“Absolutely amazing & truly inspirational!”
I am writing this endorsement in support of your nomination for a Queens Voluntary Award for the amazing work you and The Reporters’ Academy have done in partnership with Alder Hey’s Youth Forum and in particular their recent visit to London to meet and interview Simon Stevens, Chief Executive NHS and also at Expo 2019 (Manchester). The resulting videos and reports produced by your team are outstanding and really show the great work that you all do in supporting young people to develop skills in new areas, all of which support them to have a voice and reach their true potential.
I have had the privilege to work with you, Katy and the team over the last 5 years on a variety of projects, in my previous roles regionally and nationally with NHS England and now in my current Director role at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. The skill, dedication, passion, professionalism and compassion you show every young person you work with is exceptional and inspiring. Through working with you and the team on a wide range of projects I have seen first-hand the really positive impact your work has with young people and the real difference it makes to their lives.
The regional and national work we previously did together on Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation; how safeguarding professionals can safeguard children & young people; and the important role of children & young people in designing health services was truly excellent. With you and the team working sensitively with young people to ensure that their views and experiences were captured and portrayed compassionately and accurately.
Both you and Katy are absolutely amazing and truly inspirational human beings. The work The Reporters’ Academy does is a shining example of what can be achieved when you support and enable children and young people to have a voice and bring about change in the world. This is really evident through your work currently with the Youth Forum @Alderhey, the young people are absolutely inspired and honoured to be part of this work and I as their director and executive lead have seen them grow in confidence, professionalism and passion for how they can influence and be part of a positive change in the NHS and services for young people.
Without you and your team’s support this wouldn’t have been possible. I know they are all excited about how we can work together on future projects and we couldn’t imagine you and The Reporters’ not being part of our journey to change how health staff engage and work with children and young people to lead change within the NHS and wider health and social care partnerships.