Healthwatch Sefton celebrates their volunteers
Healthwatch Sefton is celebrating Volunteers Week (June 1-7) by joining local organisations in thanking volunteers for their incredible support during the last year.
Diane Blair, manager of the local champion for health and care in Sefton, commented: “As we all know, this has been a difficult time but, without the dedication of our volunteers who stepped up to support their communities, it would have been far more difficult.
“Our board and team cannot thank our volunteers enough for what they have done.”
One of their volunteers, Kevin Halewood, from Crosby, explains why he became a volunteer for the prescription pick up and delivery service that Healthwatch Sefton set up in partnership with Sefton CVS as the country went into lockdown.
“People and residents in my area were very fearful and vulnerable. I heard about the prescription pickup/delivery service and I thought this would be a really useful way of helping vulnerable people who could not go out to get their medicines which would have led to other serious health issues.”
This led to Kevin volunteering with Healthwatch as their Locality Representative for Crosby, listening to people’s feedback on the health and care services they use. “I always wanted to give something back, to be of some help to my local community, and volunteering for Healthwatch means I can do this. It is very rewarding!”
After retiring from a career in the NHS, Anne Major volunteered with Healthwatch to support an organisation promoting the views and opinions of the public during any patient journey.
Anne is the Locality Representative for Central Southport and explained: “Healthwatch Sefton ensures those who commission and run the services needed by us all recognise that without patients and families there would be no services to run.
“I enjoy giving patients and their families a voice so the service providers can hear what they’re saying with the aim of improving that service. I have noticed this has been particularly positive during – and following – the pandemic.”
Both Anne and Kevin shared their volunteering stories with other local Healthwatch during Healthwatch England’s national conference in November last year.
For details on how you can volunteer or become involved with Healthwatch Sefton, go to: healthwatchsefton.co.uk/get-involved/
To find other volunteering opportunities in Sefton, visit the Volunteer Centre Sefton volunteeringsefton.org.uk/
For information on Volunteers Week, visit: volunteersweek.org/