Volunteering with Healthwatch North Yorkshire
We’re always looking to welcome new faces of all ages and backgrounds from across the county. One of our newest recruits is Jessica Tate, 18, from Norton, who had applied to support us as a social media volunteer. Here she explains her path to volunteering and what attracted her to working with Healthwatch North Yorkshire and supporting people using local services.
I am a full-time student studying Public Services. As part of my college course we have to complete relevant volunteering. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity of completing my volunteering with Healthwatch North Yorkshire. I have a part- time job to which I can apply my skills from Healthwatch North Yorkshire.
Being a volunteer with Healthwatch is extremely rewarding and I have learnt many new skills – working in a professional environment, having the confidence to speak in front of large groups, time-management skills, teamwork, the ability to work alongside other people and a good work ethic. The skills will benefit me in the future because I have learnt how to deal with members of the community in a professional way, which is extremely important in any public service.
I chose Healthwatch North Yorkshire because I knew I wanted to improve my confidence and I wanted to learn how to speak to members of the public in a professional manner. It will help me in whatever career path I want to take, which is extremely important because the skills I have learnt will last me a lifetime. Healthwatch North Yorkshire has helped me gain and improve skills that are useful in many ways.
My experience at Healthwatch North Yorkshire has been something that I will be able to take with me in whatever path I take.
I have also experienced many different settings and it has been extremely enjoyable volunteering with HWNY.
Taking part in listening to other people’s experiences and being able to make a change for the better makes this volunteering opportunity extremely rewarding.
Here to help
During the coronavirus outbreak, Healthwatch North Yorkshire is continuing to help local people to find the right information and support at the right time. The team are keeping the website updated with a wide range of useful information on topics such as looking after your mental health during the outbreak, and information for people with different conditions. Although the team are working from home, they are in touch with people by telephone and email and are signposting people to local and national sources of support.
