SERVICE DETAILS
Children’s Health Scotland offers a Self-Management Service for children and young people with long-term health conditions.
The Self-Management Service (SMS) is a Programme of face-to-face workshops and is available for children and young people living in the Lothians.
Two SMS Programmes are available, one for children aged 10 to 12 and one for young people aged 13 to 17 years.
What is Self-Management?
Self-Management means improving the relationship that you have with your health and wellbeing and building your confidence and self-esteem. We will support you to access information and develop skills to cope with your health condition and meet other young people living with health conditions.
Self-Management does not focus on managing a specific health condition, but empowers young people to manage their own health and wellbeing.
What happens during the Programme?
Living with a long-term health condition can be overwhelming and isolating. During the Programme, you will meet other young people who understand how it feels to cope with a health condition.
Workshops have an informal atmosphere with a mixture of activities and games to help you get to know other young people on the Programme and have fun! We cover a range of topics in the workshops including:
What does ‘health’ mean to you?
- Living with worries
- Stress-management, relaxation and self-care
- Talking about your health with others
- Coping with change
- Healthcare rights
We listen to children and young people and we adapt our Programmes to meet your needs and concerns.
It is normal to feel nervous about attending something new. Our friendly team will support you through the Programme.
Where and when?
We will meet in Edinburgh once a week for six-weeks. Groups will have between six and ten people your age, and two coaches will work with each group.
Our final session is always a fun social activity chosen by you! This can be an indoor activity such as bowling or crazy golf, or an outdoor activity like climbing or a beach BBQ!
Why should I attend?
The Self-Management Service Programmes can help you build:
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
- Coping and relaxation skills
- Communication skills
- Friendships and connections
- Access to social activities
- Opportunities for volunteering and peer mentoring
What happens after the Programme?
Once you have finished the six-week Programme, you will be invited to join our SMS:CONNECT Hub – an online community space where you can keep in touch with us and the young people you met on your Programme if you would like to!
Interested?
To find out more please contact the SMS team
If you would like to make a referral for yourself, your child, or for someone you support or work with – please complete our online form or download a referral form at https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/service/lothian-self-management.
