The People's Vote
Every year Healthwatch Somerset (HWS) Board and Staff members gather information about the delivery and efficiency of local health and...
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All posts
Oct 31, 2023
Reaching out: Looking at mental health support for young people in Somerset
We have been working with our young volunteers to investigate how accessible young people’s mental health services are in Somerset, and...
Oct 31, 2023
Improving access to young people’s mental health services
In our latest report, we call on those responsible for young people’s mental health services to improve awareness, availability and...
Sep 3, 2023
What mental health support is available for children and young people?
75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren't getting the help they need. Research from Mind found many...
Apr 26, 2022
Someone I love has died - where can I find support
Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. What is grief? Grief is...
Nov 15, 2021
Young people tell Somerset’s health and social care services: communicate better to care better
In our new report out today, young people are calling on the county’s health and social care services to improve how they communicate –...
Oct 14, 2021
Young Listeners Project Report
Sharing young people’s feedback to improve the health and social care services they use. We recruited volunteers (aged 12-18) from across...
Jul 28, 2021
Our first face-to-face meeting brings focus to the project
By Max Popham, Healthwatch Somerset Youth Engagement Officer As government guidelines on Covid have slowly relaxed, we’ve been waiting to...
May 9, 2021
Mindfulness – what is it, and how can it help our Young Listeners?
By Max Popham, Healthwatch Somerset Youth Engagement Officer This week we had our first session on Mindfulness – a practice that helps...
Apr 28, 2021
Virtual get together and team building for our Young Listeners
By Max Popham, Healthwatch Somerset Youth Engagement Officer On Saturday 24 April, we had our first Young Listeners meeting to kick off...
Apr 25, 2021
New public engagement programme to drive improvements in local health and social care
We have announced the areas we will investigate this year, to make sure that local people’s views and experiences are used to drive and...
Mar 1, 2020
Continence care - what are my options?
If you or a loved one are affected by incontinence, find out where you can go for support. Incontinence is a condition that causes the...
Jan 20, 2020
Join the new virtual quality improvement panel at Dorothy House
Help shape the future of services for people living with a life-limiting illness. Dorothy House Hospice Care is looking for people who...
Jan 1, 2020
Make your voice count – Help shape the future of health and care services in Somerset
We are calling on local people to make sure their voice is heard and reflected in proposals being drawn up by Somerset NHS health and...
Apr 1, 2019
Share your views on NHS services for those with learning disabilities and autism in Somerset
Hundreds of children have learning disabilities and autism in Somerset and now families are being asked to help shape local NHS services...
Mar 1, 2019
Somerset Young Carers report: You said, we listened
Our Manager and a Local Board member attended a Young Carers Forum meeting to hear the views of young carers on the Somerset Young Carers...
Jan 3, 2019
Healthwatch network reveals top priorities for 2019
To mark the start of 2019, Healthwatch England has published its annual network priorities list – setting out the key health and care...
Dec 3, 2018
Helping young people have a voice on health and social care in Somerset
The health and care issues affecting children and young people in Somerset have been the focus of our recent work. Our staff have been...
Nov 30, 2016
Young people’s experience of leaving care
We ran a series of focus groups meeting with young people based at Burton’s Orchard in Taunton. The aims of these groups were to explore...
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