EPF’s viewpoint is that needs and expectations of young patients do not necessarily match those of adult patients. Being a patient inevitably impacts on every aspect of one person’s life. For a chronically ill youngster this means that the condition and the way he/she relates him/herself with the condition have important repercussions on his/her growth process and hence on his/her life as a grown up. To be able to effectively address needs and expectations of young patients patient organisations need to be able to listen to them and provide them with appropriate tools and avenues through which such needs and expectations can be put forward.
Involving young patients in a meaningful way through empowerment was identified as a long term goal for EPF. EPF’s first youth initiative dates back to 2008 when the Young Patient Perspective Project was implemented. In an attempt to enable patient organisations’ recognition and representation of the needs of young patients we dedicated our 2010 Regional Advocacy Seminar to sharing good practice of young patients’ participation in patient groups. Following the outcomes of the 2010 Regional Advocacy Seminar an EPF Youth Strategy was developed (link to the doc) and adopted by our 2011 Annual General Meeting. On that occasion the EPF Youth Group was established and the first Youth Assembly was held in Brussels, on 19-21 August 2012.
The overall objective of EPF Youth Strategy is to enable EPF to recognise, understand, meet and effectively represent the needs and expectations of young patients through their meaningful involvement and empowerment. In order to achieve this objective, EPF has identified four main strategic goals which will guide the implementation of the Youth Strategy:GOAL 1: Strengthening the involvement and representation of young patients in patient organisationsGOAL 2: Promoting young patients’ rights and recognition of their needs and expectations within and beyond health policy areaGOAL 3: Promoting a better cooperation between young patient and adult patient advocatesGOAL 4: Strengthening young patient representatives’ skills and self-confidence
The EPF Youth Group is the backbone of the EPF Youth Strategy. The group is currently made up of 11 young patient representatives between 15 and 25 years of age with different chronic conditions who have been nominated by EPF member organisations. The Youth Group plays an important role in the implementation of the EPF Youth Strategy and was established to become the reference group though which needs and expectations of the young patient community are formulated and communicated to EPF and its members. Should you need further information regarding the EPF Youth Strategy and activities of the EPF Youth Group please contact Walter Atzori or Özgün Ünver.