Tackling Inequalities Award

Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Glasgow: Young Adult Service

As the first of its kind in Scotland, The Young Adult Service supports the wellbeing of young adults and their families living with life-limiting conditions as they move from child to adult services. The service includes a Transition Clinic and offers Short Break Stays, and recognises that it is not simple for these young adults to move from one provider to another as their needs are person specific. Such specific needs means that inequities and barriers exist in the support offered to them, resulting in a lack of appropriate and timely care and support and an overall detrimental effect on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Judges commented, “it is essential that we empower young adults, for them to feel valued and that their contribution really does matter. This is particularly important at times of great change, such as their transition from children’s services into adulthood. Young adults wish to focus on living and celebrate significant milestones. In order to improve quality of life there is a need for further attention to tackle inequalities and remove barriers. This project is an excellent example of a collaborative, person-centred approach to care, leading change and ensuring young adults are given the appropriate platform for their voices to be heard.”

No Barriers Here is a unique and innovative approach to advance care planning for people with learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities have been identified as a population that has been poorly served by palliative care and end of life care support. The collaboration between The Mary Stevens Hospice, Dudley Voices for Choice, and an Art Psychotherapist, is a great example of co-production in action, using an art therapy approach to open up conversations about death, dying and bereavement.

The panel was impressed by the collaboration with other partners, and the thought that had been given to the long term sustainability of the project - but it was the fact that the project was grounded in co-production with people with learning disabilities that made it stand out.