By London YPAG,
Hi guys,
My name is Alexis and I`m 9 years old. Hope you’re well! I`m part of a group called Young Person’s Advisory Group at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Yes, I know that the name is quite a mouthful, but that`s why we have a shortened version: YPAG.
In YPAG we get to do a lot of cool things, like in our last meeting we discussed what medical companies can do to improve their work for children and young people. Not that it was all bad before anyway, but we help them to understand young people’s views and so it can be better understood by people our age. Doctors and Scientists also come often and tell us about new clinical trials, which are ways to make health better. When they come to our meeting they ask about our opinion. For example, we tell them what they will need to do to build on the leaflets that they hand out to patients to make sure it is easy to read and understand i.e.: what they are planning to do in the future.
I found out about the group when I went to a Science Fair at UCL (it was really fun and I had some of my cousins with me too!). I have a lot of fun at YPAG, as the people there are friendly, of different ages and open to talk to. Last weekend at YPAG, we were talking about T-cells, and some people came all the way from Switzerland (!) to talk about the work they do and to get our opinions and perspective.
Do you know what a T -cell is?
If not, I will tell you now: It is a cell that can detect cancerous (cancer) cells and engulfs them by sort of embracing them, then they release poisonous enzymes/fluids which serves as a catalyst and kills the cancer cells.
Also, you can have conflicting views with the companies visiting YPAG and that is fine because they want to learn about your opinion and your views. Overall, YPAG is every 6-8 weeks. There will be many activities while you are at YPAG. The leader of the group provides lunch (which is delicious by the way) and also give us free train tickets.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE NEXT MEETING!
Alexis.
Nottingham YPAG meeting ‘Innovation Challenge’ by Olivia
An educational short film made for, and presented by, primary school children.
These scenarios have been developed and tested by Generation R YPAGs.
