If you are an artistic individual aged 5 – 24, or a youth worker with a group of children and young people who’d love to contribute a piece of your art to the RCPCH building, get in touch!

We agree with the saying that “a picture tells a thousand words”. Overseen and curated by The Youth Narrative, our youth communications project, we’re using visual arts to educate paediatricians and other visitors to the RCPCH Head Office building about what keeps children and young people healthy, happy and well.

Here are some of our current exhibitions…

My wish for child health: patchwork quilt

“As part of the RCPCH &Us 10^th birthday celebrations, we designed our stand at the Glasgow RCPCH Conference to look back on the past decade, and look ahead to the future. We wanted to create a happy, party atmosphere, and we felt that it isn’t really a party without bunting! But we wanted this to be interactive, rather than just decoration, and to convey a serious point – what paediatricians want for the future of child health.

Having been involved in the RCPCH &Us Building Artworks project since its start in 2024, I have seen how art can be an effective way to get your message across and spark conversation. Using this knowledge, we invited doctors and allied health professionals visiting the exhibition stand to create their own piece of bunting illustrating their wishes for the next ten years in children’s health.

The response was inspiring. Many stayed for twenty minutes or more, taking time away from the busyness of conference to join us in arts and crafts, while talking with young people and parent carers from RCPCH &Us. These conversations were as valuable as the messages on the bunting itself. We heard about doctors who carry small teddies with them to reassure small children, and others who keep up with the latest tv shows in order to connect with teenagers.

While thinking about the future, doctors told us some of the creative ways they already bring empathy, listening and enjoyment into their work. Some key themes came up during the discussions and made their way onto the bunting: safety, equality, and above all – listening and including the child or young person. While huge strides have been made in all these themes, the bunting activity reminded us and the doctors that there is always more to do, with the future offering opportunities for more progress.

Following conference all the individual pieces of bunting were carefully stitched together into a patchwork quilt, now hung in the College building. I first saw the completed piece during a special visit of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who visited in July to help us celebrate our 10^th birthday. Being able to show her the finished quilt, which helped to bring to life the work we and all the brilliant paediatricians do, was a very special feeling. Having the quilt in the College will help visiting healthcare professionals remember the people at the heart of all the important work they do – the children – as well as what they are doing well, and how we can improve in the future.”

By Tatiana, aged 22

The quilt can be found on the third floor of RCPCH, outside the President’s Office.

RCPCH &Us projects: mixed medium

In the Council Chamber (6th floor) there is a changing exhibition featuring of some of the work completed by children and young people attending our projects during the year.

Marble art

Using marble art techniques combined with black cut out stenciling, a group of young people and a parent individually answered the question ‘What would you like paediatricians to know?’

NPDA Youth Communications Project

The National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) Youth Communications Project involved almost fifty children and young people plus ten parents/carers who took part in design workshops online and in person across England and Wales.

They looked at what the NPDA does and thought about how to share this information with other children, young people and families. They created an image bank, top tips on communicating audit information, and recorded the views and wishes on diabetes care from children and young people.

Thank you NHS

‘Thank You NHS’ features some of the pictures drawn by children and young people around the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.

My wish for child health: fingerprint inks

We’ve toured the UK talking to children and young people about what they’d like to see change in terms of child health. Using ink finger paints they created group pictures and individually shared their thoughts and ideas for improving child health.  These pictures will be located in the central stairwell of RCPCH.

This fingerprint picture was created by children & young people attending a Health Influence and Innovation Lab in Cardiff. Young people from around Wales were invited to share their priorities for children & young people’s health to feed into RCPCH policy briefings for the Senedd ahead of the election.

This is what they had to say:

“My wish for child is…

…basic: I would like public facilities that are safe and accessible – with grab rails, sound sensitivity considered, and not be expected to share disabled toilets with males!”  Ella, aged 11

…to be listened to and have my opinion respected. Also to have my mental health taken into account. Just because I look happy doesn’t mean I always feel that way.” Imogen, aged 12

…equality for all regardless of age, sex, gender, ability, sexuality or skin colour. “ Jessica, aged 13

…for young people to feel heard around their physical and mental health concerns, and to them taken seriously.”  Rebecca, aged 23

…for children to be heard and understood.” Courtney, aged 17

…just to be listened to.” Osian, aged 13

…improved services that understand and see me as a person rather than as just my disability.” Charlotte, aged 18

…for the improvement of mental health services and communication in health gender dysphoria care.”  Hope, aged 16

This fingerprint picture was created by children & young people attending our Health Influence and Innovation Lab in Glasgow. Young people from around Scotland were invited to share their priorities for children & young people’s health to feed into RCPCH policy briefings ahead of the next election.

This is what they had to say:

“My wish for child health is…

…for mental health services to be increased in areas that are rural, and for breakfast clubs to be in every school for children who need them.”  Evelyn, aged 15

…for young people to receive better education on the dangers of substance misuse and self harm.”   Ruby, aged 14

…for free gym memberships for children and young people up to the age of 16, so that they can more easily stay fit and healthy.” Sarah, aged 15

…for all young people to be able to access the gender affirming care they need.” Skye, aged 17

…that every young person can access comprehensive and tailored health support when they need it and without having to fight to have their problems taken seriously, or sit on lengthy waiting lists.” Gemma, aged 17

…for more families to engage in their children’s well-being and bringing positivity and happiness to their communities.” Carolina, aged 15

…for increased access to facilities such as sport, music and art to help prevent mental health issues from developing in children and young people.”  Declan, aged 15

…for every child to be able to get the support they need – no matter their circumstances.”  Alexander, aged 16

…for better education on the negatives of smoking, especially vaping, to be taught much earlier and in more detail at school.”  Daniel, aged 15

…for there to be more access to sport and leisure activities outside of school hours.”  Molly, aged 15

…for all children to have access to mental health support when they need it.”  Leigh, aged 15 

Northern Ireland (coming soon)

England (coming soon)