You're Welcome

Our policy update events for 2009-2010 were on the Department of Health You're Welcome initiative. These events have been put on hold until further notice in line with new government priorites.

This year we will be running consultation events on the Big Society. These events are currently in the planning stages. For updates about these events please sign up to our e-bulletin.

What is You're Welcome?

Aim

To ensure that all health services in the community and in hospitals are young people friendly.

The criteria set out principles that will help organisations improve their services and make them more appropriate for young users. They are based on examples of effective local practice working with young people under 20 and cover ten topic areas.

Process

Organisations can use the You're Welcome toolkit to self-assess how friendly their services are and then rate levels of achievement. The toolkit has space for recording evidence and an action plan for reviewing, maintaining or improving the level of service.

Why should my organisation take the assessment?

Apart from the benefits to improving your organisation's services for young people, the You're Welcome quality criteria are a useful tool for commissioners to prove that services are meeting young people's needs.

Although the criteria are not currently mandatory it is likely that commissioners  will increasingly expect organisations to carry the You're Welcome accreditation if they provide services for young people.

You're Welcome materials

YW Regional Leads

For further information about You're Welcome in your region, please contact your regional lead.

East - Lynda Niles
E:  Lynda.Niles@goeast.gsi.gov.uk
T:  01223 372771
M:  07827 257132

East Midlands - Iain Whittle
E:  Iain.Whittle@goem.gsi.gov.uk
T:  01223 372771
M:  07827 257132

West Midlands - Bruce Kirk
E:  Bruce.Kirk@gowm.gsi.gov.uk
T:  01213 525002
M:  07986090848

London - Sharon Dodd
E:  Sharon.Dodd@gol.gsi.gov.uk
T:  020 7217 3076
M:  07999 870591

North East - Mandy Cheetham
E:  Mandy.Cheetham@gone.gsi.gov.uk
T:  01912 023918
M:  07812 843862

North West - Catherine Alexander
E:  Catherine.Alexander@dh.gsi.gov.uk
M:  07786 125301

South East - Emma Popham
E:  Emma.Popham@gose.gsi.gov.uk
M:  07786 668824

South West - Zoe Clifford
E:  Zoe.Clifford@gosw.gsi.gov.uk
T:  01179 001793
M:  07887 746585