Welcome to LTHT youth service
We’re here to empower and support young people aged 13 to 25 through compassionate, age-appropriate care. Whether in hospital or out in the community, our dedicated team of Youth Workers offer emotional, psychosocial and practical support to help young people thrive.
What we do
The Youth Service works closely with teams across Leeds Children’s Hospital to support young people aged 13 to 25 as they move from paediatric to adult care.
Our team offers consistent, tailored support throughout the young person’s journey — from their first contact with our service to a smooth, confident transition into adult services.
We are proud to be the largest hospital-based Youth Service in the country, with dedicated Youth Workers embedded in several specialist clinical teams across the Trust.
Our Youth Service Team
Leeds Children’s Hospital is proud to have the largest hospital-based Youth Service in the country. Our Youth Workers provide holistic, age-appropriate support to young people aged 13 to 25. They work alongside clinical teams to support each young person’s medical, personal, social, and educational development — helping them to build confidence, stay engaged in their care, and make informed choices.
We are passionate about ensuring that young people have a voice within the Trust. Our team acts as advocates, empowering young people to influence decisions about their care and the services that support them.
Our experienced Youth Workers are embedded within a wide range of specialist teams, including:
- Liver
- Diabetes
- Rheumatology
- Oncology
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Gender Identity and Endocrine
- Weight Management
- A&E Navigator Service
The Navigator Service
The LTHT Navigator Service is a hospital-based youth work programme that supports young people aged 11 to 25 who have been affected by violence, exploitation, or other serious risks. Based in Leeds Teaching Hospitals’ Emergency Departments, our trained youth workers offer trauma-informed support at critical moments – often after a young person has been injured or caught up in violence. Navigators provide emotional support, safety planning, and help connect young people to the right services in the community. We work closely with healthcare staff, safeguarding teams, and local partners to help young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to make positive choices.
Youth Worker-led services
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
We are proud to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to empower young people aged 14-25, under hospital care, to develop essential life skills, build confidence and discover their potential. Through a blend of volunteering, physical activity, skill-building and outdoor expeditions, young people take on meaningful challenges that help them grow in resilience, leadership, teamwork and personal responsibility. Whether working towards Bronze, Silver or Gold, young people gain valuable experiences that stand out to colleges, universities and employers; all whilst making a real impact in their communities and having fun along the way. LTHT is the only hospital Youth Service in the country to offer a Duke of Edinburgh programme that’s led by Youth Workers.
For more information email: [email protected]
Sessions are held in the hospital every Tuesday, 6-7pm.
Weekly Youth Club (Online)
Our online youth club provides a safe, supportive virtual space where our young people can connect, learn, and have fun from the comfort of their homes or hospital beds. Every Wednesday at 5.30pm this club offers social interactions, creative activities, peer support and developmentally themed conversations, aimed at developing life skills, encouraging their participation and voice whilst ensuring safety and safeguarding.
To join please speak to the team on: 0113 392 5964/07765679828 or email: [email protected]
Weekly Youth Club (in person)
Our weekly in-person youth clubs offer our in-patients and out-patients a place to relax, be themselves and feel listened to. The club offers social and recreational activities such as board games, pool, movie evenings, electronic games, and informal hangouts to chat, listen to music and share snacks. This is a young-person-led safe space where we discuss topics like healthy eating, stress, anxiety, sexual health, and personal hygiene.
Youth club takes place in The Place 2 Be, A-floor, Clarendon Wing, every Thursday 5.30-7pm.
To join please speak to the team on: 0113 392 5964/07765679828 or email: [email protected]
Youth Forum
Our Youth Forum is composed of young people who are or have been patients at Leeds Children’s Hospital. It serves as a platform to share views and ideas on how to improve services, environments and experiences for children and young patients. Forum members co-design and influence hospital services, while providing insight into how young patients view hospital services.
If you would like to join, please ask your youth worker, clinical team or contact:
If you’re interested in joining the Youth Forum please speak to the team on: 0113 392 5964/07765679828 or email: [email protected]
Face to face drop-in sessions at the Place 2 Be (by referral/appointment)
These sessions offer targeted support and one to one support from Youth Workers to support mental health and emotional wellbeing. These are safe spaces to talk about issues which are of concern to the young person.
To book a session please speak to the team on: 0113 392 5964/07765679828 or email: [email protected]
Our Approach
We are committed to ensuring that young people have a voice in their care. Youth Workers advocate on their behalf across the Trust, promoting youth participation, building confidence, and empowering them to influence the services that support them.
The Youth Service takes a holistic approach to supporting young people, addressing not only their medical needs but also their personal, social, and educational development.
Youth Workers play a key role in helping young people navigate their healthcare journey, offering consistent support from initial engagement through to transition into adult services.
Why Are Youth Workers in Hospital?
Youth Workers serve as a positive link between home, hospital, and the wider community. We focus on the wider needs of young people which includes their education, wellbeing, independence, and personal development.
Key aspects of Youth Work also include:
- Supporting young people and families to develop independent healthcare management skills
- Promoting emotional wellbeing and confidence-building
- Providing one-to-one support and acting as a consistent keyworker through transition to adult services
- Offering opportunities for peer support and social connection
- Signposting and referring to external services where appropriate
- Acting as advocates for young people, ensuring their voices are heard in decisions affecting their care
Youth Workers are a consistent source of encouragement, guidance, and support – helping our young people to navigate the challenges of growing up with a health condition.
Meet the team
Matthew Guest – LTHT A and E Navigator Team Leader
07584333923
[email protected]
Faith Ochelle – Youth Work Manager
07765679828
[email protected]
Mwesigwa Magumba – Liver Team Youth Worker
07385408013
[email protected]
Darren Meade – Young Adult Diabetes Youth Worker
07770430929
[email protected]
Faye Bishop – Paediatric Diabetes Youth Worker
07557076800
[email protected]
Stacey Robertson – Rheumatology Youth Worker
07385413433
[email protected]
Lou Hardy – Gender Identity and Endocrine Youth Worker
07702320788
[email protected]
Sabrina Said – Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) Youth Worker
07867160079
Rowan Jameson-Mcauley – A+E Navigator Manager
07955276554
[email protected]
Alice Jackson – A+E Navigator Youth Worker
07823519312
[email protected]
Mahine Malik Abdul – A+E Navigator Youth Worker
[email protected]