Healthwatch Round Up - 31 July 2025
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up!
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Reminder of our Announcement: We're Still Here For You!
As a reminder, we’ve been updating you about the future of Healthwatch, whilst it is concerning and sad news, that the government may eventually bring Healthwatch to a close, we want to emphasise that we are still here for you.
Since the announcement, we’ve now signed an open letter along with 130 other Healthwatch, urging the Government to reconsider their decision.
Please take a moment to read our letter.
Additionally, Healthwatch across England are about to publish a petition to further reinforce this message to the Government to ensure we maintain transparency and public accountability across all health and social care. We’ll share the link to the petition with you as soon as it has been published.
We’d therefore hugely appreciate your support to share this widely with family, friends and your networks so that we can continue to ensure that people, your lived experiences and your help us to shape how local and national services for the better for each and everyone of us.
What this means for Healthwatch Stockport
While these changes will happen over time, the law has not yet been changed. This means we are still here, open, and supporting you in Stockport!
- Listen to your experiences of health and social care.
- Share what we hear with those in power to help improve services.
- Provide advice and information to help you find the support you need.
We will keep you updated as more details become available.
If you need health and social care information and advice, you’d like to feedback to us on how to improve services, please get in touch.
Impact: Your Voice Matters to Us!
Have you read our 2024-2025 Annual Report? Find out more about our work and the impact we've made across Stockport over the last year!
From helping the local community via our Information and Advice service, to making changes for lesser-heard communities, our positive impact is something we're hugely proud of! Your voice has enabled us to do this, you've shared your experiences, asked questions and talked to us about what matters most.... thank you.
Healthwatch Focus: Primary Care Services
Have you shared your experiences with us? We're continuing a work programme which looks at how our Stockport community accesses Primary Care if they have additional needs. This could be a physical, neurodiverse or mental health need.
We're keen to hear from as many people as possible to ensure we have a good understanding of what goes well and what could be better. Do you have any experiences you can share with us? Get in touch and please share this with your networks to reach as many people as possible.
Healthwatch Research, Articles & Advice You May Have Missed
As a reminder, please see the latest reports, news, advice and support articles from us and Healthwatch England.
Updated Accessible Information Standard is out
Read the article
NHS support for refugees and people seeking asylum
Outside The Box
Outside The Box is a social board games café in Bramhall where you can play board games in their small and friendly neighbourhood space.
Playing board games has so many benefits including socialising, escapism, reducing stress and cutting back on screen time. So guests are encouraged to relax, have fun and become part of a new community.
Take family and friends, or go as a solo player, and enjoy a selection of delicious drinks and snacks while playing games from their extensive board game library for £2.50 per person per hour.
They also host events such as Air dry clay and paper craft workshops, Dungeons and Dragons and much more.
Visit their website to book and learn more: www.outsidetheboxltd.co.uk/
National Emergency Test
The UK Government will send a test Emergency Alert to mobile phones across the UK at around 3pm, 7 September 2025.
The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. It allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
During the test, mobiles will vibrate and make a loud siren for roughly ten seconds, even if set to silent. A message will appear, making it clear the alert is only a test.
Support for those experiencing of domestic abuse
The alert could pose a risk to those experiencing domestic abuse, particularly those who have hidden or secret phones. The Government will continue ongoing engagement with domestic violence charities to ensure people know how to switch off alerts on a concealed phone.
- Full instructions telling you how to opt out are available at www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out
- If you still get alerts after opting out, contact your device manufacturer for help.
Support for deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted
During the test, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have received an alert, if accessibility notifications have been enabled on your mobile phone or tablet.
- The government will continue ongoing engagement with disability charities
Get To Know Where To Go: Summer 2025
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
The Summer Get to Know Where to Go campaign from NHS Greater Manchester is live. The campaign is in two parts; making sure people know where to go to get the care they need as quickly as possible.
Part one: Primary care services, NHS App and NHS 111 online, travel vaccinations and health risks of high temperatures. NHS GM has also launched a new leaflet to help parents and carers of children under five cope with common childhood illnesses.
A fully accessible digital version is available to download from the NHS GM website.
Part two: is focused on 'How to keep the whole family healthy and well this August'
- If young people are feeling the strain of impending exam results, you can find links to a whole range of resources and support on the NHS GM website.
- If you have little ones just starting their school journey, don’t forget to check their vaccinations are up to date before the new school year begins in September.
- The August bank holiday can be a busy time. Find time to get repeat prescription requests in early and to check local pharmacy opening times. To find the right service for your needs, go to the ‘Get To Know Where To Go’ page on the NHS Greater Manchester website.
Follow NHS Greater Manchester's social channels for full and regular updates.
Your 'just in case' contact list:
- Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Service - 0333 332 3800. 8am-10pm, including weekends and bank holidays
- Greater Manchester Urgent Eye Care Service - www.primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice. Available all week, including weekends & bank holidays.
- Urgent mental health support - 111.nhs.uk or call 111 and select mental health option 2.
- Not sure what to do? Go to 111.nhs.uk (over 5 years of age only) or call NHS 111
NHS Lung Health Checks Are in Stockport
Details from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance
The NHS is offering free lung health checks to current and former smokers aged 55-74 from its mobile clinics. A mobile clinic is parked at Heaton Lane car park, Heaton Lane, Stockport SK4 1AR.
The checks are available for eligible people registered with the following GP practices (in the Victoria Primary Care Network):
- Caritas General Practice Partnership – SK3 0RQ
- Adshall Road Medical Practice – SK8 2JN
- Bracondale Medical Centre – SK2 6EQ
- Stockport Medical Group – SK3 9NX
And some further postcodes in the Edgeley, Cheadle Heath, Shaw Heath, Davenport and Adswood areas of Stockport. Eligible people will be invited by post or via text message
For more information about Lung Cancer Screening, visit www.mft.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck
If you have concerning symptoms, you should speak to your GP. You can read about symptoms of lung cancer here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms
Breastfeeding Awareness Week 1 - 7 August
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually from Friday 1 August to Thursday 7 August. This global campaign, organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), is aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers, while also highlighting the importance of support for breastfeeding mothers.
Find out what support is available
Stockport's Safe4Summer Campaign
Details from Stockport Council
This July, Greater Manchester launched the Safe4Summer campaign aimed at reducing crime across our town centres and communities. It is part of the Government's ’Safer Streets Summer Initiative’ to restore and strengthen local policing in communities and lower or prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The Partnership is jointly led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Greater Manchester Police, with support British Transport Police, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and transport operators.
Ongoing Rollout of Patient Led Ordering in Stockport
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
From September, Stockport will see practices ‘Go Live’ for Patient Led Ordering via the NHS App. This means that anyone who's capable of doing so, will have to order their medication themselves.
- Via the GP practice online ordering process or NHS App – the safest and easiest way
- Via the repeat prescription box at the GP practice
- Via post to the GP practice using the repeat prescription slip
- Via other locally agreed route for vulnerable patients
The exception will be patients unable to order their medication by any of the recommended routes, are vulnerable, and/or housebound.
We have the following 'go live' dates so far:
Park View Group Practice on 5 September and Family Surgery on 6 September.
Brinnington Surgery - 12 September
Bredbury Medical Centre - 16 September
Alvanley Family Practice - 24 September
Heaton Norris Medical Practice - 10 October
Vernon Park Surgery - 17 October
This means patients at these practices will begin requesting their repeat medications directly through the NHS App. This will not apply to vulnerable patients or other patients unable to order via the App. These patients will be identified by the surgery and pharmacies, before the ‘go live’ date.
The surgery will inform the community pharmacies used by their patients via a formal letter.
Free Bus Travel Pilot
Details from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
For all of August, the around 400,000 older and disabled people in Greater Manchester will benefit from round-the-clock travel on Bee Network buses as part of a new trial.
The pre-9.30am travel restriction will be lifted on a trial basis for a month. As well as free early morning travel, it will mean older and disabled people with concessionary passes will be able to board the Bee Network’s night buses, all night, for free for the first time. TfGM will gather data on the demand to see if a permanent change is possible.
Funded Childcare for Working Parents
Details from Stockport Council
Did you know that eligible working parents with children aged nine months to school reception age can receive 30 hours of funded childcare per week, 38 weeks per year?
Parents and carers should apply now for the term starting on or after 1 September, well in advance of the 31 August deadline.
Find out more on the Childcare Choices website.
Trained staff at One Stockport Family Hubs in your community can also help you apply.
Safe Places Scheme in Stockport
Details from Stockport Council
The Stockport Safe Place scheme provides a network of locations where people who feel vulnerable or threatened can seek assistance. The scheme aims to help people with a physical or learning disability, autism, or dementia to feel safer when out and about or travelling independently.
Users of the scheme will carry a card with emergency contact details, so if they're lost or worried they can go to the Safe Place and ask for help.
Registered safe places (shops, businesses and amenities) have a sticker in their window which identifies them as a safe place, and their details are added to the Safe Place App and website.
See locations for Stockport www.safeplaces.org.uk/member-schemes/stockport
Important Update - Mental Health Referrals
Details from Pure Innovations
Pure Innovations will no longer have the facility to accept referrals for the Mental Health Network. Making Space will take over the responsibility for delivering the Stockport Mental Health Prevention contract, including recent and current cases.
For referrals for residents who've used secondary care services for mental health support, or guidance on how to make a referral to this service, you can reach Making Space:
0161 429 9744
stockportconnecthub@makingspace.co.uk
The Community Hub teams under Pure Innovations will continue to provide short term 1:1 social inclusion support under the Stockport Support Hub. www.pureinnovations.co.uk/the-community-hub/
Reloved – Uniforms for Everyone
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council is working with The Cherry Tree Project on an initiative to support families while also helping the environment. The Reloved scheme offers school uniforms, all year round, to children of all ages attending any school in Stockport.
At the moment, referrals are being accepted through professionals. You can help make a difference by donating good-quality, pre-loved school uniforms. Donations can be dropped off at any of Stockport’s 16 libraries. Let’s work together to reduce waste and support local families!
Starting Point’s 2025 Photo Competition
Details from Starting Point
Ahead of World Photography Day on 19 August, Starting Point are launching a photography competition. The theme is Stockport in the Summer and there are £50 worth of Amazon vouchers up for grabs. You can submit your photo by emailing claire@startpoint.org.uk
Life Leisure launches Move Well Studio
Details from Life Leisure
Life Leisure Avondale in Stockport has opened the doors to its brand-new Move Well Studio, the first public leisure studio in Greater Manchester offering cutting edge power-assisted equipment designed specifically for older adults and those with more complex health conditions.
Developed for people who find traditional gyms too overwhelming or physically challenging, the new welcoming space is part of Life Leisure’s ongoing investment into making health and fitness accessible to all.
The Move Well Studio is ideal for older adults, people with mobility issues and long-term health conditions, those recovering from illness or injury, or anyone looking for a more gentle approach to getting active.
See the full press release attached
Have Your Say: Safe4Summer Survey
Details from Sector 3
Greater Manchester has launched the Safe4Summer campaign (mentioned above) aimed at reducing crime across our town centres and communities. It's part of the Government's ’Safer Streets Summer Initiative’ to restore and strengthen local policing in communities and lower or prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB).
As part of this, there will be a greater visibility of Greater Manchester Police officers and partners as we work together across crime hot spot areas. Take part in the Safe4Summer survey and share your views on safety in your area.
Safe4Summer Community Safety Survey
Have Your Say: Dietary Weight Loss Advice When Attend Breast Screening
Details from Answer Cancer
The University of Manchester are looking for women who've attended breast screening and may be overweight to take part in their research study. Their research requires completion of a questionnaire and a one-to-one interview. Those who take part are paid for their time.
What is the purpose of the research? Overweight and obesity are potentially modifiable risk factors for the risk of breast cancer. This study aims to gather information from women who attend screening and staff who work in the national breast screening programme to inform if, when, where and how dietary weight loss advice or services could be appropriately delivered to women.
Am I suitable to take part?
- Attended the UK NHS breast screening programme.
- Aged between 47 and 71 years
- Have had a lived experience of being overweight
- Have not previously had breast cancer
- Not currently waiting for results of recent mammogram recall
- Not have been informed you are at high risk of genetic breast cancer
- Not have had a mastectomy to reduce risk of breast cancer
- Have access to, and ability to use Microsoft teams for an interview in English
If you have any queries about the study or if you are interested in taking part, email
Have Your Say: Psychosis: Increase Research Funding
Details from the Mental Health Carers Group
Irene from the Mental Health Carers Group has launched a petition to request that the Government look at directing more research funding to determine the underlying causes of psychosis, develop preventative treatments and evidenced diagnoses.
On average, people with schizophrenia / bipolar die 15-20 years prematurely. Poor recovery rates are bad for sufferers and costs the NHS and economy. They've identified that more investment would accelerate the introduction of more effective medications with fewer serious side effects.
Have Your Say: Family Hubs Survey
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council and partners are keen to find out what families in Stockport have learned so far about Family Hubs and their services.
Please encourage families to complete the short survey by 14 September to be entered into a free draw to win a £30 Love to Shop voucher!
VJ Commemorations Across Stockport
Here are upcoming 80th anniversary VJ Day commemorations taking place across Stockport this August, supported by the Stockport Armed Forces Community Organisation. These events are a chance for us to come together in remembrance of the Second World War generation and to reflect on their sacrifice and legacy.
We'll share more news as we hear more.
Making Space Open Day Event
Fostering Information Event
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council urgently needs more foster carers to provide a loving and safe home for the children and young people in Stockport who desperately need one.
Join their information event to find out more about becoming a foster carer and talk about fostering in Stockport. There's no need to book.
Wednesday 13 August, 5.45pm - 7pm
Stockport Town Hall, Edward Street SK1 3XE
0300 303 0321
Singing For Dementia
FamJam
OmniMusic’s FamJam brings joyful, inclusive music sessions for Disabled people and their loved ones to Stockroom. Using assistive tech and co-creation delivered by specialist musicians, these stay and play sessions are designed for everyone to join in the fun and make music together.
Everyone is welcome and there's no need for any musical experience, however this workshop is not recommended for very small children under 5 years old.
10 August: There will be two Fam Jam sessions targeting different age groups.
Under-18s + family/friends: 11:30am - 12:15pm | Book Here
Over-18s + family/friends: 1pm - 1:45pm | Book Here
Learn a Skill / Share a Skill
Friday 15 August, from 5pm
Do you want to meet new people and learn new skills? Or maybe you have a skill you'd like to share? Join Stockroom's monthly free social & skill-building session.
Learn a Skill / Share a Skill is a free, drop in session that takes place on the third Friday of each month. You will shape these sessions, with each month's skill being decided by the group.
Check back here for updates on the upcoming skills!
Growing Space at Marbury Road
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Training: Stockport Live Well
Details from Stockport Council
Join Stockport Council Neighbourhoods team for a ‘Welcome to Live Well’ and ‘Making Every Contact Count’ training session.
It’s all about helping you feel confident to have everyday chats that can really make a difference - like pointing someone to local support or services when they need it.
Connect with community, build relationships, explore neighbourhood strengths, and gain practical tools to make a difference in your work and daily life. Perfect for anyone in the private, public, or Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise sectors, it’s a simple way to help others early on before things get tougher.
There are multiple dates, and locations available. Book your free place.
Volunteering Stockport Volunteer Fair!
Details from Sector 3
Get ready to connect with local organisations and find your perfect volunteer opportunity at the Stockport Volunteer Fair.
17 September, from 10am – 3pm
Merseyway Shopping Centre.
If you're passionate about giving back to the community, this event is perfect for you, whether you're an animal lover, a green champion, or a mentor-in-the-making, there's something for everyone.
Volunteering: Walthew House 'Befrienders'
Details from Walthew House
Help someone with sight list feel connected, confident, and supported. Find out more:
Opportunity: Become a Governor (August 1 deadline)
Details from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Would you like to be a governor at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust? Volunteer governors represent the interests and views of both the Trust's members and the public.
As part of the Council of Governors, you'd play an important role in helping to shape the Trust’s future priorities and plans. They offer training and support to help you carry out your role.
This year they're holding elections in the following public constituencies for a 1, 2 or 3-year term:
- Bramhall & Cheadle (4 seats)
- Marple & Hazel Grove (4 seats)
- Tame Valley & Werneth (2 seats)
- High Peak & Dales (1 seat)
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 1 August 2025
To be a governor you must be a member of the Trust.
Find out more and become a member, visit our website.
To find out more about the elections, the role of a governor, or to complete a nomination form online, visit the website or contact the Membership Team via email: membership@stockport.nhs.uk
Training: Empowering Parents & Communities
Training: Wave of Change: September Cohort
Details from Sector 3
The personalised programme takes place in person over three months. They are looking for Stockport women who are either:
- Out of work
- Struggling with mental or physical health challenges
- And/ or, are feeling socially isolated
The Wave of Change programme supports Stockport women to explore future possibilities and create connections whilst building useful skills. Flexible sessions are available within school hours and around half terms and school holidays. Sessions mainly take place on Tuesdays.
If you are working with any women who would benefit from this amazing opportunity, please encourage them to complete an expression of interest form.
Volunteering: Supporting Vulnerable Families
Home-Start are looking for volunteers, to deliver support to vulnerable families across Stockport, especially in Offerton and Reddish – see attached flyer for details.
Training Courses Coming Up
There are a variety of training courses including those from from Skills For Life (SFL) and others. Please see the attachments below:
Answer Cancer
Age UK Stockport
BEAT Eating Disorder charity
King's Trust
ND Matters
Sector 3
Starting Point
Stockport Council
One Stockport Family Hubs newsletter
July 2025 Family Hubs newsletter. This newsletter is intended for people who work with or are involved with families, not for families themselves. Sign up for the newsletter to connect with Family Hubs and stay informed about network developments and new support offers.
Information and Advice
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance, call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Visit our Information and Signposting directory
Do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you happy or frustrated with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family.
