Community Engagement & Outreach Volunteer
Background Information
Healthwatch Cornwall [HC] is a health and social care champion. If people use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about their experiences.
We have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to people’s feedback and improve standards of care.
We also help people to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice about support and services linked to health and care.
Role summary
Your role as a volunteer is to take the voice of Healthwatch Cornwall [HC] into your local community and help gather feedback from the public on health and social care services in Cornwall. Activities may be online, over the phone or in-person depending on the project.
Main volunteer activities
To volunteer as a Healthwatch Cornwall Community Engagement & Outreach Volunteer you should be willing to support staff to:
- Promote the work of Healthwatch Cornwall positively and encourage people to feedback their experiences of health and social care services
- Write down detailed stories from patients
- Represent Healthwatch Cornwall at its own events or other external events run by other organisations
- Identify community groups the team can connect with
- Help the outreach team promote Healthwatch with local health and social care services in Cornwall
- Be able to attend occasional meetings, feedback and training sessions
- Provide regular feedback to Healthwatch Cornwall.
What will you get out of it?
We understand that everyone has different motivations for volunteering but here are some of the possible benefits for getting involved.
- Have an impact on the health and social care services available in Cornwall
- Have a voice on the issues affecting health and social care services for people in your community
- Gain experience and build your CV
- Build your confidence and communication skills
- Be a part of a great group of volunteers and have fun!
Personal Qualities and Skills
We are looking for someone who:
- Has good listening skills
- Has empathy and can identify with other people’s feelings
- Is friendly and approachable
- Is non-discriminatory, valuing and respecting of others
- Excellent writing skills and able to write at speed while people talk
- Will deal with confidential information sensitively and appropriately
- Shares information, ideas and learning with the team
- Is committed to and adheres to our Healthwatch values, policies and procedures
- Is willing to undertake training and develop knowledge and understanding.
Training and Development
Healthwatch Cornwall will support you to fulfil and feel confident in the role of Engagement & Outreach Volunteer by providing:
- Healthwatch Cornwall in-house training
- Relevant resources
- On-going support/liaison with the Volunteer Development Officer and wider team.
Location
This role will be mainly community based. However, it does include opportunities to support with telephone feedback, Facebook live events, and desk base tasks.
Healthwatch Cornwall will reimburse reasonable travelling expenses – please see separate Volunteer Expenses Policy for further details.
Recruitment Method
Application form, Informal Interview, Reference, DBS check, Induction, Trial Period.
All these arrangements are binding in honour only and not intended to be legally binding as this is a voluntary role. The involvement of all parties is based on good will and trust.
Contact Information
Rhiannon Pring - Volunteer Development Officer
Email: rhiannon.pring@healthwatchcornwall.co.uk
Phone: 01872 273501
Address: 6 Walsingham Place, Truro TR1 2RP
Volunteers are required to have an account on the website to complete this form.
If you've not created a volunteer account, please create one here.
Walsingham Place
Truro
TR1 2RP
United Kingdom