact of physical health challenges for young people, and the essential role of clinical psychology in paediatric care.

Dr Rachel Mumford, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Trust’s Clinical Lead for Paediatric Psychology, said: “When children and young people face physical health challenges and/or additional diagnoses, there can understandably be a significant emotional impact for the whole family. As clinical psychologists, our role is to support them and their families make sense of what they're going through, navigate challenges and promote psychological wellbeing alongside physical health.

“Within the Trust, we work closely with medical teams to provide holistic care, recognising that resilience often grows through adversity. Every day, we're inspired by the strength, courage, and hope shown by the families we support.”

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is proud to celebrate children’s voices - and the amazing staff who care for them - this National Children’s Day and every day.

For more information about our Youth Council, email: midyorks.my-ptexperience@nhs.net