Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer Roles Available:

• Engagement Work: As a Healthwatch volunteer, you’ll engage with the community in Westminster by visiting hospitals, community hubs, and local organisations to gather feedback on health and social care services. You’ll also help signpost people to relevant services, ensuring they get the support they need. This role offers valuable insights into the NHS and social care while directly contributing to the improvement of local services.
• Enter & View Visits: In this role, you’ll participate in Enter & View visits, observing NHS services such as hospitals and care homes in Westminster. You’ll gather feedback from patients and staff to assess service quality and identify areas for improvement. This feedback is compiled into reports with recommendations shared with the service provider to help enhance care. Volunteers play a key role in shaping local health services through their contributions.
• Healthwatch Meetings: You’ll attend key Healthwatch meetings and take detailed notes, sharing these with the wider Healthwatch team. This ensures everyone is informed about the latest developments in Westminster's health services. Your involvement helps keep our planning and discussions connected to community needs.
• Report Writing & Editing: If you enjoy writing, you can assist us in drafting, editing, and finalising reports based on the feedback we gather. These reports are vital in presenting findings to health and social care providers, the public, and key decision-makers in Westminster. You’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring our reports are well-researched and professional.
• Information & Signposting: While conducting engagement work, you’ll help people find essential information about local health services. You’ll connect them with the right care and support, ensuring they are signposted to the services they need in Westminster.
• Digital Communications & Social Media: Help us raise awareness by creating content for our social media channels and online platforms. If you have an interest in digital marketing or communications, this role allows you to make a significant impact by increasing the visibility of Healthwatch in Westminster and encouraging more people to get involved.
• Virtual Visitor: As a virtual visitor, you can engage with the public from home. You’ll reach out to individuals remotely, gathering their feedback on health services and providing them with information. This flexible role allows you to volunteer from wherever you are.
• Research & Analysis: In this role, you’ll conduct research into local health services in Westminster, identifying trends and challenges. Your research will inform the reports we create and ensure we advocate for the changes that matter most to our community.
• Translator Role: If you’re fluent in languages such as Arabic, your skills are vital for our engagement efforts. We need volunteers to accompany us during community visits to help translate conversations and materials. This ensures that patients and service users, especially in non-English speaking communities, fully understand what Healthwatch does and how we can support them in accessing relevant health services.
• Advisory Board Member: Join our Advisory Board and play a key role in guiding the direction of Healthwatch Westminster. As a board member, you’ll help review and approve projects, ensuring our initiatives are focused on the needs of the community. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to high-level decision-making and leadership.

Eligibility to Volunteer:

To volunteer with Healthwatch Westminster, you must meet the following requirements:

- Be 18 years or older.

- Live or work within Westminster

- Complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

Why Volunteer with Us?

There are many benefits to volunteering with Healthwatch Westminster:

- Boost Your CV: Volunteering with us is a great way to gain valuable experience, particularly if you’re looking to work in health, social care, or the public sector.

- Receive Training– You’ll have the opportunity to undertake training with Healthwatch England and learn more about the NHS, health systems, and public engagement.

- Make a Difference: Your contributions will help shape the future of health and care services in Westminster, ensuring that they meet the needs of the community.

- Gain References: We’re happy to provide references to support your future career goals, whether you’re applying for a job or further education.

- Understand the NHS Better: You’ll gain an insider’s perspective on how the NHS operates and how you can advocate for improvements in the system.

- Be Part of a Supportive Team: You’ll join a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about improving health services.

How to Join:

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

Email your interest in volunteering – Write a short statement expressing your interest in volunteering.

Sign a Volunteer Agreement– This agreement outlines your role, responsibilities, and what you can expect from Healthwatch Westminster.

Complete a DBS Check – All Volunteers are required to do a  DBS check while training.

Attend an Induction Session– We’ll provide you with a comprehensive induction where you’ll learn about your role, the goals of Healthwatch, and how we work to improve healthcare services.

Participate in Training– Depending on your chosen role, you’ll receive specific training, such as how to collect feedback, conduct Enter & View visits, or write reports.

Get Started!– If you are interested in any of our volunteering opportunities please contact us and state your interest by emailing info@healthwatchwestminster.org.uk