Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has called for 70 NHS Trusts to sign up to plans to encourage more young people to volunteer in their local NHS as part of its 70^th birthday year.

This comes after Sir Bruce made a personal pledge to HRH, The Prince of Wales to support the Step Up To Serve #iwill initiative.

Step Up To Serve of which The Prince of Wales is Patron, seeks to increase the number of 10 to 20 year olds participating in social action, to recognize the contribution young people make to their local communities.

As the NHS approaches its 70th birthday in July 2018, NHS England’s National Medical Director urged health and care organisations to promote youth volunteering.

Speaking in Manchester at the NHS Health and Care Innovation Expo, Sir Bruce and Ruth May, Executive Director of Nursing NHS Improvement, called on the NHS to commit to the #iwill pledge to help young people act as health champions, supporting their peers and communities to live healthier lifestyles in health and care settings, or their wider communities.

Sir Bruce Keogh said: “As we approach the NHS’ 70th year it is more critical than ever that we engage young people in all we do. We want to tap into the huge talent pool of young people and I have made a personal commitment to support Step Up To Serve and encourage 70 young volunteers at 70 trusts in 2018.

“When young people volunteer they bring something special to patients and services as well as developing their own skills, confidence, wellbeing and career opportunities and I urge organisations to get involved with this excellent initiative.”

NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched the 70/70 campaign focused on supporting up to 70 health and care organisations to further develop youth volunteering programmes. This includes offers of practical support from partners such as Step Up To Serve, The Pears Foundation and The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO).

For more information please contact england.nhs.participation@nhs.net or phone 0113 825 0861.