What our volunteers think
Here are some of our volunteers supporting us during outreach sessions and events in the community of Kirklees
What some of our volunteers say about their volunteering experience with us!
Soundbite: Nayab tells us why she volunteers at Healthwatch Kirklees
“I have chosen to volunteer with Healthwatch as it is a rewarding and impactful experience. It helps me make a difference in the community as well as it has influence in changing healthcare. I like volunteering as it has helped me gain valuable skills and built confidence to talk and meet with like-minded individuals who are as passionate about healthcare and community wellbeing as me, and I always learn something new from them. Making a positive difference in someone’s life and being their voice of change, is what motivated me to keep volunteering for Healthwatch. It gives me satisfaction seeing someone smile because of talking to me. ”
Ume, Community engagement and outreach volunteer, Healthwatch Kirklees.
“Volunteering makes me feel like I’m making an impact on the services provided and I feel like a valued member of society. I have enjoyed outreach sessions, educating people on their options on how to access different services and the help they require. I have developed my communication skills, and mindfulness when attending outreach sessions. It has helped with my confidence as I have to engage with service users in conversations” –
Adnan, Healthwatch Kirklees volunteer.
“In my volunteer role, I welcome the opportunity to support people to enable their voices to be heard in relation to aspects of service delivery- identifying examples of good practice whilst also highlighting where improvements need to be made and how they might be achieved”
Lynne, Enter and view volunteer, for Healthwatch Kirklees & Healthwatch Calderdale
“I volunteer with Healthwatch because I love chatting to people about what’s going on for them and I think that the work Healthwatch do is incredibly important, it gives me a sense of purpose and belonging ”
Andrew, Enter and View volunteer, for Healthwatch Kirklees & Healthwatch Calderdale
Volunteers representing Healthwatch:
Lisa volunteers with Healthwatch Kirklees as an Enter & View Volunteer
How did you find out about volunteering?
I’ve been volunteering for Healthwatch Kirklees for 10 years.
I was working in a team supporting community-based groups at the time and came across an advert on social media. As soon as I saw what the role involved, I was really interested and knew I wanted to apply.
What type of activities do you usually do as a volunteer?
My original role is an Enter and View volunteer – a small team of volunteers and staff members visit a specific location which is connected to publicly funded health and/or social care e.g. care homes; opticians; dentists; hospitals etc. During the visit we have a look around the public areas of the establishment; get a feel for the place using a ‘5 senses’ test and then speak with service users, staff and carers/visitors to find out their views of the service (the good and the not so good). We then produce a summary report from the visit with our findings including the good practice and act as a critical friend by identifying ways to improve the service which the organisation takes forward.
There are also lots of other things I can get involved with when I have time including outreach engagement; proofreading reports; testing surveys; online research etc.
What do you like about your volunteer role?
Unfortunately, my availability to volunteer has reduced over the last couple of years, but the role is so flexible and supportive that I’m able to get involved when I have the capacity. This has enabled me to keep my volunteering role and ‘dip in and out’ as I can.
The support offered to volunteers is absolutely fantastic. Katherine, our volunteer coordinator is lovely and a real ‘people person’. She goes the extra mile to support volunteers to learn, develop, get involved and get the most out of the role, but equally continually reassures people how flexible the role is so they don’t feel pressured.
I’m also really passionate about people having a voice about their health and social care experiences and the role really allows me to feel I’ve supported someone to do that.
