Just who are Healthwatch Wokingham?
HOPEFULLY, you enjoy reading our Monthly column, but you may be asking, who are Healthwatch Wokingham?
We are a statutory body that exists to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. We aim to improve services for all who use them.
Healthwatch Wokingham has four roles: VOICING: we enable people to share their views and concerns about local health and social care services.
INFLUENCING: wherever decisions are made about the design and delivery of health and care services, we aim to make sure people’s voices are heard.
INFORMING: our helpline and hub gives information about local health and care services. You can contact them on 0118 418 1418.
REPORTING: we share concerns about the quality of health and social care with the people who provide them, the commissioners who fund them and if necessary with national bodies. #
In the past year we have worked on projects regarding, accessing information via GP and dental websites, perinatal mental health and the role of unpaid carers during the pandemic. The reports we produce are available for you to view on our website.
We are curently consulting on our 2021/2022 priorites and you can make your voice heard by visiting our website and completing our survey What Matters Most? or calling our helpdesk 0118 418 1418. Would you like to support us in our work?
We are recruiting for two new non-executive directors who are passionate about improving health and social care; this role is voluntary.
Our staff team is small and so our Board members play an active role.
They have a variety of backgrounds and expertise and we are open to a range of applicants. We have identified that the Board would benefit from people with experience and/or knowledge in one or more of these areas: Diversity and Inclusion Co-production / patient and public engagement
Influencing at a strategic level to leaders and policy-makers
Adult social care, including care at home
Physical disability
Mental health, learning disability or autism
Health inequalities and the wider determinants of health
Communications, both traditional and digital.
For at least some places on the Board, we hope to appoint people who along with their other qualities bring personal experience of receiving health or social care either themselves, or as carers or family members.
Jim Stockley says: “I have been privileged for the last eight years to chair Healthwatch Wokingham Borough, since its formation in 2013, and two of our directors have the same vintage.
“Sitting on the board is another variety of volunteering. It is important to support our small staff team and volunteers.
“We develop relationships with an incredible variety of organisations from service providers to other volunteer groups which is one of the pleasures and challenges of our role. Being part of Healthwatch requires no specific qualification.
“Rather a passion and interest to help improve health and social care for our community, we are all qualified after all as we all are recipients of the services at some time in our lives.
“I have seen how we have made a difference to our community over the last eight years and we need more contributors.”
For more information, email hrsupport@helpandcare.org.uk or call Joanna on 01202 416021.