Slowly but surely signs of spring are starting to appear.
The snowdrops and crocuses are starting to flower and the days are getting longer.
Here at Healthwatch Cumbria, we have lots of exciting projects and events coming up. In February’s e-newsletter, you will read about our next Carlisle Community Forum and how you can get involved.
Furthermore, you can read about our two current projects ‘I care, we care’ and ‘Disability Voices’. Both these projects, we want to hear from you and your experiences. Finally, you will meet the latest member of the team, Deborah.
The next Carlisle Community Forum
In a few short weeks, Healthwatch Cumbria will be hosting the Carlisle Community Forum with presentations from leaders in health and care services. We now run individual community forums for Carlisle, West Cumberland and Eden.
Our next forum takes place on Friday 10th March and is open to the public, and will be a hybrid event with some attending online via Zoom and others in-person at the People First Conference Centre on Milbourne Street, Carlisle.
A presentation will be heard on improvements at Carlton Clinic and efforts by NHS leaders to recruit and retain staff at the mental health facility.
We will also be joined by North Cumbria Integrated Care who will report back to the forum on how hospitals and front line NHS staff have coped with winter pressures.
Change. It’s a group effort
One of our current projects is called ‘Disability Voices’. We are wanting to speak to as many people living with, working with or caring for someone with a self-identified disability or long-term health condition.
The goal: to capture what it’s like to live with a disability in Cumbria, the challenges as well as what is going well. We want to hear from you! The direct feedback gained from you will be used to produce a set of recommendations, which will suggest the direction of travel for statutory services and inform local policy.
After all, ‘Change. It’s a group effort’.
I care, we care
In the south of the county and across Millom the Healthwatch Cumbria team are currently listening to the experiences of people who look after loved ones, partners, neighbours friends with their own project ‘I Care’.
Approximately 1 in 6 people are classed as unpaid carers helping loved ones with all aspects of care and support both emotionally, financially and practically within Cumbria. This invaluable support whist being a privilege can also be challenging.
If you would like to share your story, please complete our survey by clicking here.
Deborah – Senior Engagement Officer
“Hi everyone, my name is Deborah and I am new to the Healthwatch Cumbria team. I am delighted to be working with such great people and am looking forward to engaging with the public on a range of issues.
My background is in Community Development and Local Government, so I understand how important it is to include people using services in the shaping and decision making of those services and to ensure people feel listened to”.
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