- The new film showcases the inspiring journeys of three young people treated at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
- The film has been produced in response to new data which reveals that only 12% of Britons believe children have the right opportunities to reach their full potential, citing inequality, education, and access to healthcare as the biggest barriers.
- To help more children and young people thrive, the Charity is urging the Government to make them a national priority as it develops its Child Poverty Strategy.
- The Charity is calling for greater investment in prevention, improved community care models, and data-driven, technological solutions.
Thursday 27th February 2025: As part of Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s campaign Put Children First, a new short film is aiming to inspire politicians to help children and young people fulfil their potential.
The risk to children and young people is very real, as new polling of 2,000 adults revealed that only 12%* of adults in Britain think children in the UK have the right opportunities to reach their full potential, and less than half (37%) say that children more often do.
Inequality (15%), quality of education (53%) and access to health and mental healthcare (19%) were listed as having the most impact on children and young people’s life chances, after parental influence (70%).
When asked how much difference specific policies would make to children’s lives in the UK, the poll suggests a focus on additional financial support for families struggling. Policies such as offering universal free school meals (74%) and increasing funding for breakfast clubs (67%) were also cited as making a difference.
The Ignite the Sparks film features the stories of three inspirational young people who have overcome adversity and are doing amazing things – from working as a youth leader to ballroom dancing.
The film shows what could be lost if the Government doesn’t make children and young people a priority and is launched specifically ahead of the Government’s strategy to end child poverty, which is expected to be published in the spring.
The Government’s own figures state that a record 5.2 million children live in poverty – and since Labour took office in July, at least 25,000 more children have fallen into poverty.
“Our entire reason for existence is to give children the best possible start in life and ensure they continue to thrive. We can treat the health conditions, but there are families who can’t afford the bus travel to their appointments or are too scared to switch the heating on during the winter. All of these things can have a detrimental effect on their healthcare and recovery.”
Dr Ian Sinha, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Today, Alder Hey patients, local children and young people, doctors and politicians will attend a special screening of the new short film Ignite the Sparks. Jai, Sophia, and Havin are all local young people with talent and potential, brought together to demonstrate what could be lost if the Government doesn’t put children first. They represent every child who should have unlimited possibilities, but may be at risk due to unfairness, poverty and inequality.
Jai’s mum, Jodie Radcliffe said: “As a mum, of course I want to give my kids the best possible chance to fulfil their potential, but some things are out of my control. Jai has autism and struggled in mainstream education – only now he is out of that situation is he thriving. That may not be possible for every child, who all have different needs and challenges. We need to make sure that children and young people are the priority now and in the future.”
Put Children First, founded and led by Alder Hey Children’s Charity with a coalition of partners is calling on Government to redesign the NHS for children and with children to end child health inequality. The Put Children First campaign is making five key recommendations specifically to the Child Poverty Taskforce:
- Make children and young people a national priority
- Invest in prevention to mitigate health inequalities
- Strengthen community care models
- Invest in data-driven, technological solutions
Fiona Ashcroft, CEO of Alder Hey Children’s Charity said: “It is rare for charities linked to NHS trusts to come out and stand for a cause, but this year we simply had to act. Poverty and inequality is at the root of a rising number of health needs in our communities, and we need urgent action from political leaders to fix the crisis. We hope that our campaign and first short film ‘Ignite the Sparks’ inspire decision makers to make children a political priority, by bringing to life the unique talents and potential of three bright ‘Sparks’ and asking those in charge not to waste their potential.”
Get involved
Join the coalition: www.putchildrenfirst.info/joinusjoinin
Support Ignite the Sparks: www.putchildrenfirst.info
Find out more: steve.leonard@alderhey.nhs.uk