In conversation with Callum Tempest, the very first AAT Youth Board Chair

The Youth Board has been running for a few years now and we are working in collaboration with our voluntary board members to grow the youth board into an influential voice for people affected by AA.

Members have input into the AAT’s priorities and strategic decisions, and work with us to make the world a brighter place for all young people facing an aplastic anaemia diagnosis.

The Youth Board currently meets once a quarter, so we caught up with Callum, the AAT Youth Board Chair, to find out how they’re getting on.

What are the aims of the group?

The reason the board was piloted was to provide a youth voice into activities and decisions of the AAT. It was important to the charity to have young people’s voices around the table when they were making decisions that affected the sort of support offered.

We had our first 6 months of monthly meetings and now we meet every three months. We want to help provide feedback and support for their current projects whilst also suggesting possible new avenues to discuss and explore.

These meetings also provide us with an opportunity to ask questions or highlight to staff at the AAT areas where support could be offered for young people.

What’s your favourite thing about being on the AAT Youth Board?

The nice thing about running the board is that it’s a great way to meet other young people who either have, or have had, aplastic anaemia. It also became a social and support group which was a lovely outcome! We shared stories and experiences which gave us a
sense of community and a bit of solidarity.

“It’s really nice to feel listened to and see visible change being made on the back of your recommendations”

Naturally out of those discussions on things we had personally found tough, came ideas to explore for those working to design support programs. If 20 people say ‘we all struggled with this’, it makes a really strong case.

What impact has the board had so far?

We’ve been looking at support in hospitals in Windsor and discussing how hard being in hospital on your own can, especially at Christmas. On the back of those discussions, they organised telephone pen pals.

We’ve also been brainstorming ideas for ways in which we can support children and young people in hospital. We’ve even worked with the Support & Outreach team at the AAT to put together some goody bags with comforting items to bring some comfort and joy to children undergoing treatment.

Why should you join the Youth Board?

It’s so important that young people’s voices are part of these conversations, especially if it’s a condition that affects them. They shouldn’t be afraid to say what they need, or what would’ve been helpful in the past. The Youth Board is such a friendly and supportive space to speak and share, but it also has the power to affect great change.

Join the Youth Board