Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer Roles Available:

• Engagement Work: As a Healthwatch volunteer, you’ll engage with the community 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: As a volunteer, you’ll participate in Enter & View visits, where you’ll observe NHS services like hospitals and care homes. 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 improve care. Volunteers play a key role in shaping local health services through their contributions.
• Healthwatch Meetings: As part of this role, you’ll attend key Healthwatch meetings and take detailed notes. You’ll be responsible for sharing these notes with the wider Healthwatch team, helping to keep everyone informed about the latest developments. This role helps ensure that we remain connected and that all voices are heard in our planning and discussions.
• Report Writing & Editing:  Volunteers who enjoy writing can help us draft, edit, and finalise reports based on the feedback we gather. These reports are essential in presenting findings to health and social care providers, the public, and key decision-makers. You’ll play a pivotal role in making sure our reports are well-researched and professional.
• Information & Signposting: When conducting engagement work, you’ll also play a crucial role in helping people find the information they need about local health services. You’ll help to connect them with the right care and support, ensuring they are signposted to the services they require.
• Digital Communications & Social Media: Help us spread 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 raising the visibility of Healthwatch 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 people remotely, gathering their feedback on health services and providing them with information. This is a flexible role that lets you volunteer from wherever you are.
• Research & Analysis: In this role, you’ll delve into local health services, conducting research to identify trends and challenges. Your research will inform the reports we create and ensure that we are advocating for the changes that matter most to our community.
• Translator Role: If you’re fluent in languages such as Arabic, your skills are crucial 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: Become a part of our Advisory Board and play a key role in guiding the direction of Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea. As a board member, you’ll help review and approve projects, ensuring that our initiatives are focused on the needs of the community. This is a great opportunity to contribute to high-level decision-making and leadership.

Eligibility to Volunteer:

To volunteer with Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea, you must meet the following requirements:

- Be 18 years or older.

- Live or work within Kensington & Chelsea.

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

Why Volunteer with Us?

There are many benefits to volunteering with Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea:

-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 Kensington & Chelsea, 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.