Connected Together CIC

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Our Volunteer Handbook

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We want to ensure your volunteering experience with us is an enjoyable and rewarding one. The aim of the handbook is to act as a handy reference and information tool so please take time to read it. It is a lengthy document but one that we believe will be useful in different ways throughout your volunteering time with us.

The volunteer lead’s role is to:

• Find, select, and engage volunteers

• Source and deliver volunteer training

• Support and monitor volunteers and their involvement

• Ensure all legislative regulations concerning volunteers are adhered to

• Maintain links and communicate with all volunteers

• Maintain volunteer records

• Report regularly on volunteering matters to the relevant boards and commissioners

Volunteers Handbook

Unannounced visits to Northampton and Kettering General Hospital’s Accident & Emergency Departments

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Volunteers from Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire visited the Kettering General Hospital (KGH) Accident and Emergency (A&E) department and the Northampton General Hospital A&E department unannounced using their statutory power to conduct Enter and View visits on 31st January 2023.

The hospitals were informed prior to the visits that they would be taking place and by whom but did not know the date or time of the visit before it happened.

The volunteers spoke to patients at both hospitals about their experiences of the service, from the parking and waiting times, to the care they were provided.

The reports, written by our volunteers, are a snapshot of each hospital’s A&E department on the day, along with the team’s recommendations to improve the patient experience locally. It is not a comment on the situation nationally, Government policy or the need for additional resources in Emergency Departments across the country.

Read our KGH reportDownload
Read our NGH reportDownload

Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire publishes report on Young People’s views on Health and Wellbeing in East Northamptonshire

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Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire recently gathered the views of young people aged 11–19-year-olds living in East Northamptonshire using a short survey. The survey asked about young people’s physical health, lifestyle, emotional health, and how they manage difficult emotions.

The young people provided important information about services and how they believe that they could help them to cope with anxiety and other issues. Many of the respondents commented on what they feel would work for them and how they would like to receive health and wellbeing services in the area.

This information received will help inform and shape services in East Northamptonshire to better care for young people’s health and wellbeing.

To read the reportDownload

Vacancy for the Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Projects and Engagement Officer

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Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire is the consumer champion for everyone who uses, or has an interest, in local health and social care services in Northamptonshire.

They are looking to recruit a Healthwatch Projects and Engagement Officer, who can work with and support the Manager, Chair, Advisory Board and volunteers to deliver the statutory duties of a local Healthwatch.

The post holder will be instrumental in helping Healthwatch seek and champion the views and needs of the public, working with the local health and care sector to ensure that service design and delivery meet these needs. 

It is an opportunity to have a varied role that makes a difference, working with a dynamic team developing links with key stakeholders in health, social care and the voluntary sector.

They will also lead on public and community engagement, support Young Healthwatch and with the rest of the team provide information to the public.

The post is for between 25 – 37 hours per week and the starting salary is £24,000 pro rata.

For more information please visit the Healthwatch North and Northamptonshire website (www.healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk) to download a copy of the application pack. If you require an application pack to be sent to you, please call 0300 002 0010. The closing date for applications will be Friday 24th March.

If you would like to speak to someone about this post please contact Kate Holt, CEO, Connected Together CIC on 0300 002 0010 kateholt@connectedtogether.co.uk

Healthwatch Rutland’s contract has been renewed

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Rutland County Council awarded the contract to Connected Together Community Interest Company in April 2018 for providing Healthwatch services in Rutland. After the initial three years an extension was applied to the contract to 31 March 2023. We are now pleased to announce that Rutland County Council have extended Healthwatch Rutland’s contract with Connected Together until 31 March 2024.

This renewal is a reflection of the hard work 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 that their needs are met.

Dr Janet Underwood PhD, chair of Healthwatch Rutland said:

“I am delighted that Rutland County Council has extended the Healthwatch Rutland contract until March 2024 and thank all concerned for their hard work and support. I also thank all those people in Rutland who tell us about their experiences, hopes and needs of our health and care services.

Our team reflects this feedback to commissioners and providers of care both locally across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and beyond, to neighbouring Integrated Health Care Systems. As a result, we are now seeing more care moving closer to home in Rutland, including major refurbishments at Rutland Memorial Hospital and plans to have a mobile MRI scanning facility here in the county.

We have a lot more work to do but we will continue to strive for the best possible health and care outcomes for Rutland.”

Vacancy for the Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire Officer role

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We are looking for someone to join our team who will support Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire’s work to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for adults, children and young people by engaging with the public, communities and local health and care organisations. They will be responsible for gathering feedback from the public about their experiences of health and care, signposting individuals to the appropriate services, and supporting Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire’s volunteers, including Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire.

Please find the full job description and application form below. The closing date for applications is November 30th 2022.

If you would like to talk to someone about the role please contact Kate Holt, CEO, on: 0300 002 0010.

Please submit applications to: enquiries@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk

Job description
Application form