Young Healthwatch

Want to gain valuable volunteering experience while influencing positive changes to health and social care services for young people in your local area?

Young Healthwatch is a new initiative which aims to ensure the views of young people are heard by the NHS and local authority to positively shape health and social care services in South Tyneside.

A diverse group of young volunteers aged between 16 and 25, we are in the process of highlighting key concerns raised by young people about GP surgeries, sexual health, mental health and adult social care services.

It is an exciting time to be joining Young Healthwatch with our successful ‘manage your mental health’ social media and live Q&A campaign. We have already started to establish the challenges often faced by young people when accessing mental health services in our local area.

What will I do as Young Healthwatch volunteer?

We meet regularly (at least once a month or less frequently at Hebburn Central) in which we design, carry out surveys and promotional activities to learn about the healthcare experiences of young people.  We take both the good and bad on board and relay this feedback to the decision makers who run local health and social care services in the most effective way.

As a Young Healthwatch volunteer you will be at the forefront of change – the eyes and ears  – to be able to advise healthcare providers how to engage young people and find out what reform they want to see. We also examine the voices of specific groups i.e. young carers, special needs and minority groups, to learn about their concern regarding the care provided to them and their family.

What’s in it for me?

It is an excellent opportunity to develop key skills such as communication, team work, public speaking and project management. You will gain invaluable experience of the health and social care and voluntary sectors – ideal experience to enhance your CV and/or university application.

Young Healthwatchers across the country have gone on to various careers in healthcare, such as medicine, social care, nursing, dentistry, care work, research projects, policy work as well as becoming social media campaigners.

But best of all you’ll have new opportunities to meet new like-minded young people and socialise!

How do I find out more?

Text: 07525 595700
Email: t.johnson@healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk
Message us via our Facebook page: facebook.com/HWSouthTyneside
Call: (0191) 489 7952

Download a Young Volunteer Application Form here

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