Essex
Ambassador Training Programme
An independent voice for the people of Essex
What is Healthwatch Essex? Our vision is to be an independent voice for the people of Essex, helping to shape and improve local health and social care services. We believe that people’s views and lived experience of health and social care matter. And we have powers in law which mean we can make their voice heard. Our aim is to create a thriving network of trained volunteers who can help us reach out and capture the voice and lived experience of a very large and varied population. Known as ‘Ambassadors’, they are at the heart of Healthwatch Essex.
This is a huge challenge, but we believe that we can make a difference
Our Ambassadors Community Ambassadors link Healthwatch Essex to the citizens of Essex. They are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the organisation, gathering people’s voice and lived experience. This collected lived experience helps us build up a picture of where local services are good and where they need improving. Strategic Ambassadors are the link between Healthwatch Essex and statutory organisations, such as Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Trusts and local authorities. They use the voice gathered by Community Ambassadors to help influence the decisions made by the people who design and deliver health and social care services. All our Ambassadors take part in a rigorous, tailor-made training programme which has been specifically designed so that they can develop the skills and confidence they need to be effective in their roles.
Core Training Programme Our hands-on training programme is delivered by expert trainers as 4 half-day sessions which usually take place over 2 days. There is plenty of opportunity for group discussion and to put new skills into practice.
‘It took me out of my comfort zone but I enjoyed it!’ Participant Here is an example of the topics covered on a typical training course.
Day 1 Engaging with the public /local communities
Leadership and communication
• What is facilitation?
• Overcoming nerves
• Key facilitation techniques – including questioning and listening skills
• The importance of preparation
• Maximising individual contributions in group sessions
• Working with different leadership styles
• Which presenting technique is best? • How to communicate effectively in a range of settings
Day 2 The power of voice and lived experience
Equality and diversity in action
• What is ‘lived experience’?
• How to identify priority groups
• How to capture lived experience effectively
• The principles of inclusion and equality of opportunity when working with priority groups
• Using information to shape and influence the development of NHS and social care services
• Identifying a range of ways to reach and work with priority groups
‘Thank you – the course was excellently delivered in a relaxed, informative way.’ Participant
‘An interesting and valuable course at a pace and level I could manage.’ Participant
Contact us To find out more about our training courses, get in touch.
Essex www.healthwatchessex.org.uk @HWEssex enquiries@healthwatchessex.org.uk 01376 572829 RCCE House, Threshelfords Business Park, Inworth Road, Feering, Essex CO5 9SE
www.voluntarysectortraining.org.uk @VS_T admin@voluntarysectortraining.org.uk 01371 876747 45 Stortford Rd, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1DQ May 2014 Healthwatch Essex. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 8360699. Registered office as above.