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Emma Sparrow

Children and young people's engagement specialist.

Emma Sparrow is the Service Lead for Children and Young People's Engagement at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). With over 25 years of experience in youth social action, volunteer management, children's rights, and youth work, she plays a pivotal role in advocating for the active involvement of children and young people in healthcare decisions that affect them.

In her position, Sparrow leads initiatives aimed at engaging young people in shaping policies, improving services, and enhancing their overall healthcare experiences. This includes developing bespoke engagement plans that consider the diverse needs of young participants and creating opportunities for them to voice their opinions effectively. Under her leadership, the RCPCH has emphasized a rights-based approach, ensuring that children and young people's insights are integral to the organization's activities and decisions.13

Sparrow has also adapted engagement strategies during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that young voices remain heard despite barriers like digital exclusion. Her efforts have resulted in increased participation from young people, demonstrating their capacity to contribute meaningfully to discussions about their health and wellbeing.24

Highlights

Jul 31 · linkedin

A strange thing happened at the start of the month, my Linkedin was hacked. Not sure how, not sure why, but over night I became Timmy who works for Tesla in California, and all my volunteering, education and work vanished and was replaced with something that couldn't have been further from who I am. Invites were sent out to connect with people from a totally different industry and 48 hours of going back and forth to get access back ensued, including a full 9 hour virus review of my work laptop, just in case.

It took longer than I thought to add everything back on to my profile (none of it is saved, note to self, take a back up!). This gave me lots of time to reflect on what each course, job and volunteer role meant to me, thinking about the memories, the learning and the impact they had on who I am now. It showed me that there are clear themes that run through everything I've done:

📢 engagement with people and communities 📢 rights, equity and equality 📢 empowerment 📢 community led solutions 📢 having a purpose and working towards outcomes that bring benefit

This all happened at the end of an intense 6 month chapter at work, where we have moved to the next phase of children and young people's voice. Following significant investment in the team, agreement to move forward on important new programmes, 100s of examples of the difference passionate volunteers and staff can make, as well as saying goodbye to some of those volunteers, who have been with us for 7+ years and now move on in their lives as young adults or on to new roles as clinicians.

I've been thinking through the last few months about what leadership style I need to have as we go through this next stage of transformation in our voice mission, thinking about the leaders that inspire me and the qualities and values that I want to show. I've been stuck in imposter syndrome mode for a while, but thinking through the last 6 months of reviewing our programmes, celebrating successes with children, young people & families, sharing in support given and received, and going through the last 20+ years of my career to update Linkedin (again!), I'm starting to feel clearer again and ready for the next phase.

I heard a quote yesterday that has really resonated with me and prompted this post, which I'm going to keep reflecting on and see how I can do more good - shared below to inspire everyone's Wednesday. Looking forward to the next 6 months!

#leadership #engagement #empowerment #reflection

Jun 13 · linkedin

We are having the best time at the #NHSConfedExpo in Manchester, where we have a stand to share the children and young people's engagement offer from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

#ConfedExpo delegates have been stopping by to find out more about Children's Rights, patient and public involvement methodology and legislation, as well as exploring how we can help in all age services (including HR, the supply chain, commissioning and direct delivery) to support the needs, wishes and ideas from 0-25 years olds can be understood and harnessed through effective engagement.

Looking forward to day two kicking off at 8am and asking more people...what % of the population are under 18? 71% were surprised by the right answer!

To find out more about how we can support your #NHS service go to https://lnkd.in/ePAaErY3 and to read the election manifesto from 700 children and young people who have been working with RCPCH https://lnkd.in/eQVGbQp9

#OurHealthMatters2024 #VoiceMatters #ChildHealth

Related Questions

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How has Emma Sparrow's team adapted engagement activities during the pandemic?
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How does Emma Sparrow ensure that children's voices are heard in policy decisions?
What training does Emma Sparrow offer to healthcare professionals on engaging with children?
Emma Sparrow
Emma Sparrow, photo 1
Emma Sparrow, photo 2
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Location

London, England, United Kingdom