A creative communications initiative that sees schoolchildren review healthcare services at Walsall Manor Hospital – giving their feedback and ideas to senior leaders – has been shortlisted for a national award, it was announced today (Monday 10 August)

The Little Voices approach has been shortlisted for the 2026 HSJ NHS Communications Initiative of the Year Award and is among more than 230 projects and individuals making it this far in the annual celebration that recognises best practice, those who improve patient outcomes and innovating drivers of better service.

Developed by the Patient Experience Team, Little Voices is an engagement and involvement programme where Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has partnered with pupils from Pelsall Village School. The pupils have “inspected” paediatric services as well as worked on specific projects such as menu tasting and, most recently, played a key role in recruiting a new Children’s Ward Matron.

Pupils have also become Little Voices at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which works in partnership with Walsall Healthcare.

Garry Perry, Associate Director Patient Voice at the Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Little Voices has made it on to the 2026 HSJ Awards shortlist because it has proved to be an invaluable way to truly involve children in shaping healthcare services here in Walsall.

“They are active contributors to so many aspects of our work – whether that be shaping environments, helping us to improve care, or holding us to account when they believe things need to improve. They are committed to working with us to make a difference and their own skills and confidence have also grown as a result of the work they do with us.

“We’re looking forward to highlighting this initiative on the national stage and showing our colleagues how successful its has been, and continues to be, in ensuring we really listen to the patient voice.”

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan, added:  “We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector.”

The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 19 November 2026. The event also serves as a timely and well-deserved thank you to the sector.

The awards’ judging panel was once again made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, as well as a range of esteemed Board level Executives from NHS Trusts across the UK.