Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had already taken significant steps to involve young people in its governance structures. The trust ran a targeted publicity campaign regarding NHS foundation trust status, and created a place on the trust’s governing council for a youth representative.

Barnsley youth service has a track record of pioneering work with young people. Assisted by us, the trust and the youth service are now working together to use the existing structures for youth participation in Barnsley to develop young people’s involvement in the trust.

As well as working with the trust and youth service to facilitate meetings between trust governors and members of Barnsley youth council, we helped them organise a themed under-18s nightclub event. This helped raise awareness of health issues and promote involvement in the trust among the young people of Barnsley .

This project is enhancing the means by which the young people of Barnsley can play an active role in the governance of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It is also assisting the trust in ensuring that it is truly representative of the community it serves, and can therefore bring about tangible improvements in the health services that it provides for young people.

The process itself also enables young people to learn about decision making; promotes healthy living to young people; and compliments the national curriculum's citizenship education agenda.

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