Volunteer stories: Fliss and Comet
Meet Fliss and her loyal companion Comet. They are two of the newest volunteers at Healthwatch North Yorkshire. Together, they are helping spread the word about how people can share their experiences of NHS healthcare and social care and make them count.
“I am really excited to start this volunteering journey. The work Healthwatch does is really important and something I care about greatly.”
A unique team with a big heart
Fliss and Comet visited Scarborough Hospital, where they spent the day chatting with patients, visitors and staff. Their aim was simple but powerful: to let people know that Healthwatch listens to their stories - both the positive and the challenging - and uses that insight to help improve local services.
“Comet brought so much joy to everyone we spoke to. People were drawn in by his friendly nature and then happy to share their thoughts about care.”
Comet’s presence wasn’t just a crowd-pleaser. For many hospital visitors, a friendly dog eased the stress of a long wait or a difficult appointment, opening the door to conversations that might otherwise have been harder to start.
Listening, helping, informing
Volunteers like Fliss don’t just talk — they listen carefully and offer people useful information. During the visit, they pointed people toward resources such as the patient guide to getting the most of GP pppointments and explained how people can share their own experiences with Healthwatch.
“We were in a busy corridor, but so many people stopped to talk. Some shared things that were working well for them; others told us about moments where they felt confused or frustrated. Being able to listen and offer them a way to be heard made the day feel really meaningful.”
Staff at the hospital were equally enthusiastic. They took leaflets up to wards and into outpatient areas so even more people could benefit from the information.
Why it matters
Healthwatch volunteers are more than friendly faces. They are trusted listeners, community connectors and champions for people’s real experiences. By giving people space to talk about what they’ve encountered in health and social care, volunteers help ensure those voices are counted, understood and acted upon.
For Fliss, being involved doesn’t just create connections in the moment. It’s part of a bigger picture.
“Healthwatch advocates for people using health and social care services by listening to their experiences and working to improve care standards. I’m proud to be part of that.”
What Fliss gains from the experience
Volunteering isn’t one-way giving. For Fliss, it’s also an opportunity to grow confidence, build new skills and feel part of something purposeful.
“This role is helping me develop my communication skills, confidence and understanding of how local services work. And doing it with Comet by my side makes every encounter a joy.”
A note about pets in hospital settings
Please note that, in line with infection prevention and control guidance, pets are not normally allowed in hospital settings in order to help keep patients and staff safe.
Assistance and service dogs are welcome, except in exceptional circumstances. These are working dogs who support people with hearing or visual impairment and other access needs.
Comet is associated with an organisation and has appropriate training and behavioural standards. Legally, assistance dogs do not need to be registered with a central body. They must be task trained to support a disability and behave appropriately in public settings.
