News

Earlier this year colleagues on Skylark (children's) ward arranged and held a poster competition to highlight the dangers vaping poses to young people.

They received dozens of submissions, making it a tough decision to decide on the final shortlist of three entries and the overall winner.

The selection has been made and the winners announced. Jada won the first prize of a £50 voucher and a hamper. Coming in second was Tyannie winning a £30 voucher and the third runner up receiving a £20 voucher was Oliwia. Thank you to ASDA Corby and The Raising Sun for sponsoring the prizes.

The team celebrated with a special presentation in our atrium area. The winners and their families were invited along to the event, where they were joined by Zoe Church-Wood from Ngage with Aquarius and Rebekah Hammersley from Hope UK. Both organisations had supported the competition by donating prizes.

The winners and those shortlisted were given their prizes by the Mayor of Kettering, Cllr Ben Jamieson.

Louise (Play Specialist) and Jodie (Deputy Sister) on Skylark ward. Jodie said:

“The collaboration between our hospital, community partners, and support organisations created a strong network around the young people. Overall, the competition demonstrated how creative engagement and partnership working can spark important conversations and empower young people to share their voices”

Louise added “Having our patients involved with this provides not only a good distraction activity while on the ward, but it also gives them a way of putting their personal feelings down on paper. Some even spoke to their parents about the dangers of vaping.”

The project team worked with local organisations Ngage with Aquarius, Hope UK and Public Health England. Zoe Church-Wood, Service Manager, Ngage with Aquarius explained why Aquarius was involved with this project:

“We've been working to raise awareness of the dangers of nicotine addiction and the health consequences to children and young people. We have found that the best way to get the message over is to have a young people talk to each other. This is more meaningful as it comes from one of their peers, instead of an adult.”

Both Ngage with Aquarius and Hope UK had supported the team with prizes, advice on vaping and judging the competition. Rebekah Hammersley, Volunteer coordinator at Hope UK.

“We are a preventative charity, and we work a lot in the community, including going into local schools. This poster competition really supports our work giving young people information on this topic, so they can make an educated choice.”

The winning poster has been turned into a printed poster and digital image; both will be displayed on Skylark ward.

The competition was arranged by the Skylark Shared Decision-Making Council (SDMC). The SDMC is made up of colleagues from different levels within the ward, who work together to improve work environments, policies, or care quality.

Everyone involved would like to thank all of those who entered the competition for their hard work and creativity.