NUH Youth Club have worked with professional music artists, Matt Blick and Kirk Spencer, to develop a song which captured what it is like to be a young person with a long-term health condition and what the Youth Service means to us. This was showcased at The Broadway Cinema, as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations.
This project was commissioned by Inspire Youth Arts and funded by Nottinghamshire Music Hub.
We began by capturing various sound samples such as hitting a wall, potting a snooker ball, and stamping on the floor, which we recorded as videos to potentially include visual elements in the project. These sounds were intended to add a unique texture to the song we aimed to create.
Some of us described our experience to Matt and Kirk as being on the edge of a cliff, facing daily uncertainty. We shared the challenges we encounter, the impact on our lives and our coping mechanisms, highlighting our courage and resilience.
To translate these emotions into music, Kirk developed several guitar ideas while young people created artwork symbolizing the cliff’s edge. We began crafting melody and lyrics around this concept. As our sessions progressed, the song evolved. We developed a pre-chorus based on the melody and were fortunate to have Emily & Eryn contribute their vocal talent, enhancing the song’s emotional depth. We created a powerful chorus that transitioned from negative to more hopeful feelings, emphasising the importance of support during challenging times.
Throughout the process, we recorded each session, which helped us refine the song. We also incorporated additional layers with Ethan on the keyboard and Logan on the drums, enriching the track’s soundscape.
It has been amazing working with Matt & Kirk throughout this project and we didn’t expect to see our song and video on the big screen!
We hope you enjoy the song and visuals. You can listen and watch here
We have an exciting opportunity for an activity residential from 19th – 23rd August at the Lea Green Learning & Development Centre in Matlock, Derbyshire.
If you are 11-18 years old, living with a long-term health condition and associated with Nottingham Children’s Hospital and NUH Youth Service then this is for you!
Take part in lots of outdoor activities, meet others, learn new skills, gain confidence and have fun!
For further information and access to a Booking Form, please click here
We have lots going on that you can get involved with over the Summer Holidays. Meet up with the Youth Team and other young people who access hospital services.
Check out our diary of events and choose what you would like to take part in. Then fill out the Booking Form and consent form and return it to us to secure your place.
Places are limited on some of the activities, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Click here to download further information and a Booking Form.
During Youth Work Week 2023 in November, members of Youth Voice joined Donna & Clare on a trip to Westminster…
Dennis and Maia shared their Youth Work journey with the National Youth Agency, which featured in the showcase for Youth Work Week through a 5 minute film.
The film was shown, along with clips from other Youth Services around the country, at the Youth Summit in the Houses of Parliament.
Donna, Youth Service Manager, was also invited to be on a panel at the summit to represent Hospital Youth Work.
Join us in August for our exciting Summer Programme!
We have 5 weeks of activities for you to get involved in this summer.
Just download our Summer Programme and decide what you would like to do; then fill out the booking and consent forms and get them back to us to secure your place.
Please note that places are limited so book early so you don’t miss out!
Bring your form to Youth Club, email it to us: nuhyouthservice@nuh.nhs.uk or send it through the post to: NUH Youth Service, Nottingham Children’s Hospital, QMC Campus, Derby Road, Nottingham. NG7 2UH.
Contact us for any questions or further information.
Our new Wellbeing Sessions are designed to give young people support, advice & a positive mental health boost!
All aimed for young people 13-21 years, living with a long-term health condition
Virtual Wellbeing Drop-in:
The Virtual Wellness Hub runs every Monday from 5-6pm on Zoom. No need to make an appointment; just drop in to the waiting room and our Emotional Health Youth Worker will be on hand to offer information and advice. Contact us for the Zoom Code
Virtual Wellbeing Academy:
The Virtual Wellbeing Academy runs every Monday from 7-8pm on Zoom. Take part in a range of bite-size sessions focussed on emotional health and wellbeing, all designed to help you get the most of life and take positive steps forward. Contact us for the Zoom Code
The Wellness Hub:
The Wellness Hub is a new space for young people to drop in and gain support and advice from our Emotional Health Youth Worker. Running every Wednesday from 5-6pm at the Monty Hind Centre (where we hold our weekly Youth Club). No appointment necessary – just drop in.
We have lots going on that you can get involved with over the Summer Holidays. Meet up with the Youth Team and other young people who access hospital services.
Check out our diary of events and choose what you would like to take part in. Then fill out the Booking Form and consent form and return it to us to secure your place.
Places are limited on some of the activities, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Click here to download further information and a Booking Form.
We recently got together with some young people to talk about Health Transition and the impact of Youth Work and our Aspire Programme, as part of their journey.
Nathan is one of our volunteers and has been involved in the Youth Service for many years. Nathan is a great role model and valued member of our team! Here is is blog about living with Cerebral Palsy:
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological health condition that affects 1 in 400 people within the UK. CP can affect people in different ways meaning you can not find two people affected in the same way, which is down to the severity of a brain injury/learning difficulty and the affected area(s) of the body. The affected areas can range from one limb, to all for limbs (an arm, one side of the body, one half of the body, or the whole body) including the torso causing problem with posture, balance and movement.
My type of CP and My Journey:
The type of CP I have is known as Spastic Quadriplegia which affects my whole body. Some of the symptoms can include, muscle tightness and stiffness, walking difficulties, seizures and speech impairments.
With my CP I have a moderate learning difficulty that can have an affect on how I learn things. My balance, coordination and movement are affected by high muscle tone which restricts my movement. Some of theses muscles are stronger than others throughout my body, due to the tightness and stiffness in some areas I find it difficult to bend or straighten my arms and legs.
With the help of physio, and family helping me to do things from a young age, I was able to improve and maintain my balance and becoming less dependent on things being done for me. As a result from my CP some tasks take me longer to do than others but by doing things my self in my own way I have became more and more independent. Some of the things I have always found difficult are bending down, picking up small objects, carrying different amounts of weight, walking up and down steps without hand rails, as this makes me feel like I would fall and activities that require hand-eye coordination.
I was around 5 years old when I able to walk without a frame, and could only manage walking short distances without falling over my own feet or tripping over. I was able to attend mainstream schools despite needing a little extra help with learning. I was also fortune to have regular physio sessions in school where I had to do a variety of exercises which has helped me improve my balance and coordination. Up until I was 12 I had multiple outpatient’s appointments to have casts made for my splints (AFOs) and hip twister brace’s, foot measurements and gate analysts. Having all the appointments didn’t bother me although they seemed a little frustrating as I was doing the same things repetitively.
Learning to ride a bike was one of the best things I did, as it improved my balanced and coordination, even though I had stabilisers until about age 9. In the late 90’s early 2000 I went to see a Dr about having an operation to straighten my legs and feet, which would make my walking easier and better. I felt very nervous about this and didn’t want it at first, but im glad I had it.
On the 21 May 2001, I had a short stay in hospital to have the operation. After 6 weeks of not being able to weight bare, I couldn’t wait to get back on my feet. Learning to walk again seemed strange at first, after a few months of slowly getting back on my feet I became less dependent on the wheelchair. After this I continued with my physio and hydrotherapy swimming which helped to keep me loose and mobile.
Soon after I found out about the NUH Youth Service and went to different sports clubs were I was able to get involved and socialise with others. By getting involved with these clubs I was able to socialise and compete with people with similar abilities, keep active and develop and learn skills. After being involved with these groups for several years I went on to volunteering and trained to be a sports coach, and give other people the opportunities I’ve had.
