Volunteer with us
Whether you have a few hours to spare or you are looking for a regular commitment, if you want to make a difference, learn new skills or meet new people, we've got a volunteering role to suit.
Local Healthwatch Volunteer
Our Local Volunteers are the voice of Healthwatch Dorset and people in the community. You can support us by talking to people, gathering opinions about local health and care services (good or bad) and spreading the word about the ways we can help people. You can also get training and support to act as an ambassador for us at events and meetings, making sure our views and the views of local people are heard and taken seriously.
This is a perfect role for a friendly, approachable and compassionate person who enjoys connecting with people.
Authorised Enter and View Volunteer
Healthwatch Dorset has a statutory power that allows us to Enter and View publicly funded health and care premises to speak to people about their experiences. These visits are usually announced in advance but they can also can be unannounced if we hear things are not going well. You can help us conduct these visits and spend time talking to patients, carers and relatives as well as helping us report back on our findings.
This is a rewarding and specialist volunteering role for a confident and compassionate person who enjoys connecting with people. To take on this role you will be required to undertake safeguarding training and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Healthwatch Project Volunteer
Our Project Volunteers help us to deliver important health and care projects which benefit people in Dorset. As a Project Volunteer you can help us compile research and feedback from members of the public. You can also help us organise health and social care events and consultations or support us with day-to-day administration work. You might also like to be involved with specific projects which are important you.
Healthwatch Associate
If you are interested in a more informal volunteering role you might like to become a Healthwatch Associate. Associates are interested in our work and like to be kept up-to-date with information about our events and activities as well as taking part in our surveys and consultations. You can also be part of our Readers Panel which involves looking at leaflets and documents for various health and care agencies and making suggestions on how they can be improved.
If you aren’t sure which volunteering role is right for you, becoming a Healthwatch Associate will give you a taste of our work so you can decide how you would like to get more involved in the future.
Healthwatch Local Board member
Local Board members oversee and contribute to our work programme and play a crucial role in monitoring its delivery. They also play a part supporting us to adhere to our principles, purpose and vision and ensure we operate in a moral and ethical way.
We’re looking for local people with a passionate interest in helping the local community shape the way their health and social care services are run. Although not essential, if you have knowledge or experience in social care, children and young people, mental health, or equalities and diversity, this would be beneficial.
