Empowering youth voices to influence the systems that impact them.
Advocacy Groups
Our in-hospital advocacy workshops offer a safe, independent space where children and young people can speak openly about what matters to them. We help them identify priorities, express their views in their own words, and ensure those views reach the people and systems that can make meaningful change. Every session is designed to empower young people, strengthen their self-belief, and show them that their voice has real influence.
Advocacy Groups
Our workshops balance open exploration with clear structure. Young people are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, identify what helps, and set priorities that matter to them. A simple shared framework captures their ideas and next steps, ensuring their voices are recorded and communicated to the right teams. The emphasis is on creating change: helping CYP feel heard, understood, and supported by the systems around them.
Activities help young people prepare what they want to say and how they want to say it. Participants identify preferences, questions, and boundaries, then agree how these will be shared and followed up. Their voice guides the project from the very first ideas to the final actions.
Sessions are interactive, tailored, and designed to build teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Each workshop produces something meaningful—such as a mini action plan, training materials for hospital staff, information booklets, or creative posters.
Workshops are transparent about what change can come from the session, so young people know what to expect. Participants shape the pace and choose how to engage—through chat, polls, written prompts, or creative reflection. The focus is on creating an accessible, impactful space where every voice is valued and respected.
Connecting a young person with our support only takes a few minutes.
Complete our online referral form.
FAQs
We’ve gathered answers to help you learn more about how Bright Futures UK works and how we can support you.
Children and young people aged 5 to 24 in the United Kingdom whose education has been disrupted by a long-term physical or mental health condition. You need to have a diagnosis or be in the process of receiving one. We believe illness should not block learning or a young person’s future.
Online and personalised one-to-one tutoring, befriending, and mentoring led by volunteers. We also run group activities, including befriending, workshops, and CYP advocacy. Our aim is to make education accessible and equitable wherever you are learning from.
Adults from a mix of backgrounds, including university students, recent graduates, and professionals. Some are teachers or trainee teachers. All are here to help you learn with empathy and encouragement.
Most sessions are about one hour. We tailor the length and structure to energy levels, for example, shorter segments with a planned break.
It depends on your personal goals and progress. We review at regular intervals with you and your volunteer and agree whether to continue, pause, or end.
Children and young people aged 5 to 24 in the United Kingdom whose education has been disrupted by a long-term physical or mental health condition. They need to have a diagnosis or be in the process of receiving one. We believe illness should not block learning or a young person’s future.
Yes. Every volunteer completes an enhanced DBS check, safeguarding training, and role-specific training before they start. They are supported and supervised by Bright Futures UK staff.
They can support learning, confidence, goal setting, and social connection. They cannot offer medical advice, crisis support, or therapy, and they do not handle emergencies. Volunteers cannot accept payment for their support.
A young person, their parent, or carer can refer. Professionals such as hospital or school staff can refer with the child or young person’s consent. A Bright Futures team member will meet online to understand goals and needs, agree on a plan that the child or young person helps shape, and then match them with a trained volunteer.
No. All programmes are free.