Volunteers' Week 2022 - Michelle McManus
Michelle has been a great help to Healthwatch Stockport since the very get go. Not only has she helped develop the Information and Signposting Directory but she has helped the Healthwatch team by constantly keeping the social media up to date. Michelle also attends the Independent Mental Health Fourm on behalf of Healthwatch.
From all of us at Healthwatch Stockport, we would like to say THANK YOU & Happy Volunteers' Week 2022.
Michelle's Member Profile
Name and a little bit about yourself [background, where you are from, where you grew up, career, family]
Hi all, I'm Michelle, I'm a proud Welshie living in Stockport. I've lived here for around 12 years with my hubby so I call Stockport my second home (Wales will always be first of course)! I've actually lived this way for a while longer than that, as I've lived in Salford (where I went to uni) and then Manchester for a good few years. Perhaps I'm an honouree northerner, what do you think?
In your view what does Healthwatch Stockport do?
For me Healthwatch Stockport is instrumental in bridging the gap between the public , members and our health, community and voluntary organisations. Not only do they help to create better services to meet our needs, they enable everyone to voice feedback, ask questions and play a role in shaping our local health and social services.
Why did you get involved with Healthwatch?
I worked in internal communications and employee engagement for over 13 years so I've always been hugely passionate about making people feel happier, more connected, feel listened to and much more. However due to my mental health, I had to finish working in 2019 and focus on myself. After some time out I started to look for opportunities that would combine my skills with my passion for helping people.... Healthwatch fitted the bill as I now support Maria, Liam, Claire and the rest of the Comms and Engagement team as a volunteer.
How long have you been involved with Healthwatch Stockport?
I started around Autumn 2020 and I'm loving the chance to help make a difference. One of the things I have been working on is developing their information and signposting database of the local health and social care services.
What is the best thing about Healthwatch Stockport?
That's a toughie as everything they are doing is fantastic. This couldn't happen without an amazing team though.
Do you belong to any other organisations or groups?
Yeah, I decided to try and help others as well as myself by becoming a mental health champion and campaigner, firstly with Time to Change, now with Mind. I've done some blogging, started raising awareness to help break the stigma surrounding it and talked about my own experiences (which I'm proud of). I've also raised over £1200 for mental health charities and qualified as a mental health first aider, so as you'll notice, I'm hugely passionate about this.
I'm lucky as Healthwatch Stockport have also given me the chance to represent them at the Independent Mental Health Forum for Stockport.
When not involved in other groups, what do you like to do (Hobbies)?
I love yoga, I also try and walk everyday and take piccies along the way. I'm a pretty creative person so I like taking photos. They're only on my phone but I take a lot from it. I'm a big music fan and can't wait to go to live events and festivals again.... I've already got a few things lined up.
I'm also into makers markets and vintage fairs and more... I love Art Deco especially so pop to our Plaza whenever I can.
What is your favourite meal?
I think a roast chicken dinner followed by chocolate fudge cake
Coffee or Tea?
Neither, give me a hot chocolate any day
Can you sing? and what is your karaoke song?
My hubby says I can. You won't get me up on karaoke though
& lastly If you had a Health & Social Care Magic Wand – what would you wish for?
For mental health illness to be talked about openly, for there to be no discrimination or stigma surrounding it. Hopefully that'll happen.
