Public Health Agency launches Key Stage 3 and 4 education resources

The resources have been designed by teachers, for teachers through a PHA-chaired working group, also in association with NHS Blood and Transplant. The content provides an introduction to organ donation and transplantation, how donation works, discussion activities, and information on the recent change in law to an opt-out system.  This is provided in an age-appropriate manner and is supported by a range personal stories to highlight the various perspectives, from a donor family, a living transplant recipient, and from someone awaiting a transplant. 

Designed with flexibility and ease-of-use in mind, the resources require minimal teacher planning.  They consist of an Assembly and Classroom Activities, and can be used at any time across the school year.

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency, welcomed the launch of the resources saying:

"The Public Health Agency’s role is to raise awareness and understanding of the organ donation and transplantation widely across our society, and we work very closely with a wide range of partners to do so. Of course, young people are a vital audience within this.

The resources will provide young people with the information they need, in an age-appropriate way, to find out more about organ donation and to consider their decision around it.  We want to empower young people to make informed choices and feel confident talking about organ donation with their family and peers.”  

Speaking at the launch at Fort Hill Integrated College in Lisburn, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt commended the project and the resulting education resources:

“Organ donation can save and transform lives and we must do all that we can to increase the number of organs available for those in need of a life-saving transplant.

People of any age can register to be an organ donor and it therefore stands to reason that children and young people should be provided with appropriate information in school.

I want to thank all those that contributed to the development of the resources and would encourage those in education to make use of them where they can.”

The Department of Education, CCEA and the Education Authority have supported the resources, including their promotion and roll-out to schools.  Education Minister, Paul Givan also speaking at the launch praised the initiative saying: 

“The resources that have been developed will enable teachers and students to engage meaningfully with the topic of organ donation. I am grateful for the work that has been done to drive this important initiative forward, not least to those who have used their own experiences in such a positive way. 

I am committed to supporting initiatives that bridge education and health, empowering young people with age-appropriate information and helping them to thrive in the classroom and beyond into their communities. 

I would encourage all teachers in Key Stage 3 and 4 to engage with the resources and deliver the lessons during Organ Donation Week.” 

Ciara Hunter is a teacher at Fort Hill Integrated College, and is also a member of the PHA working group.  The school has been very supportive of Ciara’s work and the wider development of organ donation education.  Ciara’s sister Clare was an organ donor in 2020 and was able to save lives which inspired her to get involved in the resource development.  Ciara explained: 

“Empowering students to make informed decisions and have that discussion with their family members is of the utmost importance and the key reason these resources were created. They have been designed to be flexible and easy to use, so that schools can teach about organ donation in a sensitive and approachable manner, that never persuades but always informs.”

Organ donation in Northern Ireland changed to an ‘opt-out’ system in June 2023, so the resources also help to educate young people on their choices in relation to organ donation.

With more people than ever waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the UK as demand continues to exceed the number of donated organs available, education resources such as these are crucial in helping to raise awareness of the importance of making your organ donation decision as well as giving hope to those awaiting a transplant. 

The resources are available now on the CCEA website and online at www.organdonationni.info/schools/key-stage-3-4.