In this past year, 180 patients and families volunteered over 2500 hours to use their lived experience to provide input and feedback and to mentor other families. These individuals serve on advisory councils, sit on committees and working groups, attend workshops and focus groups, provide their perspective for family documents, complete surveys, mentor other families one to one or in group settings, and much more.

We are grateful for each and every one of you - your voice is helping to improve the patient and family experience with healthcare.

I've been a Parent Mentor at the Alberta Children’s Hospital with the Family to Family Connections program for about 10 years. I enjoy using my lived experience as a parent of a child on the spectrum, to help and do what I can to help other parents. My goal is to give them a little bit of hope and support and lend a listening ear when they are feeling lost, frustrated or worried, so they can stand a bit more confident as they continue on the journey they are on.

It means so much when a parent says to me " I don't feel so alone anymore"...and that is why I volunteer!

Carolyn - Family to Family Connections Peer Mentor

I joined the ACH Family Advisory Council in 2023. I am a parent and caregiver who has had services from almost every clinic and department at the Alberta Children’s Hospital over the past 13 years. I am honored and humbled to be able to share my family’s personal experiences, in an effort for understanding on how to provide optimal care through discussion of what is working well, and where some changes may need to happen.

I cannot pinpoint one specific moment, rather every session has been meaningful. It’s a place where everyone’s voice is heard. There are vastly different experiences which are all listened to in a respectful manner, and with empathy. This is a place where we can speak freely, and we feel seen. I feel like my experiences, along with those of my fellow advisors, can be used to shape the future of healthcare delivery in the very best way possible. 

Lily - ACH Family Advisory Council

One of the most thoughtful moments during my time as a volunteer occurred during a feedback session for a mental health app for youths and teens.

During our discussion, it sparked to me that, this app is like a lighthouse, during the darkest times. It reinforced the significance of our work in creating a space where empathy and support could flourish, exceeding the boundaries of technology. This moment was a powerful reminder of the impact that we can make during their most vulnerable times. It affirmed my belief in the importance of our roles as Patient and Family Advisors and the positive change we can make in everyone's lives. 

Joel - CAYAC (Children and Youth Advisory Council)

On March 12, the CHAPS Family Advisory Council was launched. The Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Services (CHAPS) at the Alberta Children's Hospital provides children with complex and life-limiting medical conditions and their families with respite care, therapeutic programming, symptom management, as well as compassionate end of life care and grief support. 

The members of the new advisory council all have experience using CHAPS programs and services. They will meet bi-monthly to consult with CHAPS and provide their input and feedback based on their lived experience. Their voices will be key in the ongoing quality improvement of this service. We are grateful for the volunteers who have stepped up to be a part of this new council!

April 24, 9am MT Acute Health Care Use and Access among Canadian Children During the Pandemic: Lessons Learned. Register here.

May 1, 9am MT Enabling active play for children with medical conditions or disabillties. Register here.

Children's Healthcare Canada upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars, can be found here.