Advisory Committee Volunteer Healthwatch Lewisham

Healthwatch Advisory Committee Volunteer

Applicants Must Live in Lewisham

What is Healthwatch? 

Healthwatch Lewisham is an independent organisation set up to champion the views of health and social care service users. It strives to make sure that health and social care services are meeting local needs and to ensure that the public’s voice is heard regarding how local services are run. Healthwatch also makes sure that they inform the public of any plans to change those services and identify gaps in services.  

About the role 

Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) are looking for local residents interested in becoming part of Healthwatch Lewisham. We are looking for people to join our Advisory Committee with local knowledge, experience, and passion for promoting better health and social care for local people. 

The committee acts as an advisory group supporting the local staff team with projects and monitoring the progress of the service. The Healthwatch Advisory Committee also plays important representational and public relations roles working with local communities and key partners to drive influence and impact and improve health and social care services for residents. 

Overall governance, responsibility, and all liabilities rest with the YVHSC Board of Directors. 

Tasks 

• Oversee delivery of Healthwatch projects and services, working with your fellow committee members and the committee chair.  

• Attending committee meetings and additional project meetings where required. 

• Contribute to the monitoring and scrutiny of health and social care services in the borough on behalf of patients, service users, carers, and residents. 

• Identify, approve and oversee a range of projects through evaluation of impact and publishing of reports.  

• To be involved, as the outward face of Healthwatch Lewisham, at community events and strategic meetings, demonstrating leadership and taking an active role in community and stakeholder engagement, and through this work ensuring that Healthwatch is reaching and representing the diverse communities of the borough. 

• Provide advice, support, and challenges to the Healthwatch staff. 

• Build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders, including members of the public, patients, service users, carers, community, and voluntary sector organisations, Healthwatch England, Care Quality Commission, NHS-funded providers, Integrated Care Board, Health & Wellbeing Board, and the Local Authority. 

• Ensure that Healthwatch is represented on the Health and Wellbeing Board and plays a proactive role in decisions relating to the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, planning, commissioning, and delivery of health and social care. 

Is this the right role for me? 

Requirements of Committee Members: 

• Flexible schedule - Time commitment varies between 3-10 hours a month on a flexible schedule. Committee meetings vary but are roughly once every two months. There may be other events and meetings that they request you to attend. 

• Experience in the health and social care sector in the borough, for example, medical students & practitioners, third sector workers, and those with experience working with the Local Authority or the Integrated Care System at large. 

• Must be good at working as part of a collaborative team. 

• Must be willing to commit to self-development–Committee members are encouraged to identify personal training and development needs and seek opportunities for development, attending training events as required.  

• Diligence and attention to detail - Committee members are expected to prepare adequately for meetings they attend, making sure they read through reports and other documents. 

Benefits of volunteering 

• Enjoy the experience of volunteering as part of a friendly team and meeting new people 

• Increase your confidence and learn new skills 

• Use your experience with Healthwatch to develop your CV and seek work in health and social care or other fields of employment 

• In-house training opportunities include call handling and safeguarding. 

• Reasonable travel and expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy