Healthwatch Stockton Manager, Natasha, shares her reflections on 2024, the changes, challenges and the successes that has happened over the last 12 months.
As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to share with you my reflections of progress made, challenges encountered and the strength and commitment of everyone to work together to improve the wellbeing of our communities, families and individuals.
This year began with our annual event, bringing people together to help to shape our work plan for the coming year, putting the voice of the public at the heart of the work of Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees.
We were told young people and migrant health should be a focus. We spent the first half of the year building robust and trusted relationships to give people the opportunity to share with us what was important to them and help to determine next steps.
Communication, lack of joined up services, and being unsure where to go for help, support or advice were key issues shared within these communities.
Using the information shared with us, we developed the Health and Care Ambassador Programme, a programme developed to help to bring services, advice and information to the heart of the communities that need them. Helping to bridge a gap between services and service users.
The success of the launch of the programme was immediately evident, senior professionals and service providers came together to discuss ways of building on the learning with a commitment to working together, acknowledging that we need to do things differently. Only by working together can we truly make a difference to the people we support.
Our work around ADHD was recognised by Healthwatch England and has subsequently, with the support of our colleagues from other areas been highlighted nationally as a focus for service improvement.
I was privileged to be able to share the voice of many people who spoke to us at the National Healthwatch Conference, demonstrating the differences we can make by working together and ensuring we continue to champion the voices of the people who use health and care services.
I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Larissa Bennett, whose drive, commitment and passion is unwavering. Larissa will be continuing on her journey to support others as she undertakes advocacy training with an overall aim of developing a much needed peer support group in the area.
During the month of October 2024 Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees transferred provider to People First Advocacy Service, we have been welcomed and supported throughout our transition and look forward to working closely with the advocates as we seek to ensure people have access to services that can support them.
I would also like to thank the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees Board and volunteers, whose dedication and support has ensured that we are able to reach as many people as possible, providing invaluable advice, guidance and representation across the borough. We would not be able to achieve all we have without the commitment of amazing people volunteering their time and expertise to help others.
Lastly I want to personally thank the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees team. I am proud to work alongside these talented individuals whose values go above and beyond, helping people day in day out to improve their health and wellbeing.
Sending thoughts to you all as we approach the year end, lets look forward to changes ahead. Because together we can make a difference.
Natasha.
“People First are proud to welcome Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees to our Healthwatch family. Independent from, but a core part of, the local health and social care system, the team has done some brilliant work to elevate key issues and challenges local people face and we look forward to building on this further in 2025.”
Lindsay Graham, Advocacy and Healthwatch Director at People First