Youth panel

Who are are we and what do we do?

Starlight’s Youth Panel is a group of 14–17-year-olds passionate about improving play in healthcare. Many of us draw on our own experiences of receiving care. Since launching in 2024, we’ve helped shape Starlight’s work, from reviewing the Play Well Box to judging the Health Play Innovation Awards and contributing ideas for this page. Young people are experts in their own experiences. Our insights help ensure Starlight’s services reflect what young people really want and need to make healthcare more fun and less stressful.

We meet throughout the year in engaging online and in-person sessions and are proud to be part of the Starlight team.

Join our Youth Panel

Meet our Youth Panel

Bios coming soon!

Aiden

Youth Panel Member

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Annis

Youth Panel Member

Austin

Youth Panel Member

Charlie

Youth Panel Member

Kira

Youth Panel Member

I wanted to be a youth panellist because of my mum, who is a paediatric nurse. She tells me stories from her hospital; sad and happy ones and it made me want to help kids in hospitals in any way I could. Play to me means escape from reality. If I was a biscuit, I would be a German HIT (choco sandwich biscuit) because I’m distant and ‘crunchy’ on the outside but bubbly and social able on the inside.

Lilly

Youth Panel Member

I joined the youth panel to try get play into adult health care as everyone should have the choice of play or not as everyone is different! Play is incredibly important to me as it is how children and adults learn and also can be used as a distraction before, during, and after procedures but also in healthcare settings. If I was to be a biscuit, I would be a Pink wafer because they are delicious yet cute!

McKenzie

Youth Panel Member

Nailah

Youth Panel Member

Molly-Mae

Youth Panel Member

I wanted to be a youth panellist because I wanted to make a difference to the world of paediatrics as they have helped me since I was three weeks old guiding me through the world of healthcare. Play is my escape and a place where my cystic fibrosis is irrelevant. If I was a biscuit, I would be a Jaffa cake as I can eat the whole packet, no problem.

Meet our Alumni

Annika

Youth Panel Alumni

I wanted to be a youth panellist because I wanted to help make a difference in children’s lives and use my own healthcare experience to be able to change policies and systems to make them more youth focused! Play to me is an escape from the alien environment of a hospital and provides me with an outlet to be myself and enjoy without worrying. If I was a biscuit, I would be a custard cream because I am quiet and shy on the outside but friendly and soft on the inside.

Kole

Youth Panel Alumni

I wanted to be a youth panellist to diversify my understanding of public and social policy in the context of children's rights in health and social care. Play to me means the opportunity to relax after a long busy day, and I believe in protecting the right to play as a tool to give young people a voice and help alleviate stress or trauma. If I was a biscuit, I would be a custard cream, a well-rounded classic!