Volunteering opportunities with Healthwatch Hull

 Healthwatch aims to improve local Health and Social Care services by using the experiences of service users, family of and carers to identify good and poor practices as well as gaps in the provision of services. They want to build confidence within the community that their experiences, whether good or poor, are important, that they should be heard and will make a difference.
 Community Engagement Volunteers are vital to our mission as they are the face of Healthwatch and will actively promote the organisation within the community. They will reach out and engage with the community on their own terms, making sure to listen to their experiences and build their confidence by ensuring that their voices are heard.

Key Tasks

1. Assist in promoting Healthwatch by taking part in engagement events aimed at young people, at volunteer fayres and other events as needed.
2. Engage with local communities at engagement events and enable their voice to be heard by recording their experiences through our survey.
3. Promote the Healthwatch Newsletter during engagement events and encourage people to receive updates of Healthwatch’s activities through social media platforms.
4. Assist with the continual development of the Healthwatch survey to ensure it meets the needs of the local community.
5. Identify local and national news in relation to Health and Social Care services and bring them to the attention of Healthwatch.
6. Identify alternative media sources which can reach people with learning difficulties and literacy issues.
7. Undertake training appropriate to the role.

Personal Attributes

You do not need any specific experience or knowledge to volunteer for Healthwatch. Instead we ask that our volunteers can demonstrate the following attributes:

1. Good interpersonal skills, demonstrating active listening and an open minded, non-judgemental attitude.
2. Be approachable and confident when engaging with individuals from a range of backgrounds and have a commitment to promoting Equality and Diversity.
3. Be respectful, compassionate and supportive of and towards others.
4. Be proactive in protecting personal data and maintaining confidentiality.
5. Have an interest in Health and Social Care and be passionate about making a difference to the lives of others.
6. Able to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
7. Good written communication skills including the ability to take notes and write up conversations.

Availability

Volunteering opportunities at Healthwatch, for the most part, will be provided Monday to Friday within office hours. There may be occasions however where volunteering opportunities are offered outside of these times.

There is no time commitment when volunteering with Healthwatch. You are able to choose as and when you volunteer but we recommend a minimum of five hours volunteering per month to gain the most experience from the role.

Location

There is no set location for this role, engagement events can take place anywhere across the area however you will be informed when and where they are taking place and can choose which events you want to be involved with.

If this sounds like a role you would love to get involved with you can find more information on the Healthwatch website here Community Engagement Volunteer | Healthwatch Hull (healthwatchkingstonuponhull.co.uk)