Your first Healthwatch Lancashire e-newsletter of 2024 is here!
Engagement has ramped up since the Christmas break and the team are planning for the year ahead. This means there are plenty of opportunities for you to be involved, from volunteering with us to getting involved in our projects.
This month we have engaged with patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, spoke to young people about sexual health services and continued to collect experiences of BSL users when accessing health and social care services. All whilst educating UCLan medical students on the issues faced by different communities in Lancashire. It's certainly been a busy one!
This month's e-newsletter updates you about our work with Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, our volunteering opportunities, the amazing work done by SeeAbility and how you can be involved in our upcoming carers project.
Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership
In addition to our core functions, we are now supporting four Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships (MNVP) across Lancashire and South Cumbria. The role of an MNVP is to work with parents, families, healthcare professionals, commissioners and charities to help shape and improve maternity and neonatal services.
If you have a recent maternity or neonatal experience, one of our four MNVP Leads would love to hear from you!
Volunteering opportunities!
We have a range of volunteering roles available!
Whether you want to be out and about in the community collecting feedback from members of the public, or you would prefer to conduct research from the comfort of your own home, we are flexible in the opportunities we offer.
Fancy being a part of the Healthwatch Lancashire family?
SeeAbility
We recently met with SeeAbility North West and learnt all about their new initiative 'East Eye Care' Pathway, which aims to provide better eye care for those with autism or a learning disability.
This includes providing participating local high street opticians with extra support, training and resources to confidently provide eye tests for the community.
Find out more
Upcoming project: Who can help me?
In the next couple of months we will be launching our latest project exploring the experiences of carers of those living with dementia and other neurological disorders.
We are looking for carers or family members who would like to be involved in a steering group, to help steer the focus of the project and provide invaluable lived experience.
Find out more
"Every voice counts when it comes to shaping the future of services and improving them"
Share your experiences of accessing local health and care services by visiting our online Feedback Centre.
Meet the team
Louise - Engagement Officer
'Hi, I am Louise and I am looking forward to getting the New Year off to a great start with our upcoming project. We will be investigating the experiences of carers of people living with dementia and other neurological disorders. This is an area I am particularly passionate about as I was a carer for my late father who had Picks Disease; a rare form of dementia. Everything was a constant battle so I am passionate about influencing changes for carers.'