Children’s Health Week shines
Children and young people were at the heart of celebrations across CHAS during Children’s Health Week (7-13 September), culminating in a visit to Robin House by representatives from Children’s Health Scotland and Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner.
Throughout the week, children, families, staff and volunteers took part in activities designed to celebrate children’s rights, participation and choice, while showcasing how the voices of children and young people help shape care, services and experiences across CHAS.
The week concluded with a special visit from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killearn and representatives from Children’s Health Scotland, as CHAS celebrated the role children and young people play in shaping its services, care and activities.
The programme was developed following discussions linked to Children’s Health Scotland’s National Health Rights Survey 2026 and reflected the week's national focus on every child's right to achieve the best possible health.
Across the week, children and young people led and participated in a range of activities designed to celebrate their voices, choices and creativity. These included a Children's Health Week Menu Takeover, where favourite meal requests from children and young people were brought to life by catering teams, with macaroni cheese and sticky toffee pudding proving particularly popular.
Children, families, staff and volunteers also took part in a range of therapeutic play and engagement activities guided by a Children's Health Week activity booklet. One of the highlights was a kindness paper chain, which grew throughout the week as children recognised and celebrated acts of kindness shown by others and shared examples of kindness they had experienced themselves.
The week also coincided with a Parliamentary Reception hosted by CHAS at the Scottish Parliament, bringing together MSPs, Ministers, professionals, families and partners to discuss how Scotland can continue to improve care and support for children with life-shortening conditions and their families.
At Robin House, children and families enjoyed a celebration event featuring a pipe cleaner flower workshop led by CHAS service user Eilidh Duncan (15), a teddy-themed scavenger hunt and a teddy bears' picnic. Children were also invited to choose and adopt their favourite teddy bear to take home, thanks to donations from supporters and soft toy manufacturer McHugs.
The activities showcased the many ways CHAS supports children and families before, during and after the death of a child, while creating opportunities for play, joy, meaningful experiences and participation in decision-making.
Jennifer Rodgers, Director of Nursing and Family Support at CHAS, said:
"Children's Health Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children and young people at the heart of CHAS. Every day, we work in partnership with children and families to ensure their voices are heard, valued and acted upon. The week showcased the many ways children influence our services, activities and care, while reminding us of the importance of protecting every child's right to the best possible health and wellbeing.
"We were delighted to welcome representatives from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and Children’s Health Scotland to Robin House and to share the experiences of the children, young people and families who inspire everything we do."
Nicola Killean, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, said: “It’s wonderful to be at Robin House and see first-hand the amazing work that goes on here. It’s a place of great joy and warmth, with the love and care of children and families at its heart.
“Children have the right to the best possible health, and that’s why we support Scottish Children’s Health Week. It highlights the importance of a wide range of children's rights, like listening to children’s opinions, and making sure they are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them, including in their care."
Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, said:
“Scottish Children’s Health Week is about celebrating the people, partnerships and organisations that are making a positive difference to children’s health across Scotland. It was wonderful to join Nicola Killean and her team, alongside colleagues from CHAS, to celebrate the strong relationships we have built together. We are incredibly grateful to CHAS for hosting the event and for the vital support they provide to families every day.”
Through photographs, stories, artwork and activities created during the week, CHAS gathered a lasting record of how children and young people continue to shape services across the charity and help create welcoming, inclusive and meaningful experiences for families across Scotland.