Author | Lightnews

I Am Charlene

@iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social

220 followers 140 following 100 posts

💎Inspirational Mother of the Year Award Winner 2023 💎Nominated Patient Advocate 2021 💎Advisory Board Member 💎Workshop Facilitator Interests: #PublicInvolvement #PPI #PPIContributors #HealthResearch #ClinicalTrials #Patients #Engagement #EDI #Diversity

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I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jan 13

Hey BlueSkyers!

Happy New Year...🥳🎉2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣

Here is my Life of a Rare Gem 💎 'End of Year Highlights' 2024 Winter Newsletter❄️📧😇🤎🙏🏾⭐️💃🏾

🔗 mailchi.mp/7b61f842530d...

Sending Love + Gratitude Always,

Charlene xxx

🤎

Life of a Rare Gem💎2024 Winter Newsletter❄️📧

mailchi.mp

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I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Sep 23

🗣 Join me on Thursday at YOU GOT THIS!—an intimate gathering for women creating success on our own terms.

Come and connect, recharge & be celebrated!🥳

📅 Date: Thur 25th Sept 2025
⏰️ Time: 10am - 3pm
📍Location: 65-69 East Road, London, N1 6AH

🔗 tinyurl.com/3n28j9p2

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Aug 26

📅 Tuesday 2nd September 2025
📍 London SE1
⏰ 12pm - 5pm
📩 DM to express your interest

#EDI #PatientInvolvement #HealthResearch #PatientAdvocate #IAmCharlene

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Aug 26

🗣️ Join me as I'm hosting an EDI Table Talk at the South East London Cancer Research Panel (SELCRP) Patient Involvement Event!

A space for open, honest conversations about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in healthcare and research.

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jul 31

#SarcomaAwarenessMonth #RareGems #HopeOverFear #StrongerThanSarcoma #RareButResilient #SarcomaSurvivor #BionicWarrior #IAmCharlene

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jul 31

Although it's the last day of Sarcoma Awareness Month I continue to advocate for myself, those still fighting, for those we’ve lost, and for those who might not know what signs to look for. Early detection can save lives.

Advocacy can change outcomes and awareness matters.

🧡

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I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jun 13

I'm so proud to have been featured in this Patient Advocacy Special Issue for E-Cancer on addressing health disparities and equitable representation in cancer research.

Read the article here: 👇🏾

ecancer.org/en/journal/a...

Addressing health disparities and equitable representation in cancer research through the initiative, ‘The Patient and Public Involvement Cancer Research Group

Addressing health disparities and equitable representation in cancer research through the initiative, ‘The Patient and Public Involvement Cancer Research Grou

ecancer.org

Reposted by I Am Charlene

The People's Review @thepeoplesreview.ie · Jun 9

👋 Meet The People’s Review Steering Group!

Our steering group is made up of people like you and me from around the world. 🌍
They’ve been part of this journey since the very beginning - way back in November 2022. Time flies when you're having fun 😉

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I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jun 2

#JuneReset
#MidYearReset
#JuneRenewal
#ReflectAndReset
#JuneGoals
#PersonalGrowth
#GoalSettingCoach
#IAmCharlene

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jun 2

✨ Declutter - Clear out your space, delete old files.

✨ Reconnect - With friends, family, or even to yourself.

✨ Set New Intentions - List your top three priorities for the next few months.

How will you reset this month❓️

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · Jun 2

🌿 June Reset: A Mid-Year Fresh Start 🌿

June marks the halfway point of the year — a perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign your goals.

Here’s how you can reset:

✨ Reflect - Take a look back at the past six months.

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 30

⭐️Thank You for the Feedback⭐️

I’m incredibly thankful for the amazing feedback shared and knowing that the workshop made a real impact is the best reward of all..😇

📆 If you're interested in bringing this workshop to your Organisation or Patient Involvement Event, I’d love to hear from you!

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 29

Thinking out loud...💭
Who decides the rates? And who is on this review committee..? 🤔...

💡Overall this needs to be reviewed.

This deserves a whole blog post from me...LOADING!⏳️

www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/wha...

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 29

The NIHR guidance payment rates for involvement activities often comes up at @Diverse_PPI and other meetings.

Discussions around 'the rates not matching up' to the level of involvement, sharing lived experiences/re-living trauma after these meetings have taken place... The list goes on...

www.nihr.ac.uk

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 29

It's been two years and I'm still honoured to receive this award...🏆

#TBT
#ThrowBackThursday
#InspirationalMother
#BionicWarrior
#IAmCharlene

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 28

📣Calling all Chinese Family Carers in the UK and Ireland📣

Share your experiences to help shape better support services 👥

📧: Contact Wenji Tang - [email protected]

‼️Please share to your networks‼️

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 28

Thank you for the acknowledgement ❤️

#NHS
#Health
#HealthInequalities
#PatientAdvocate
#IAmCharlene

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 28

Living with multiple long-term conditions isn't the easiest when nagivating a NHS system that has no co-ordinated clinical care, plus more...

I shared my lived experience with The Kings Fund 🗣

🔗Read here to find out how patient care can be improved 👉🏾 www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...

Improving Clinical Coordination Of Multiple Long-Term Conditions | The King's Fund

More people have multiple long-term conditions, but care pathways focus on single conditions. What do clinicians and commissioners need to improve the experiences of those with multiple long-term cond...

www.kingsfund.org.uk

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 27

💡 Health isn’t just about medicine — it’s community, connection, and confidence.

youtu.be/Iyr5FRdiKv8

#SocialPrescribing #CommunityHealth #Wellbeing #PrimaryCare #SocialPrescriber #HolisticHealth #NHS #PublicHealth #PatientAdvocacy #IAmCharlene

What does a social prescriber do?

youtu.be

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 27

✅️ Personalised Plan: A plan will be created to support your needs. This includes activities, groups and services.

✅️ Ongoing Support: You will receive continued support to work towards your goals.

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 27

How to access your local social prescriber❓️

✅️ Talk to your GP: Discuss your situation and how they are impacting your health or wellbeing.

✅️ Referral: Ask to be referred to a social prescribing link worker.

✅️ Initial Meeting: You meet with a link worker to discuss your needs and goals

I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 27

🌿 Who Are Social Prescribers? 🌿

Social prescribers are connectors, listeners, and supporters 💬💙

They help people find non-medical support to improve their health and well-being, from community groups and exercise classes to housing advice and mental health support.

Reposted by I Am Charlene

The People's Review @thepeoplesreview.ie · May 24

The list of 21 questions that made it through to this stage are...

🔗 Cast your vote here: buff.ly/E87QLDx

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Reposted by I Am Charlene

Bone Cancer Research Trust @bcrt-uk.bsky.social · May 23

Yesterday, we were honoured to view the Children with Cancer Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 🌺

The space is a beautiful tribute to children and families affected by cancer, and we were proud to stand alongside our friends at @skcuk.bsky.social and Alice's Arc.

#UntilTheresACure

Will and Zoe from the Bone Cancer Research Trust stand in a garden with David and Sara from Alice's Arc and Gail from Solving Kids Cancer.

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I Am Charlene @iamcharleneyoung.bsky.social · May 21

📢Stage 2 is now open...💃🏾💃🏾

It's not too late to get involved...🏃🏾‍♀️

#ThePeoplesReview

The People's Review @thepeoplesreview.ie · May 20

🎉 Stage 2 is LIVE - where YOU get to decide the People's favourite question!

➡️ If you're joining The People's Review for the first time sign-up here: buff.ly/kAuYITA

➡️ If joined us for Stage 1 you can login in directly to Cochrane Crowd here: buff.ly/q0WudTM

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