Health and Social Care Research Volunteer

Purpose of the role

To help improve local health and social care services by:

• Participating in project teams to plan and deliver excellent research, so we hear voices of local people, deepen understanding of the issues and make recommendations for change.
• Promoting and raising awareness of Healthwatch North Tyneside activities and our role.

What you might be doing

• Going into services to observe, and to listen to people’s views and experiences.
• Talking with people on the telephone about their experience of local health and care services.
• Contributing to research planning and analysis.
• Taking notes and drafting reports.
• Providing information on local services and where appropriate signposting to these organisations.
• Attending briefings and volunteer meetings.
• Working with the team to identify what’s working and what needs improving.
• Promoting Healthwatch North Tyneside at community venues and different events, taking service feedback and reporting back to the staff team. 

What's in it for you

• Opportunity to improve local health and care services.
• You will receive a full induction to give you the necessary information to perform your volunteer role. You will also receive training in safeguarding, health and safety, dementia, and equality and diversity.
• We will provide you with a reference after 30 hours of volunteering with us, together with certificates for any training you do with us.
• Having new experiences and meeting new people.
• Having the satisfaction of knowing that you are giving back to your community.
• Opportunities to practice or learn new skills.
• Developing your confidence
• Feeling valued and being part of a team.
• Enhancing your curriculum vitae (CV). 
  

Skills

You will need to be:

• Confident at talking with, and listening to, people.
• Organised.
• Able to write clear notes.
• Professional and have a commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Willing to participate in one to one and group support sessions. 

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Basic IT skills – e-mail and Microsoft word.
• Experience of gathering information from people through interviews or similar conversation with individuals or groups is an advantage.
• An interest in health and social care services is essential.
• Willingness to learn though induction, ongoing training and peer support. 

Attitudes and values

• Commitment and enthusiasm.
• Interest in helping people to have their voices heard.
• Be non-judgmental, respectful, polite and sensitive when speaking and listening to people.
• Be committed to equal opportunities.

Additional information

• You will need to agree to follow the Healthwatch North Tyneside Policies and Procedures.
• The volunteer role is dependent on a satisfactory DBS check. This does not mean that having a criminal record will automatically prevent you from volunteering with us.