Healthwatch Officer (Engagement) - 20 hours per week

at  the advocacy people

Are you passionate about making a difference to how health and social care services are delivered to local people? Are you interested in a varied role where your input matters with an employer who is committed to flexible working?

Healthwatch is the local voice for the people of Wokingham Borough when it comes to NHS and social care. We do three main things:

• We capture the views of local people on their experiences of using local services and use this to push NHS organisations, the Council and other publicly funded health and social care organisations to make improvements – or to celebrate where things are working well.
• We provide information and advice about local services to help people get the support they need.
• We challenge NHS and social care providers to make things better.

In Wokingham Borough, the local Healthwatch are hosted by The Advocacy People who would be your employer. The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to participate in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and provide information which helps people make informed decisions.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

We’re looking for a passionate and innovative communicator to join our small and friendly team.
With strong interpersonal, verbal, and written skills, as Healthwatch Officer you’ll create opportunities to engage digitally and face-to-face with a wide range of people on health and care issues.
You’ll need to build positive relationships with local residents, reaching those who are seldom heard or marginalised, and professionals from the health, social care and voluntary sectors.
Good teamwork is essential: we are looking for someone who is flexible and confident, who can speak to people from all parts of the community, and who will be ready to support the team in the different facets of its work, such as the recruitment, training and deployment of volunteers. This may include occasional travel to Reading as needed.
You may or may not have direct experience of this in your own life, or in another role, or have relevant qualifications but this isn’t a problem as we can offer training. We’re looking for people who are creative, flexible and organised, able to balance direct work with people with important administrative tasks.
As this role is predominantly home based, with travel mainly in Wokingham Borough but at times also in Reading, we need you to have a stable home broadband service and a reliable mobile phone coverage as well as flexibility with working hours. We also need you to have a full driving licence and access to your own transport.
You will be based ideally within the Reading/Wokingham area. If living out of the county, you will only be reimbursed expenses from the border.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Anyone joining our team is subject to The Advocacy People’s Safer Recruitment pre-appointment checks. Applicants invited to interview will need to bring evidence (photographic where possible) of their right to work in the UK and new employee start dates will only be confirmed once other mandatory checks, including the appropriate DBS clearance and 2 satisfactory references, one of which will need to be from your most recent or current employer, have been received.
If you’d like to know more, the full job description and information about how to apply can be found on our website here.
We really look forward to hearing from you!
Closing Date: 9am Monday 2nd December 2024
Interview Date: 11th December 2024
Interview venue: Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham RG40 2YF
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Alice Kunjappy-Clifton, Lead Officer, on 0118 418 1418 or email: alice.kunjappyclifton@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk.
The Advocacy People and Healthwatch share core values which are all about people’s voices: empowering people to speak up; amplifying service user voices; enabling people to take part in, and influence, decision-making about health and social care; and providing information which helps people make informed decisions. As an independent charity grounded in Human Rights principles, we take pride in being one of the UK’s foremost providers of advocacy and Healthwatch services. We’re on a mission to make sure that when it truly matters, everyone’s voice counts. Together, we support those who often feel sidelined, helping them shape decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Come and be a part of our welcoming community, where your voice matters and your contributions make a real difference.
By embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we can build a stronger, more resilient organisation and work together to create a more just and equitable society. We invite all members of our community to join us in this important journey toward positive change.”
Registered charity no.: 1080679.
NB: The Advocacy People reserves the right to bring forward the closing date if it believes sufficient applications are received to make an appointment

Please refer the Job description for details