Healthwatch Hampshire Ambassador

Would you like to make a difference by helping people have the opportunity to speak up and improve health and social care services in your local community? Then this role is for you!

Healthwatch Hampshire are the independent local champion for people who use health and social care services. We're here to make sure that the organisations that plan and run services including the NHS and Hampshire County Council put local people at the heart of care. We aim to improve local health and social care services for people who use them today and to shape them for anyone who might need them in the future. 

We can offer:-

• A full induction and free on-going training either delivered by in-house members of the team or sometimes by external partners
• Buddying system with opportunities to shadow for new volunteers
• A dedicated member of staff as a main point of contact
• Volunteer meetings, workshops and development sessions
• Reimbursement of all agreed expenses (mileage paid at 45p per mile)
• Free DBS check if relevant to the role

This is a varied role but tasks may include:-

• Promoting Heatlhwatch Hampshire HWH and its role within your local community
• Joining us on our stand as part of our Listening Tours visiting local hospitals/GPs and Community based services
• Encouraging people to give feedback and share their experiences (good or bad) of local health and social care services.
• Attending meetings on behalf of HWH to present views or findings gathered by the HWH Team
• Carrying out Mystery Shopper surveys by telephone or face to face
• Being a member of our HWH Citizens Panel: responding to online surveys, consultations and feedback requests
• Carrying our research tasks on specific projects such as maternity services or mental health) to assist our projects lead

Skills

This role is open to anyone who is a resident in Hampshire with the following qualities and abilities:-

• Have good listening and communication skills
• Be able to encourage people to speak up about their views and experiences in a constructive way
• Be non-judgemental and respectful of others
• Be impartial, empathetic and show an ability to consider everyone's perspective
• Be tactful and diplomatic in sensitive situations
• Be reliable and flexible with your approach
• Have an understanding of the role of Healthwatch Hampshire
• Be committed and enthusiastic

Other Information

• Whilst there is no minimum requirement of hours, each role and task will require a level of commitment and reliability which will be discussed and agreed before volunteering starts
• Each role is subject to a 3-month probationary period and Ambassadors are appointed for a duration of 12 months at a time.

Benefits of Volunteering for Healthwatch Hampshire

• Develop your knowledge in health and social care for your future career!
• Volunteering with Healthwatch Hampshire can help you develop skills, gain experience and make a difference to your community.