"After spending most of my life in and out of hospital, I want to help make a difference and improve services for people."

Healthwatch volunteer

How volunteers help make care better

Our volunteers support us in lots of different ways. They speak to people about their experiences of health and care, help us gather and understand feedback, and visit places where care is provided.

Their contribution helps us understand what is working well, where things could be better and what matters most to people across North Yorkshire.

Our volunteers have:

  • Spoken to people at community groups, events, libraries and other places across North Yorkshire, listening to their experiences and helping make sure they are heard.
  • Supported our farming project focused on men's mental health, helping us promote practical information and support for people working in farming and attending auction marts and agricultural shows across North Yorkshire throughout summer 2026.
  • Visited care and nursing homes as part of our Enter and View work, speaking to residents, relatives and staff about their experiences and highlighting good practice and areas for improvement.
  • Supported our research, including reviewing GP websites from a patient perspective and helping us understand mothers' experiences of community and at-home care after giving birth.
  • Helped people find information and advice and raised awareness of the different ways people can share their experiences with Healthwatch.
  • Used their own skills, knowledge and experiences to bring different perspectives to our work.

 

Meet some of our volunteers

Every volunteer brings something different to Healthwatch. For some, volunteering is an opportunity to continue using skills developed during their career. For others, it is a chance to meet people, learn something new or give something back to their community.

Most importantly, they help us listen.

Wendy – a friendly face and a listening ear

Wendy meets people in libraries, community venues and carers groups and is also part of our Enter and View team. For her, one of the most important parts of volunteering is simply taking the time to listen.

Read Wendy's volunteering story:
https://www.healthwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk/blog/2026-06-02/friendly-face-and-listening-ear-wendys-volunteering-story

Lynn – ensuring every voice is heard

After more than 40 years working in healthcare, Lynn wanted to continue contributing without the pressures of full-time work. She now speaks to people from across our communities and is particularly passionate about making sure people who can sometimes find it harder to be heard have a voice.

Read Lynn's volunteering story:
https://www.healthwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk/blog/2026-06-02/ensuring-every-voice-heard-lynns-volunteering-story

Sheena – from caring for patients to championing local voices

After 40 years working in the NHS, Sheena wasn't ready to stop helping people. She volunteers at Harrogate Hospital, in local libraries, at community events and as part of our Enter and View work.

Read Sheena's volunteering story:
https://www.healthwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk/blog/2026-06-02/caring-patients-championing-local-voices-sheenas-story

Sally – everyone has a story

Sally spends time speaking to people and listening to their experiences. She knows that volunteers might not always see the outcome of an individual conversation straight away, but that every experience contributes to the bigger picture.

Read Sally's volunteering story:
https://www.healthwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk/blog/2026-06-02/everyone-has-story-sallys-volunteering-story

The value of listening

Because of your help we’ve raised awareness of some key issues, and championed change where it’s needed. Take a closer look at the difference we made together in 2023 and 2024.
Report

"My favourite thing about volunteering at Healthwatch North Yorkshire is listening to the people's views and experiences of health and social services, so that we can improve this."