Four charities join forces to give people a voice in how health and social care services are run

A new initiative has been launched to encourage more people to become involved in the shaping of health and social care issues in their own communities.

Healthwatch-Communities Involved has been created by four leading UK charities: Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), Regional Voices and National Voices.

The charities are inviting local people, community groups and volunteers to declare their support and interest by signing up online to join together with other groups and individuals across England.

From 1 April 2013 the local consumer champion Healthwatch will have powers to hold local services to account, with a member of each Healthwatch having a seat on the health and wellbeing board in every city and county council across the country. This will give people a more active say in the local decision making process.

Healthwatch-Communities Involved aims to increase involvement in Healthwatch and make it easier for people from all backgrounds and interests to hold their services to account.

The charities will connect people with local groups so they can be kept informed and invite people to get involved with the local Healthwatch activities in their area.

Oonagh Aitken, CSV director of Social Action and Volunteering said: “Our organisations welcome the opportunity to work in partnership on such a fundamental issue – the role that local people can play in shaping their services.

“There is so much potential for people to make a difference, such as getting involved in the new local Healthwatch groups, as members of their hospital trust or through their GPs.”

Ms Aitken continued: “The changes in the health and care system must be driven by the needs and preferences of local people. So to help people get involved we will help them to get their voices heard by the new organisations in charge of our health and social care services.”

Over the next three months, Healthwatch-Communities Involved will host a series of free workshops and training sessions across England. These events will inspire and give people the skills and knowledge to build their confidence to get involved in a way that best suits them.

For more information please visit www.healthwatch-ci.co.uk