| | | Hello members & friends and welcome to the May e-bulletin from Healthwatch Stockport, your local Health and Social Care Champion. |
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 Inform | Involve | Influence |
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Welcome to the May edition of Healthwatch Stockport News. This month we reflect on the work we have been involved with around End of Life Care and access to British Sign Language Interpreters.
Our organisational feature focuses on Mellor Country House.
Our profile volunteer this Month is David Atkinson. David is our long suffering Finance Director who keeps us in check and makes sure we don’t spend too much money!
The staff profile is Maqbul Rose, See what a typical day is like for our newly promoted Engagement Officer at Healthwatch Stockport!
Early this year NHS England launched its 10 year NHS PLAN and Healthwatch across the country have been running local focus groups and taking part in nationwide surveys. Thankyou to those of you who have contributed, a full national report will be available in June. |
I am pleased to announce that our funding for 2019-20 has just been confirmed for a further 12 months. We have met with our commissioners to further develop our information and signposting service, which until now has been funded through our reserves.
This next year will be one of refresh and review as the council will be working with us to work out how Healthwatch Stockport will be funded in the future.
In April Healthwatch turned 6 years old so I hope you enjoy this Birthday Edition of the Bulletin.
Maria |
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David Atkinson 
Name and a little bit about yourself? I'm David and I'm from Marple.
In your view what does Healthwatch Stockport do? I think Healthwatch, gives the professionals a public view on how services should be put together. Champion of the needs of the people of Stockport.
Why did you get involved with Healthwatch Stockport? Well I have always been in Business and when I Retired I had no real hobbies. With time on my hands I wanted to give back to Stockport the place where I grew up and lived in. I really just wanted to get involved with the people of Stockport.
How long have you been involved with Healthwatch Stockport? I have been involved with Healthwatch since around when I retired, so around 2008. Healthwatch was originally the local involvement network.
What is the best thing about Healthwatch Stockport? The best thing about Healthwatch is that we do get listened too and we do have teeth. We have statutory rights, that let us do certain things and that they do have to take Healthwatch into consideration. Our Enter and View team cannot be patted on the head and then sent away, we can’t be refused entry on the premises. It’s good that Healthwatch have committed people too some that are volunteers and who want to fight to get improvements in Stockport.
What could be improved? We need to blow our trumpet louder, the people of Stockport need to know we are here and where we are. There is not enough people that know that we exist. We need to become more of a presence, by bombarding the local press, getting posters/ flyers up in local hospitals and attend more events. We need to have new members, with new voices. I think the signposting idea is a good idea, as more people will be in touch if they need our help.
Do you belong to any other organisations or groups other than Healthwatch Stockport? None others than Healthwatch. I never really had had any real hobbies, this is one of the reasons why i decided to join Healthwatch.
What is your favourite meal? hmm, Surf and Turf. But fish and chips is good too, curry sauce is really quite moreish!
Can you sing and whats your karaoke song? I can't sing, I'm hopeless. I always know the tunes, but can never remember the words. My favourite band is The Rolling Stones, I was abit of a goodie and they were quite badly behaved, so that is what attracted me to them! Eric Clapton is my favourite artist.
If you had a Health & Social Care Magic Wand – what would you wish for? I’m going to say something selfish and ask for better social care for the elderly. You shouldn’t have to sell your house to die well. More care for being looked after in your own home. |
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Maqbul RosePosition - Work Programme ManagerWhat do you most enjoy about working at Healthwatch Stockport? I really like it when we make a difference, and we can make a difference. I really enjoy consulting with the people of Stockport and getting involved with the community to help improve local health and care services.Why did you join Healthwatch Stockport? The role is very varied, you don't have a single day the same and it is exciting. With the ever changing climate, you are kept on your toes, supporting people to meet their needs.Is there anything you think Healthwatch Stockport could focus more on? Yes there is a few things I could think off, but we don’t have the capacity or the funding to meet the challenges that come through the door every day.When you aren't busy being an Work Programme Manager, What do you like to do? I like the fact that I can be the voice for the Stockport community, and sometimes this means challenging the policy makers; to meet the needs of our community.Do you belong to any other organisations or groups other than Healthwatch Stockport? I am on the Parent Teachers Association at my child's school and also a Governor at the school.What is your favourite meal? Anything (haha), really anything that is spicy especially indian curry.
Can you sing and what is your karaoke song? I can sing terribly (haha) and my karaoke song is 'It's Raining Men' or 'Reflex' by Duran Duran. If you had a Health & Social Care Magic Wand – what would you wish for? I wish there wasn’t a need for Health and social care service. I’d hope that our foundations were good enough that we didn’t need health and social care services. |
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End of Life At the End of January Healthwatch Stockport in partnership with Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust held an afternoon conversation about the end of life.
We invited people to come and talk to us about their experiences of caring for a loved one in the last 12 months of their lives. It was a heartfelt and humbling afternoon. Our members were very open and honest about the care and support received by them and their loved ones, it paved the way to talk more about the end of life and also about improving the journey people make in those final months. The CCG and Foundation Trust are committed to improving the model of care and support and have committed to a follow up session in the Autumn. You can read a copy of our report here at www.healthwatchstockport.co.uk/end-life-reportCopies of the report will be available during Dying Matters Week in May.See events below for more details. If you would like to get involved in the End of Life Care work later in the autumn please contact the office. |
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Sign language InterpretersLast year Healthwatch Stockport were alerted to the difficulties people who are deaf are having with access to British Sign Language Interpreters when visiting the hospital for appointments.
We have teamed up with Walthew House(a local charity which provides inclusive & accessible services for people in Stockport who are living with a sensory loss) to try and address this with Stepping Hill Hospital. Although the hospital acknowledges that there is an issue, we have seen little improvement from feedback and again are trying to support the hospital to resolve.
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Mellor County House built in 1907, in the lovely village of Mellor. Set up as a Charity it is dedicated to providing breaks for families, groups, carers and individuals that are usually from nearby urban backgrounds who could not, otherwise, have a break at all.
The aim is to make a difference by providing a safe secure, relaxing environment for the socially and finically disadvantaged. The Stay at the Mellor County House can be their only holiday and their only break from their day to day routine, being quite literally a life-saver.
With accommodation for up to 24 guests, and 11 bedrooms and on a self-catering basis with a well equipped kitchen and dining room and restful lounges and a children’s playroom. They also have a disabled suite with two beds and a beautiful bathroom including a luxurious spa bath. |
Outside, the grounds include a secure play area for toddlers, a bike track for the older children, a paved patio with barbeque, lots of room for everyone to run around and a private lawn area with benches and seating for quiet reflection.
Visitors are referred by other Charities and Social Services or by personal approach, from urban areas of Greater Manchester, Stockport and Salford. At the house Mellor Country House provide the setting for training and development for some of our visitors e.g. youth groups to improve their employability through a series of planned exercises and team building events. These include life skills, Job Search, Numeracy and Literacy.
For more information visit the site here at www.mellorcountryhouse.co.uk
& for their Twitter Page click here
Mellor Country House are running an Annual plant sale on the 18th/19th May from 10am till 4pm. For more information on how to get involved visit the link here or call 0161 427 1893 |
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Charity/ Community Group of the Year |
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From April we will be supporting a local voluntary or community group for the year 2019-20. We have introduced this as part of our commitment to providing social value to our Stockport community members.
We would like to support a local group of people by helping to raise their profile and some funds by hosting some coffee mornings and other fundraising initiatives. We are extremely pleased to announce our Charity of the year is Stroke Information. Nick Clarke set up this charity in 2013 following a stroke and now runs information drops in sessions, fundraising activities and supports people in all aspects of living life following a stroke. & to follow the twitter page click here |
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Volunteering and Job Opportunities |
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Would you like to become a Healthwatch Stockport Champion? There are many opportunities to become involved in Healthwatch Stockport. Keep a look out on our new Linkedin Page for the latest job and volunteering opportunities. or give the office a call on0161 974 0753 We will be running Champion Training in June, if you would like to become a Healthwatch Stockport Champon, please contact the office.  |
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Information and Engagement Officer
We are seeking a part time experienced enthusiastic, community focused Information and Engagement Officer to join our Healthwatch Stockport team.
Primarily you will be providing health and social care information to enquirers & signposting people to local services. You will be able to engage local people in a range of health and social care related projects.- 20 hours per week 10am – 2pm Monday – Friday
- salary range £18,795 - £21,166 [pro rata]
Deadline 4pm 17th May 2019
Job descriptions and application forms are available on our website at https://www.healthwatchstockport.co.uk/information-and-engagement-officer
or you can call the office on 0161 974 0753 and speak to Maria Kildunne for more information.
Email: maria@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
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#WhatWouldYouDoOver the past couple of months, we have been busy encouraging local people to get involved in the NHS 10 Year Plan. In Stockport we ran several focus groups with our specialist focus group being 'dementia' as it is part of our work programme. In the month of May we ran a #WhatWouldYouDo campaign and asked if people would take our NHS 10 Year Plan Survey, we managed to get over 100 people taking part.
We've also been writing up our End of Life Care Report, which is now published, see above.
The Team and Representatives have also attended meetings or been to visit the following:- Young people's learning group in Manchester
- Give2Gain
- Greater Manchester BME Networking groups
- Macular Degeneration Group
- U3A Group in Cheadle
- Moat House School
- Beechwood Cancer Centre
- North West Ambulance Service
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Action on Stroke month
Happening throughout May
In Stockport around 700 people a year have a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (a mini stroke) and each year around 170 people die as a result of a stroke. Join together in Stockport and #MakeMayPurple by joining the campaign which turns the spotlight on the risk factors and symptoms of a stroke.
For more info visit www.stroke.org.uk |
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Deaf Awareness week
Monday 6th May till 12th May
#DAWRoleModels2019
Deaf Awareness Week is a unique campaign in that so many different organisations participate, each able to promote their own work within the broad spectrum of deafness.This year the campaign is celebrating role models.
For more info visit www.deafcouncil.org.uk |
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Mental Health Awareness Week
Monday 13th May till 19th May
The Theme for 2019 is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies. You can download the starter pack just click here. |
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Dying Matters Week
Monday 13th May till 19th May
Healthwatch Stockport will be attending the Dying Matters event this month, for more information check the events below. We have also published our End of Life Care Report which you can find here End of Life Report
#AreWeReady
for more info click here. |
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Arthiritis Care Awareness Week
Tuesday 14th May till 20th May
Arthritis Care Awareness Week is a UK based event which raises awareness about arthritis, gathers support for people with this condition, and highlights the work of Arthritis Care, a charity which supports this event. Arthritis is a condition marked by painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. |
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National Epilepsy Week
Monday 20th May till 26th May
National Epilepsy Week will be taking place to raise awareness for those affected by epilepsy, what epilepsy is, who’s affected and what can be done to help those who suffer from this condition.
for more info visit www.epilepsysociety.org.uk |
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Dementia Awareness Week
Monday 20th May till 26th May
Dementia Action Week unites people, workplaces, schools and communities to take action and improve the lives of people living with dementia.
Alzheimer's Society new film shows kids asking people with dementia profound and funny questions - challenging misconceptions and showing that people with dementia, although they have struggles, are still themselves. All people need to do is ask. So keep your eyes peeled out for the new video, coming out this month
for more info click on the link www.alzheimers.org.uk/ |
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Action for Brain Injury Week
Monday 20th May till 26th May
The Theme for this year is 'fatigue'.
Hats for Headway Day will take place on Friday 24 May and once again provide a fun way for people to get involved and raise money to support either national or local Headway services.
For more info visit www.headway.org.uk |
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