On Wednesday 10 November, the RCH Youth Advisory Council (Y@K) presented at the Children’s Hospitals Australasia annual conference in Melbourne.

Delegates heard from Y@K youth peer worker Jordan Hammond, Y@K mentor Tamara Myors and two Y@K members Shannon Dance and Brooke Dance. Each brought their own experience of being involved in Y@K, as well as how their rights as young people of The Royal Children’s Hospital are upheld.

Y@K members were keen to focus on right 2.2 because that’s what Y@K is all about-having a say, having a voice and feeling confident to use it. Right 2.2 states, ‘children and young people have the right to express freely their opinions on any issue that involves them and the right to be heard and to be taken into consideration in a way consistent with their age and maturity.’

As well as providing an overview of how the Y@K was developed and operates, members spoke about how they have a say and how their ideas, input and contribution make a difference to the experiences of other patients and families at the hospital.

Members were thrilled to receive such positive feedback following their presentation, with many delegates taking the time to speak to members one-on-one and find out more.

The conference also featured the launch of the Charter for Children’s Rights in Healthcare Settings and celebration of the 21st anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.