This news in from the NHS, looks interesting for anyone between 11-19 years old. Ed
NHS Isle of Wight are recruiting volunteers aged 11-19 years to join a ‘Check it Out IW’ Youth Forum which gives young people an opportunity to get more involved with how local health services are tailored for young people.
‘Check it Out IW’ will be supporting the ‘Your Welcome’ Quality Criteria published by the Department of Health. ‘Your Welcome’ sets out principles to support service providers that provide information, advice and guidance on health to improve their services and become more ‘young people friendly’.
Become a mystery shopper
The new forum will carry out various activities such a Mystery Shopper role to find out how ‘young people friendly’ and simple services are to use, such as GPs, drop in clinics and pharmacies and whether they meet the ten quality standards set by the Department of Health.
These are:
- Accessibility
- Publicity
- Confidentiality and consent
- The environment
- Staff training, skills, attitudes and values
- Monitoring and evaluation, and involving young people
- Joined-up working
- Health Issues for Adolescents
- Sexual health and reproductive health services
- Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
The ‘Check it Out IW’ Youth Forum will be invited to feedback their findings to the services which will result in service improvements being made. The young people themselves will elect their own Chair and Vice Chair for the group and will meet on a monthly basis initially.
Recognition for your involvement
In return for their efforts, the Island’s NHS will be offering a reward scheme and CV building certificates for their work as well as the opportunity to meet other young people. Local ‘You’re Welcome’ Leads are also currently exploring opportunities to link the work and volunteering hours that the group do, to national accreditation schemes. Any travel costs incurred whilst undertaking Youth Forum activities will be reimbursed.
Rachael Hayes, NHS Senior Commissioning Manager for Childrens Policy said: “The people that know best about how we are doing are the people that use our services. This is a real opportunity for enthusiastic young people to get involved and help us to ensure local health services are meeting the needs of young people, whilst gaining valuable experience and skills for example participation in meetings, public speaking and training events, which will help to put them in good stead for the future.”
Get in touch now
Application forms are available on the NHS Isle of Wight website homepage ‘Have your Say’ at www.iow.nhs.uk and must be returned by Wednesday 17th November 2010. Alternatively, for more information and a hard copy application form, call, text or email: Teresa 07917 163 409 or [email protected] or Jo 534259 or [email protected]
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a drop-in day on Saturday 20th November where members of the ‘Check it Out IW’ Forum will be selected.
