Connected Together CIC

First for Community Engagement

News

Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Annual Work Plan 2024-2025

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The Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire annual work plan helps provide commissioners and key stakeholders with an overview of planned activity for the next 12 months.

It is also a useful tool for review and evaluation. Each year in February, Healthwatch staff and volunteers review the previous year’s work and set the next year’s work based on information and intelligence gathered throughout the year along with other partner and stakeholder key priorities. Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire’s strategic priorities are also revisited and reviewed at the same time to ensure they are aligned with our Vision and Values.

All our work is delivered within a very tight budget, which currently stands at £195k per annum to cover staff, volunteers and operational costs.

To enable us to continue to provide a quality service with an experienced staff team we also offer bespoke commissioned work to key stakeholders and partners to bring in additional income throughout the year to support the Healthwatch work.

HWNW-2024-2025-Work-PlanDownload

Announcement of Beacon membership of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse

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We, along with Healthwatch Rutland and Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire, are delighted to announce its Beacon membership of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), a leading business network that supports employers to take action on domestic abuse.

The EIDA Beacon programme brings together businesses that have committed to tackling domestic abuse.  EIDA Beacons work collaboratively to raise awareness and to share learnings on how best to support employees and their families impacted by domestic abuse. ​EIDA works with employers to help them implement effective internal policies on domestic abuse, as well as providing awareness and signposting to up-to-date resources.

We are committed to raising awareness of the terrible impact of domestic abuse, to supporting its employees affected by domestic abuse, as well as to playing a leading role in encouraging and inspiring more employers to take action. 

Healthwatch Rutland Contract News

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The Healthwatch Rutland contract has been extended to March 31, 2025

Connected Together Community Interest Company has held the Healthwatch Rutland contract for providing Healthwatch services in Rutland since 2018. We are now pleased to announce that Rutland County Council have extended Healthwatch Rutland’s contract with Connected Together until 31 March 2025.

This renewal reflects the hard work and team efforts of Board Members, volunteers and staff. Healthwatch Rutland will continue to ensure that the health and social care experiences of Rutland people are sought out and heard, and used by commissioners and providers to improve services.

Kate Holt, CEO of Connected Together CIC said:

“We are really delighted to be able to continue supporting Healthwatch Rutland staff and volunteers for another year to ensure that the voice of local people remains heard on all matters to do with health and social care in Rutland”

Young Healthwatch Autism and ADHD Survey

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Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire are seeking the views of 11-18 year olds recently diagnosed or waiting for an assessment for ADHD or Autism, as well as their parents and carers.

We have created 2 surveys one for 11-18 year olds in the process of an Autism or ADHD assessment and one for the parents/carers of these young people. 

This piece of work is to feed in to a larger piece of work that Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) are doing around support for people who are waiting for services, appointments and diagnosis of Autism and ADHD in Northamptonshire. It is a continuation of work previously carried out by Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire and the ICB.

The survey will close on the 19th of February and can be accessed below.

Young people
Parents and Carers

We are recruiting for a Healthwatch Officer

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Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire are recruiting a Healthwatch Officer to join their team.

Between 28-35 hours – Salary: £25,000 per annum (or pro rata according to hours)

This is a community and office-based role, encompassing both face-to-face community engagement and outreach elements, alongside office-based aspects. You will be helping to carry out Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire’s work to improve health and well-being outcomes for adults, children and young people by engaging with the public, communities and local health and care organisations.

The role will include:

  • Gathering feedback from the public about their experiences of health and care and signposting individuals to support.
  • Supporting Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire’s volunteers and working to recruit new volunteers to our organisation.
  • Being an active presence in the community, engaging with members of the public to help bring awareness to Healthwatch, recruiting new volunteers, and supporting engagement for current projects and priorities.

Click the link below to download the full job description and for a job application, please contact enquiries@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk.

Hiring HW OfficerDownload

Patient Transport Survey

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Healtwatch North and West Northamptonshire have created a Patient Transport Survey after receiving reports from members of the public who have made us aware of the difficulties experienced in attending medical appointments.

Many service users have told us that they have no means of attending their appointments by private transportation and are unable to finance taxis or other paid-for options. Many struggle with the cost of transport, especially when public transportation is not easily accessible in more rural areas. They also told us that often they need to take multiple public transport routes due to a lack of direct routes to health service providers.

Healthwatch has created a Northamptonshire patient transport survey to gather more information about the community’s experiences with accessing and using patient transport services. We will then send our findings to commissioners and providers to help shape and improve services. 

Participate in the survey