Sheffield Children’s reflects on 150 years and looks to the future at milestone Annual Members’ Meeting

Colleagues, governors and members of the local community came together at The Spark for Sheffield Children’s Annual Members’ Meeting during our landmark 150th anniversary year. The event marked 150 years since the original meeting that began Sheffield Children’s journey to becoming a world-leading specialist children’s trust, providing an opportunity to reflect on our proud history while looking ahead to the future.

Held at The Spark, Sheffield Children’s new world-class facility and home of the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT), the meeting provided an opportunity to celebrate Sheffield Children’s rich history, review achievements from the past year, and look ahead to the future of children’s health.

Members heard updates from Chair Professor Laura Serrant CBE, Chief Executive Ruth Brown, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer John Williams, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and external auditors KPMG, with speakers reflecting on progress against the Trust’s Caring Together 2030 strategy and the achievements of colleagues, partners and funders throughout the year.

The 150th anniversary was marked with a unique opportunity to see Sheffield Children’s historic meeting minute books, including records from the very first meeting held in 1876 that led to the creation of the hospital. A powerful video featuring three generations of one family who have all received care at Sheffield Children’s also showed the impact of care throughout the last 150 years.  

A special highlight of the event included the presence of three-year-old Milo who was the very first child and patient of Sheffield Children’s to come through the doors at The Spark. He was joined by other special guests including Sheffield Children’s Chief Pharmacist from 1976 to 2009 John Timmins who said: “Sheffield Children’s always has a piece of your heart, and it is always part of you.”

Attendees also received an update on the Trust’s Annual Report and accounts and financial audit. External auditors highlighted Sheffield Children’s strong performance and governance, noting that there were lots to be proud of during the year.

The event also marked an important milestone for Professor Laura Serrant CBE, who chaired her final annual members meeting before handing over to a new chair at the start of 2027.

Laura reflected on her own first memories of Sheffield Children’s as a student nurse, and the role Sheffield Children’s continues to play in improving lives for children and young people.

We are so proud to be celebrating 150 years of outstanding care for children and young people, and our annual members meeting provided a fitting opportunity to celebrate our past while looking ahead to the next chapter of innovation, research and outstanding care.

Thank you to everyone who is part of Sheffield Children’s – past and present – and for all the work that happens every day to create healthier futures for children and young people.