We can hardly believe that we are in April already! We have been incredibly busy at Healthwatch Cumberland.
Below, you can find out what we have been up to this month.
Healthwatch Cumberland one year on...
With the start of a new Healthwatch year, we at Healthwatch Cumberland wanted to take a moment to reflect on our incredible first year, by looking back at all the amazing work we have supported, been involved in and done. In total, this year we have engaged with over 9000 people in our area, championing the views people have shared with us about health and care services.
Behind the Addiction: Project Launch
Healthwatch Cumberland have started a project looking at the impact of addiction on the individual, their loved ones, and their community. Whether you are actively seeking support or still struggling, we are wanting to give you a chance to have your story heard. Using your invaluable experience to help improve service provision, reducing the barriers to accessing services whilst changing the stigma attached to the ripple effects caused by addiction.
Find out how to get involved here.
Healthwatch women’s health project
Healthwatch Cumberland were privileged to attend the annual PRIDE celebration in Carlisle which sees all the colours of the rainbow gathered in unity and inclusivity.
“The Healthwatch stall was full of energy with a mixture of serious signposting and silly sparkle, with the glow up station in full swing alongside our wheel of fortune, where we asked you to sign up to our newsletter for a spin to win – everyone was a winner this day!”
Find out more
Thank you Archdeacon Richard Pratt
At the West Cumbrian Community Forum in March, we said a fond farewell to Archdeacon Richard Pratt who is retiring and stepping down from the independent chair of the Community Forums.
For over nine years Richard has shown unwavering commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space for conversations with local communities across North Cumbria and the health and care system.
‘Thank you’ just doesn’t feel enough. We wish Richard all the best in his much-deserved retirement.
Read more about the community forums here
This week, we sat down with one of our longstanding volunteers, Edward Bebbington to hear about his motivations for volunteering with us at Healthwatch Cumberland and why he thinks the service is important. Edward gives his time by helping out at our public engagement events. He has lived with macular degeneration for many years and uses his own experience of a visual impairment to help others, teaching a technique called eccentric viewing.