Purpose of the role

To be the voice for people in the community and feed back their views on local health and social care services.
To feed back information gathered at meetings back to the Support Team to inform future priorities and areas of work.
 

What will you be doing?

As a Healthwatch Representative you are asked to:

  • Represent Healthwatch and offer the lay perspective at meetings with statutory sector partners and local service providers.
  • Report back to the Volunteer Support officer after each meeting you attend, either by telephone or by submitting a report template by email.
  • Provide information to the Volunteer Support Officer about issues discussed at meetings that are relevant to Healthwatch and where we have been influential.
  • Contributing to the wider work of Healthwatch through information acquired at meetings attended.
  • Talk to people you know about Healthwatch and its role.
  • Record what people tell you about their experiences, whether good or bad and feed them back to the Support Team.
  • Attend Healthwatch volunteer training and group support sessions as appropriate.
  • Attend meetings with other Healthwatch members to discuss issues and concerns from meetings attended and possible areas of work.
     

Personal qualities for the role

  • Committed to the Healthwatch St Helens Code of Conduct.
  • Good listening and communication skills.
  • Committed to helping people have a voice.
  • Able to encourage people you know to speak up about their views and experiences.
  • Non-judgmental and respectful of others.
  • Able to separate own experiences from other people’s issues.
  • Committed to promoting equality & diversity.
     

How we will support you

Making sure you understand the issues related to the meeting you are attending
Providing you with information about a range of local health and well-being services and issues.
Providing you with an induction and ongoing training as needed.
Giving you opportunities to get together with other Healthwatch volunteers and exchange ideas/information.
Covering the costs of travelling to meetings and visits.
 

Duration/commitment

The time commitment will vary, depending on the nature of the meetings you are attending on our behalf.

Healthwatch Representatives should be willing to get involved with other areas of work such as task & finish groups, where the knowledge they gain at the meetings they attend will be beneficial.

How to apply

Complete our volunteer form below and we'll be in touch shortly

https://sthelens.healthwatch-wib.co.uk/form/healthwatch-st-helens-volunteer