Connected Together CIC

First for Community Engagement

Recent Projects

Here are some examples of recent community engagement programmes we have been contracted to deliver.

Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Carers’ Voice want to know your experiences of caring during the coronavirus pandemic

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During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic there have been many changes to health, care and support services, which will have affected those who provide informal (unpaid) care to family and friends. Healthwatch Northamptonshire, Carers’ Voice Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Carers would like to know about your experiences.

When Healthwatch Northamptonshire asked people to tell them about their experiences of health and care services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic earlier in 2020, they became aware of some of the extra difficulties and challenges faced by those who provide unpaid or informal care for their loved ones.

Together with Northamptonshire Carers and Carers’ Voice Northamptonshire, Healthwatch Northamptonshire would like to find out more about the experiences of those who have been providing unpaid care since March 2020.

There are two surveys, one for those age 18 and over (anyone younger than 18 can answer this longer survey if they wish) and one for young people age 11 to 17.

Go to the survey for those age 18 and over
Go to the survey for 11-17-year-olds

The findings of these surveys will be shared with the service providers and planners to inform their work and help them to continue to deliver good quality care and support carers at this time.

These surveys are intended for unpaid carers (sometimes referred to as ‘informal’ or ‘family’ carers). This means someone who provides unpaid care or support for a relative, friend or neighbour. This person can be an adult or child and the care is as a result of additional needs due to a disability, mental illness or a long term health condition. This excludes people providing care as part of paid work – for example working in a care home, hospital or care agency but does include people providing care for a loved one who is in receipt of Carers Allowance or a Direct Payment.

If you need help completing the survey, would like to complete it over the phone, have any questions or would like to tell Healthwatch Northamptonshire about anything not covered by this survey, please contact them here.

They will also be holding focus groups or are happy to phone you to discuss your experiences. If this is something you are interested in, please sign up here.

Please do share this survey with any unpaid carers or groups you know and if a group you work with would like to share more feedback, do get in touch.

This survey will close on 31 January 2021.

Northamptonshire Adult Social Services Independent Service User Survey

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Last year Northamptonshire County Council commissioned Healthwatch Northamptonshire to find out what changes are needed in the way they provide adult social care. The county council asked to carry the out survey which included looking at people’s experiences of contacting adult social services and getting help, their experiences of the support they received as well as their overall satisfaction with that support.

[Read more…] about Northamptonshire Adult Social Services Independent Service User Survey

Young people’s experiences of Personal, Social, Health and Education in Northamptonshire

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Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire was commissioned by Public Health Northamptonshire to carry out a review of Personal, Social, Health and Education (PSHE) in Northamptonshire schools. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire designed a survey that was shared throughout the county’s schools, youth clubs and other youth services to find out young people’s experiences of PSHE lessons. The survey covered how useful the lessons were, the topics that had been taught and what they wanted to learn more about.

[Read more…] about Young people’s experiences of Personal, Social, Health and Education in Northamptonshire

Health and social care needs of the Armed Forces community in Rutland, Harborough and South Kesteven – New report published

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A report of the views and experiences of people with a connection to the British Armed Forces living or stationed in Rutland, Harborough or South Kesteven has now been published.

Members of the Armed Forces community (including people serving in the Armed Forces as regulars or reservists, volunteers, ex-forces members (veterans) and family members of past and present service personnel) were asked to tell us more about themselves and their health and social care experiences and needs. Over 700 people responded to a survey developed by Rutland County Council, Harborough District Council, South Kesteven District Council and local Healthwatch.

[Read more…] about Health and social care needs of the Armed Forces community in Rutland, Harborough and South Kesteven – New report published

Joint Community Engagement Event – 2 May 2019

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To inform future changes in the health and care system in the county, Connected Together CIC, Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership (NHCP), held a successful community engagement event with around 90 attendees, including members of the public and health and care professionals.

The event, at the Park Inn in Northampton on Thursday 2 May, gave local people the opportunity to share their views on health and care services and what can be done to ensure quality, integrated services that meet local needs and are fit for the future.

Host David Jones, Chair of Healthwatch Northamptonshire, began the day by introducing presentations from key local health and care leaders. They described how organisations are working in partnership towards a positive lifetime of health, wellbeing and care in our community, and explained why the NHS Long Term Plan must inform our planning at local level.

[Read more…] about Joint Community Engagement Event – 2 May 2019