A new children’s book, co-written by pupils from New Inn Primary School, has been launched by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to help young people understand sepsis and recognise when someone may need urgent medical help.
The Invisible Invader was officially launched at New Inn Primary School on 15 September during a special assembly attended by pupils, staff, Petra Publishing Ltd and representatives from the Health Board, including Chief Executive Nicola Prygodzicz and Medical Director Dr Seema Srivastava.
Written by author Mike Church, illustrated by Andy O’Rourke and produced by Petra Publishing Ltd, the book has been created as part of the Health Board’s ongoing Sepsis Awareness Campaign.
The launch event included a reading of the story by Mike Church, who worked closely with a group of Year 5 pupils to develop the book, its characters and key messages.
A total of 1,000 copies of The Invisible Invader are being printed and will be available from early autumn. Copies will be distributed to primary schools across Gwent to help children and families learn more about sepsis and the importance of seeking help quickly when someone is seriously unwell.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection harms its own tissues and organs. Early recognition and treatment are vital and can save lives.
What makes The Invisible Invader particularly unique is that it was developed with children rather than simply for children.
At the start of the project, the Year 5 pupils involved had little knowledge of sepsis. Over several weeks, they learned about the condition through a series of educational sessions delivered by members of the Health Board’s Quality and Patient Safety Team and Consultant Dr Jonathan Lloyd-Evans, who generously gave up his own free time to support the project and help the children understand what sepsis is, how it affects people and why early recognition is so important.
Mike Church then worked alongside the pupils to transform their ideas and learning into a story that is both engaging and educational.
The young co-authors were:
- Harri Richardson
- Noah Baldock
- Jacob Lowry
- Rosie Cook
- Kaitlyn Tucker
- Jorgie McHugh
- Jessica Sanders
- Eli Ponali
- Noah Jones
- Thomas Pink
The project was supported by their teacher, Mrs Morgan.
As well as raising awareness of sepsis, the story explores themes of compassion, bravery and friendship.
The book also includes a personal account from the mother of a New Inn Primary School pupil who experienced sepsis as a baby. By sharing her family’s experience, she hopes to help others recognise the signs of sepsis and understand the importance of acting quickly when concerns arise.
Speaking at the launch, Nicola Prygodzicz, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:
“This book is about far more than raising awareness. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when families, schools, communities, healthcare professionals and partner organisations come together with a shared purpose.
“This book is also a tribute to the families who have so generously shared their experiences of sepsis with us. Their voices have helped drive learning, influence change and ensure that our awareness campaign is grounded in real experiences.
“The imagination, creativity and enthusiasm shown by the pupils of New Inn Primary School transformed an important health message into a story that children can understand, remember and share.”
Dr Seema Srivastava, Medical Director of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:
“Sepsis remains a significant patient safety concern and we know that recognising the signs and symptoms early can make a vital difference to outcomes.
“What makes this project particularly special is that it has been developed with children, not simply for children.
“This project demonstrates the value of co-production, bringing together children, families, educators, healthcare professionals and community partners to create a resource that is both meaningful and accessible.”
The Health Board hopes the book will encourage important conversations at home, in schools and across local communities. By helping children and families recognise when someone may be seriously unwell and encouraging them to seek help early, the resource has the potential to make a real difference to outcomes.
The launch of The Invisible Invader marks another milestone in the Health Board’s Sepsis Awareness Campaign and leaves a lasting legacy created by local children, inspired by the experiences of local families, and designed to help future generations better understand a condition where early action can save lives.
