We know the impact of living with a disability and chronic illness can be severe, overwhelming, and isolating. Children and young people are at risk from social isolation, difficulty in making friends, poor mental health and wellbeing, and poor educational and career outcomes due to missing school. A grant from the Pixel Fund is helping Children's Health Scotland deliver Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes and a monthly online HUB to children and young people living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Both provide a vital lifeline for children and young people aged 9-17 year and are focused on improving mental health and wellbeing.
Our Programmes are delivered both online and face-to-face and are fully inclusive, with a strong focus on building respectful, compassionate, and trusting relationships. With our support children and young people build a toolkit of life-long self-management skills which empower them to take control of managing their mental health and wellbeing and their future life choices. We work in collaboration with partners and health professionals to deliver the Programmes and to tackle mental health stigma, trauma, and living with invisible health conditions. Thanks to funding from trusts such as The Pixel Fund, we can support children and young people for as long as they need us.
Here is just a snippet of the feedback we’ve received:
Tara, aged-12: “It’s been amazing, honestly, to have a Programme like this which is child-led for people like me with health issues. It’s been just amazing, especially post-covid. Thank you.”
Gail, mum: “What a wonderful unconditional support. Empowering others with an unconditional acceptance and kind support. Brilliant. Thank you and well done. All power to you!”
Imogen, Healthcare Professional: “I just wanted to feedback on the positive effect that the SMS Programmes has had on one of my patients. I saw her in our clinic yesterday and she was very excited to tell me that she had taken part and how good it had been. Previously blood tests have been very difficult for her (up to 45 minutes to prepare and many tears) but yesterday it took just five minute to successfully manage to get bloods. Her self-confidence seemed much improved and just overall much happier. So, thank you!”