Join the Youth Board to share your thoughts and experiences on key issues with Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. You’ll meet regularly throughout the year to have your say on various topics and get hands on helping create the solutions to problems through a group project. You’ll meet NHS staff and have access to further opportunities within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. 

Who can join?

Any young person aged 12-21 who lives or studies in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight or the New Forest. We want a diverse group of young people who are passionate about health and wellbeing and want to make a difference!

Why join?

• Meet like minded young people from across Hampshire, and beyond!
• Influence decision making within Southern Health & see actions as the outcome of your feedback, ideas and opinions.
• Find out how Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust operates and potential career paths with Southern Health.
• Work closely with NHS staff on a project or campaign within the Trust –  getting hands on to create solutions to a problem 
• Show your commitment and skills on your CV or UCAS.
• Access to Health Service Discounts as an NHS volunteer.

Meeting Dates

Meetings are held mostly online with opportunities to get together in-person throughout the year.
In person meetings will be held in the daytime during school holidays at Changemaker Studios Portsmouth, Unloc Office, Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB

Help with travel costs and arrangements is available.

Meeting 1: Monday 28th of October 2024, Portsmouth Changemaker Studios
Meeting 2: Monday the 2nd of December 2024, 16:30-18:00, Zoom
Meeting 3: Monday the 13th of January 2025, 16:30-18:00, Zoom
Meeting 4: Monday the 17th of February 2025, Portsmouth Changemaker Studios
Meeting 5: Monday the 17th of March 2025,16:30-18:00, Zoom
Meeting 6: Monday the 28th of April 2025,16:30-18:00, Zoom
Celebration: Thursday the 24th of July 2025, Portsmouth Changemaker Studios

Meet our current Youth Board Members 

If your application is successful you’ll join Zariyan, Lois & Henry on the Youth Board as well as our other ongoing members! Here’s what some of them had to say:

‘I had lots of opportunities to be really hands on and work on impactful projects.’ 

‘It’s inspired me to keep up to date with what’s happening in the NHS and think about how it will affect me and other young people around me and what I can do about that.’

‘‘I enjoyed the experience of working on separate projects in breakout rooms independently, however I also liked when we had specific meetings with visitors to learn more about a certain topic. I liked all the extra opportunities we had available.’

Applications close at 10am  on Tuesday 15th October 2024

FAQ’s

How do I apply?

• Simply click the button below to take you to our application form. Each year we receive a high number of applications and we reserve the right to close applications early if needed, so we recommend getting your application in as soon as possible!

What if I have to miss one of the meetings?

• We understand life happens, so if you do need to miss one of the meetings, we just ask that you let us know and we can let you know how to catch up with what you missed! If you already know there are some dates you cannot attend, please put this in your application form. Please note, this will not impact our decision making (unless, of course, you can only make 1 or 2 meetings!)

I don’t know much about how the NHS works, does that matter?

• Absolutely not! You will learn tons throughout the course of the Youth Board from experts within the NHS based on the different projects you may be working on!

Can I speak to someone about my application or to find out more?

• Of course! You can speak to the Youth Board Coordinator, Kellie. Her email is [email protected] or you can give her a text on 07780 074947