The world is changing. More young people with chronic conditions are growing up, becoming adults and living more independently. Trapeze was created to support young people to manage their conditions better so they can live their own lives and stay out of hospital.
In 2012, Trapeze was established as the specialist adolescent chronic care service of The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
Our name TRAPEZE was chosen to highlight the courage needed in making the leap to adulthood and independence. Our service acts as the safety net for young people to prevent them from falling through the gap.
During its first year, Trapeze navigated the waters of creativity, searching for ideas and solutions, for imaginative ways to build individualised and successful pathways for young people with chronic conditions. Many hours have been spent in consultation, discussion, review of evidence-based research and clinical support to make Trapeze what it is today.
Trapeze is proud to be a global pioneer in adolescent chronic care.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgement of Country
Trapeze acknowledges the traditional owners of the many Aboriginal lands of New South Wales. In particular, Trapeze acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. It is upon their ancestral lands that Trapeze is built. We pay respect to elders past and present and to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
Acknowledgement of Young People
Trapeze acknowledges the young people living with chronic conditions who continue to inspire and inform the work we do. Their courage and hope keeps alive the determination and will of our service to make sure that in all we do we aim to make a difference to their lives.
Acknowledgement of Adolescent Champions
Trapeze acknowledges the staff within The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network who work tirelessly to ensure young people receive the support they require to make the leap to adult services in a way which enhances their well-being and aims to improve their overall health outcomes. Special thanks to Ms Elizabeth Koff and Dr Michael Brydon.
Trapeze also thanks those who work in adolescent health and advocated for the development of our service - Clinical Associate Professor Susan Towns, Professor Kate Steinbeck, Clinical Professor David Bennett, Professor Les White, Mr Chris Shipway and Ms Lynne Brodie.
This video, "Transition Program for Young People with Chronic Illness/Disability" was filmed as part of a workshop held at Luna Park in 2005 that brought young people together to help develop a transition program for young people with a chronic illness / disability as part of the Greater Metropolitan Transition Taskforce’s (GMCT) Transition Care Network. GMCT evolved to the Agency For Clinical Innovation in 2010. The Transition Care Network continues to improve transition systems and processes for young people across NSW and the key messages in this video are still current.