About our volunteers
Healthwatch Blackpool recognises the benefit of a cohort of local volunteers who are skilled and experienced in engaging with members of the public.
Volunteers not only enrich the organisation by sharing their extensive local knowledge and intelligence but also support the Operational Team with our work by helping us to carry out our statutory responsibilities.
By volunteering with Healthwatch Blackpool, you can help make a difference in health and social care services and gain experience engaging with communities across the county as part of exciting new Healthwatch projects.
What our volunteers do
Volunteers are a vital part of Healthwatch Blackpool. They get involved in a wide range of activities that help make sure local health and care services work for the people who use them.
Here are some of the ways our volunteers make a difference
- Enter & View Visits
We have the legal power to visit health and care services, such as hospitals, GPs, dentists, care homes, and day centres. These visits allow our trained volunteers to speak to patients, staff, and relatives, helping us understand what’s working well and what could be improved. Would you be happy for someone you love to be cared for in this service?
- Mystery Shopping
Our volunteers sometimes visit health and care providers anonymously, just like a regular service user. They look at things like how easy it is to access information, how staff respond, and the overall experience. After each visit, they complete a short questionnaire to record their findings.
- PLACE Assessments
PLACE stands for Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment. These national assessments help hospitals understand how well they’re meeting the needs of patients. Our volunteers help bring the patient voice to this process by assessing things like cleanliness, dignity, and accessibility.
- Consultations
Volunteers help us make sure public views are heard in a range of ways:
- Reviewing documents to make sure they’re easy to understand
- Joining focus groups to discuss key topics
- Attending consultation events and chatting to attendees
- Recording people’s views during events
- Administration Support
Some volunteers support our team with office tasks on an ad-hoc basis, helping things run smoothly behind the scenes.
- Peer Support
We welcome volunteers with lived experience or those who are passionate about supporting others. Peer supporters may help new volunteers settle in or use their specific skills and interests to shape health and care projects.
Training & Support
All Healthwatch Blackpool volunteers:
- Receive full induction and ongoing training
- Are subject to reference checks and enhanced DBS clearance
- Are supported every step of the way
Interested in joining us? We’d love to hear from you!
