So, just what difference does being a Healthwatch volunteer make?
WITH perhaps the current exception of Brexit, no subject has been discussed or debated more on a continual basis in the UK by politicians at all levels and the public at large than the National Health Service (NHS).
Healthwatch, independent consumer champion of health and social care, came into existence in 2012 as a direct result of concerns arising from failures in care provision within certain sectors of the NHS.
Every area of the country has a Healthwatch and it operates successfully on the well known principle that “one volunteer is worth 10 pressed men.”
Healthwatch volunteers are people who first and foremost are public spirited people who care.
They recognise that in providing and maintaining a NHS for 65 million people, the Government alone is not able to monitor effectively all aspects of care provision.
Volunteers can have a wide range of skills and experience and come from all age groups and wherever possible, these skills and experiences are utilised in Healthwatch activities such as outreach work, engaging with communities, visiting services and undertaking mystery shops of services.
What are the benefits to becoming a Healthwatch volunteer?
Healthwatch believes that of all the benefits accruing to its volunteers, none is more satisfying than the certain knowledge that they are giving their time and energy to providing a monitoring service that benefits the great majority of people locally, who rely on the NHS for their health and wellbeing.
On signing up, volunteers quickly realise that they are now part of a national enterprise, and working locally with other local people, they have an important role to play.
“Service to the community” is a much used phrase, but there is no more important service provided to a community than that of the Healthwatch volunteer, which together with bonds of friendship with other volunteers and a feeling of communal spirit, makes for an extremely rewarding experience.
Furthermore, research has shown that volunteering leads to better health in those who volunteer as well as lower mortality rates, greater functional ability and lower rates of depression than those who do not volunteer.
If you are interested in making a difference locally please get in touch with me, UllaKarin Clark, Healthwatch Wokingham Borough Volunteer Coordinator.
You can email me at: ullakarin.clark@ healthwatchwokingham.co.uk
How to contact us :
Facebook @healthwatchwokingham
Twitter @HWWokingham
Phone 0118 418 1 418
Website www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk E-Mail enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk