The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn asked Healthwatch Norfolk to help it form stronger connections with young people by setting up a Youth Council.
What did we do?
We worked with the hospital to create a promotional film and asset, before carrying out an engagement programme with schools, colleges, youth groups and employers to find people aged 16 to 25 to be part of it.
The first meeting was held in December 2024 with an initial five members, which was doubled to 10 in early summer 2025.
They have since identified their first priorities to work on which are ensuring young members of staff and volunteers have access to buddying when they start work. This was based around both the observations of council members working for the trust, as well as those thinking of working there as an incentive to apply.
Members also wanted to understand what support is available to patients who may be victims of domestic violence. This followed concerns raised by one member who works in maternity and wanted more information about the help that could be accessed for those being cared for within the hospital.
Based on the first year of operation, we recommend:
- Continuing the recruitment process in order to bring on board up to 5 new members three times a year, up to a maximum of 15 members.
- Communication is key and we recommend the setting up of communications platforms for the Youth Council members to share what they are doing with their peers and the wider community.
Linked with this, regularly referring back to the way the Council works through its Terms of Reference and highlighting what it has achieved is key. - As the Council works in parallel with the Governors, we would also recommend a Governor being seconded to the group to help take things forward alongside the hospital facilitator and it will also help show how the Council fits into the hierarchy of the hospital.
