What happens when young people get involved in health and care?
Learning About Healthwatch
Emily and Joanna spent the week learning about Healthwatch’s mission — to hear people’s experiences and use that feedback to shape better health and care services. They were introduced to Healthwatch’s values, brand, tone of voice, and the importance of accessible information. Through e-learning, team discussions, and research, they developed a strong understanding of how listening to the public makes a real difference.
Creating youth-friendly content
Both students created digital content tailored for a young audience. Emily focused her blog and video on encouraging young people to share their experiences with health and care services. Her content explained why feedback matters, how Healthwatch uses it to make change, and reassured young people that their voices are important.
Joanna, meanwhile, created a blog and video introducing Healthwatch — explaining who they are, how they help, and how young people can get involved. She ensured her content was clear and relatable, helping to make Healthwatch more visible and relevant to her peers.
"This week has shown me how important it is to have access to the right information and support. Creating content that helps other young people find the help they need has been really rewarding."
Researching what matters to young people
As part of their projects, both Emily and Joanna carried out research into how young people access health advice and support. Joanna focused on finding and signposting trusted websites and resources — including services for young people with autism and ADHD. Emily explored the barriers to giving feedback and how to make the process feel easier and more worthwhile. Together, their work helps Healthwatch better understand the needs and habits of younger audiences.
Why youth voices matter in North Yorkshire
In North Yorkshire, approximately 151,000 individuals under the age of 25 reside, making up a significant portion of the county. Speaking with young people is crucial, as their health and care needs are diverse and evolving, and they tell us they don't always feel visible or included in conversations. By involving young people like Emily and Joanna, Healthwatch ensures that services are tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by children and young people in the county.
Lasting impact
By the end of the week, both students had created two high-quality pieces of content — one blog post and one short video each — and presented their ideas to the Healthwatch team. Their projects will continue to support other young people in finding trusted information and sharing their experiences. Emily and Joanna’s work showed just how valuable young voices are — not only in creating better content but also in helping shape services that reflect the realities of young people’s lives.
"I’ve learned that young people’s voices matter, and sharing our experiences can really make a difference. It's empowering to know that our feedback can help improve health services for others."
