Co-opted Youth Forum Non-Officer member of Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board:

Finalist: Young Leader.

Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board works with partner organisations and local people with the overarching aim of improving the health and well-being of the population of Blaenau Gwent

Adelle is a leading member of Blaenau Gwent Youth Forum and the first co-opted youth member of the Local Heath Board (LHB). Her interest and enthusiasm in the health service is driven by her ambition to become a doctor.

Her contribution in representing the views of young people and her commitment to the role has been instrumental in the success of engaging young people on issues of healthcare in Blaenau Gwent. She has helped to set up a working group to develop a young peoples magazine, Health Warning, a health related publication produced by young people for young people in Blaenau Gwent. The magazine was recently launched at the inauguration of the Youth Mayor Participation and on the BBC Wales programme, ‘Me and my health’.

Adelle has given invaluable advice to LHB staff, for instance ensuring that research tools such as questionnaires and leaflets are worded in a language that is appropriate for young people. She has also helped set up an interactive voting session for a local Youth Work week and has participated in a number of conferences and workshops, taking a lead role in facilitating discussions aimed at discovering views and ideas around how future facilities should be provided in the County Borough.

She has also met with the First Minister Rhodri Morgan at the Healthy Children and Young People exhibition to discuss young people and healthcare. Adelle has raised the awareness and importance of how young people are being engaged in the decision-making and consultation process in Blaenau Gwent.