Volunteers’ Week 2025

For Volunteers’ Week, we want to thank our incredible volunteers for ensuring people in our communities can have their say on on NHS and social care services, leading to improvements for everyone.

Healthwatch England asked volunteers from Local Healthwatch around the country why they enjoy volunteering for Healthwatch, and what difference they feel they are making.

Hear their stories about how they get valuable experience from volunteering.

Allen

Allen has been volunteering for Healthwatch Coventry for about two years, after a hospital stay highlighted to him the need for improvement.

“I enjoy being an Enter and View representative, going into hospitals to better understand any concerns the patients have with the NHS.

“Listening to everyone’s concerns and thoughts around NHS services helps to make a difference. It gives patients and health professionals a voice so hopefully we can move the NHS forward and improve the service we all get.”

Nat

Nat has been volunteering for Healthwatch Wolverhampton for three years. She says “I enjoy helping, supporting and working with other people and I’m a firm believer in doing so for those less fortunate that myself or who

have different challenges in life. There is the opportunity for those who don’t feel heard to be heard, for those who don’t feel seen to be seen – and to give them hope that they are not alone.

Vincent

Vincent has been volunteering for Healthwatch Derbyshire for nearly eight months and has found his experience truly rewarding.

“I decided to volunteer with Healthwatch because I am passionate about healthcare and making a positive impact in my community. As a student, I wanted to gain experience and skills in a real-world setting, and Healthwatch provided the perfect opportunity.”

Colleen

Colleen is one of Healthwatch Bucks newest volunteers and told us “I think Healthwatch is a really interesting organisation. I didn’t know you existed, but I think the whole concept of an independent organisation feeding back to the NHS is vital. Healthwatch does something valuable. I happen to have an academic interest in health inequalities and Healthwatch is in a position to look at them and do something about them.”

Sheeran

Sheeran has been volunteering for Healthwatch Kirklees and Calderdale for five years.

“I feel like I’m part of the team and am made to feel valued. I make a difference to the staff team by helping with their admin. The work Healthwatch does is very important and I’d like to think I contribute to enabling the staff to concentrate on what matters and not getting bogged down in the paperwork.”

Catherine

Catherine has been volunteering for Healthwatch Coventry for five years, after retiring from the health service.

“I enjoy the opportunity to meet and work with so many people from different areas of health and community provision and services within Coventry. Volunteering makes a difference as it helps us to consider what communities really need and help access to health and community services.”