AHCC Young Trustee Application Pack

Young Trustee Application Pack 2026

Contents Welcome

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, we believe that children and young people have the power to shape the future. As a Young Trustee of Alder Hey Children’s Charity, we welcome you to bring fresh ideas, lived experience and your generation’s voice into our Board.

Join us and help build brighter futures for children, young people and families at Alder Hey.

Welcome from our

Chair of Trustees and CEO of Alder Hey Children’s Charity

We are so pleased that you’re interested in becoming a Young Trustee and joining the Alder Hey family.

Alder Hey is full of energy, creativity and hope, and our charity helps make it even more magical. From funding world-class equipment and creative programmes to supporting pioneering projects, everything we do helps children and young people live their healthiest, happiest lives.

As a Young Trustee, you’ll bring fresh ideas and help shape the future of Alder Hey. Thank you for wanting to make a difference. Together, we can create something truly special.

A Message from the Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Alder Hey is very special, a place like no other, where innovation, care and imagination come together every day.

We’re proud to work hand-in-hand with Alder Hey Children’s Charity to make incredible things happen, from our Community Mental Health Hub and the new Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, to the creative and digital innovations that are transforming children’s healthcare.

Alder Hey’s Vision 2030 is all about going even further for children and young people, giving them the best start in life and the best possible future. That’s why your voice matters.

Thank you for wanting to be part of our story. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.

Who We Are

Since opening our doors in 1914, Alder Hey has led the way in children’s healthcare, from being the first hospital to test penicillin on a child to opening the world’s very first neonatal unit in 1953.

Today, we’re one of Europe’s largest specialist children’s hospitals and proudly ranked among the top 20 children’s hospitals in the world, caring for more than 450,000 children and young people every year.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises vital funds to make our hospital truly world-class and child-friendly, funding life-changing equipment, innovative research and the special “magic touches” that make a hospital stay brighter.

Together

with Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, we’re working towards a

healthier, happier and fairer future for

every child.

Contents What We Do

Alder Hey Children’s Charity exists to make Alder Hey the very best it can be, a place where innovation, imagination and care come together to change children’s lives.

Every penny we raise helps us go above and beyond NHS funding, creating world-class facilities, supporting brilliant minds, and creating the magic that makes Alder Hey so special.

Our work focuses on five key areas:

Equipment

We fund cutting-edge technology and equipment that help Alder Hey deliver the best possible care for children and young people, like our intraoperative MRI scanner, which allows surgeons to perform scans in the middle of brain surgery, improving precision and outcomes for young patients.

Research & Innovation

We support pioneering research and innovation that shapes the future of children’s health - helping discover new treatments, technologies and ways of caring. At Alder Hey Innovation, researchers, doctors and industry partners work side-by-side to turn breakthrough ideas into real improvements for children everywhere.

Impact in Numbers

Campus & Community

We help fund the creation of brilliant spaces, from hospital buildings to community hubs, all designed around the needs of children, young people and their families. This can be seen in the new Surgical Neonatal Unit which will ensure that families and newborns can stay together during the most difficult moments.

Alder Hey Magic

We bring the extra touches that turn hospital stays into something brighter, from play specialists and arts projects to an in-house cinema that sparks smiles and happiness. Through Arts for Health, we fill Alder Hey with colour, music and creativity, helping children express themselves and find moments of joy when they need them most.

1,000

Over 1,000 children and young people participated in Arts for Health projects and programmes last year.

22

Advocacy

We stand up for children and young people, ensuring their voices help shape healthcare, policy and the future of the NHS. From youth panels to creative endeavours, our Put Children First campaign champions young voices and makes sure their experiences drive lasting change.

18

The new Surgical Neonatal Unit will have 22 neonatal cots, and 18 family rooms designed to keep families together during those precious first days and weeks.

200

This year, patients and families have enjoyed over 200 screenings in our MediCinema, giving children and young people the magic of the movies from the comfort and safety of our hospital.

Many of our colourful spaces are co-designed with young patients, so every space tells a story.

Being a Young Trustee

Our Board of Trustees provides leadership, strategy and good governance for the charity. It supports and challenges the senior team, sets the charity’s direction and ensures our work reflects our purpose and values.

As a Young Trustee you will:

Bring your perspective, ideas and voice to Board decisions. Help shape how we engage young people, families and supporters. Champion inclusion, innovation and young-people’s insight. Learn about charity governance and leadership alongside experienced Trustees.

Time commitment: 6 volunteer days per year including four Board meetings, an annual Board development day and key charity-wide events such as our Values Day. You might also join a committee (extra ~ 4 volunteer days) depending on your interest areas.

What We’re Looking For What You’ll Gain

We’re not looking for an expert, we’re looking for someone who is passionate and ready to learn.

You should:

Believe in our mission and values which are Courage, Together, Passion, Magic.

Be open-minded, curious and creative.

Be ready to share your views, listen to others and contribute to decisions.

Want to help us reach and engage children and young people.

Be prepared to volunteer enough time to attend meetings and events (in person or online)

You might be a student, young professional or someone involved in community, arts, tech or fundraising. What matters is your enthusiasm, integrity and commitment.

Be part of something truly magical

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity we believe in the courage to be bold, the passion to make a difference and the magic that happens when we work together.

If you’re ready to step up, share your voice and help create something extraordinarywe’d love you to come on the journey with us.

By joining us you will:

Develop leadership, governance and communication skills.

Be mentored by experienced Trustees and work in a high-impact environment.

Build networks, gain confidence and open doors into charitable, health or civic sectors.

Know your contribution is helping make a real-life impact on children and young people.

Plus you’ll be part of a friendly, creative and ambitious team who believe in doing things differently and making magic happen.

Ready to join us?

Tell us why you’d like to be a Young Trustee and what you’ll bring to the Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE:

Drop us an email entitled Young Trustee info@alderheycharity.org. Or, if you prefer, send a short video telling us why you would love to be a young trustee.