Healthwatch Leeds Stuart Morrison – Community Project Worker

What is Healthwatch? Created by the Health and Social Care Act Strengthen the collective voice of people who use health and social care services and members of the public. Nationally – Healthwatch England Locally – Healthwatch Leeds

What do we do? We will gather views and experiences Promote and support involvement Research and evaluation InfluenceImpact Better services

What else does local Healthwatch do? Seat on the Health and Well Being Board Providing information, advice and signposting How to access services What services are available Choice and control Enter and view Refer issues to Scrutiny Board, Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission.

The Leeds Picture

Who are we? VolunteersThe BoardStaff Team Partners`Friends`

What are we doing now? Information, advice and signposting. NHS Complaints Advocacy – LIHCA Unhappy about services What services are there Getting nowhere with other agencies

Recruiting volunteers Meeting existing and new volunteers Out and about at events Matching to opportunities Training and support

Views and experience Visiting people in their communities Working with existing groups, networks and organisations. Events

Working with organisations Building relationships Regular meetings Seats on Boards and Groups Supporting their work

Healthwatch Leeds has a legal responsibility to listen and learn from the experiences of children and young people. Children and Young People

So Far….. Part of the Children Leeds Strategic Voice and Influence network Small group of young volunteers (16-25) Meetings with established young people groups to: Identify concerns/issues Identify joint working Discuss engagement methods Not duplicate work

What next? Training offered Drop-in sessions More volunteers to: Collect evidence Help with branding Co-produce website Editorial panels Decide on actions

Working together Engagement with young people Access into schools Opportunities to work together? Eg Health themed events Raising the profile of Healthwatch to children and young people

Thank-you