Public Health Agency launches Key Stage 3 and 4 education resources
Ahead of Organ Donation Week which runs from 22-28 September, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging all Key Stage 3 and 4 teachers to download new free resources and deliver them during this important awareness week.
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 today (17 September) 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.
For additional information please contact Catherine McKeown, Organ Donation Promotion Manager on 07917 514485 or catherine.mckeown2@hscni.net
- As of 30 June 2025, 59% of people had signed the Organ Donor Register (1,092,121 / 57% to opt-in; 28,533 / 2% to opt-out)
- The law around organ donation changed to an opt-out system on 1 June 2023. The law is known as 'Dáithí's Law' means, in the event that organ donation is a possibility after you die, it will be considered that you agree to being an organ donor unless you choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. To find out more visit: www.organdonationni.info.
- No one is automatically added to the NHS Organ Donor Register, unless you record a decision, no details will be held for you. You can opt-in, opt-out or change your decision at any time
- Even though the law has changed, everyone is encouraged to continue to record opt-in decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register. This helps to leave them certain of your decision as families will always be involved before organ donation goes ahead
- It is quick and easy to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
- Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register; age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation
- Whatever you decide, it is important talk with your loved ones to give them the certainty they need to support your decision
- Only 50% of families agree to donation if they don’t know their loved one’s decision, but this rises to 90% if they know their loved one wanted to donate
- One donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation and save and transform even more by donating tissue
- Each year in Northern Ireland around 10-15 people die while awaiting a transplant
- Only 1% of people die in situations where donation is possible (in hospital in specific circumstances), therefore every donation is precious
You can become a living donor:
Across the UK, more than 1,000 people each year donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive to a relative, friend or even someone they do not know. The most commonly donated organ by a living person is a kidney. Part of a liver can also be transplanted from a living donor to help someone in need of a liver transplant.
NHS Blood and Transplant:
Is a joint England and Wales Special Health Authority, providing the blood donation service for England and the organ donation service for the UK. NHSBT also provide donated tissues, stem cells and cord blood, and are an essential part of the NHS, saving and improving lives through public donation.