Celebrating our Healthwatch Heroes!

Whether you spoke to us at an event, over the phone, or left a comment online – we want you to know it mattered. Because of you, we’ve raised awareness of some of the big issues, and championed change where it’s needed. So to mark the 10th anniversary of Healthwatch, we’re saying thanks to you, our Healthwatch Heroes.

We’re also saying thank you to our partners – because only by working with incredible groups, charities and organisations have we been able to shine a light on what local people want and need from their care.

And to health and care professionals – your commitment to listen to what people are saying and striving to improve services for everyone has made all the difference.

But the biggest thank you has to go to our amazing volunteers, because without your passion and commitment, nothing would have been possible. We can’t do it without you!

A decade of highlights

Highlights of the last 10 years include:

• Winning two national Healthwatch awards! The first one in 2018 for our Young Listeners project. The second in 2020 for helping to improve care and support for people living with dementia.
• Launching our Community Cash Fund grant scheme to help local health and wellbeing projects get off the ground.
• Setting up our Wiltshire Mental Health Open Forum which now has more than 80 members. They created a guide to local mental health support, which since its launch in 2021 has been downloaded more than 500 times. 
• Gathering your feedback and providing a trusted source of information throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Helping to improve online mental health services for children and young people.
• Showing how your views have been used to make changes at Great Western Hospital.

We’ve been so privileged to be able to talk to so many people over the years, including military families, people with autism, young people from the LGBTQ+ community, people living with dementia, people with mental ill health, carers, hospital patients, and care home residents. In the last year alone, we've heard the views and experiences of more than 2,500 people. 

Thank you to everyone who shared their story with us over the last decade. Please continue to tell us what you think so we can champion your views both locally and nationally. 

Here’s to the next 10 years!

Our history

In 2013, Healthwatch Wiltshire was launched with one simple aim, to make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear the care experiences of people in Wiltshire and use your feedback to improve support. Healthwatch Wiltshire also helps people to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.

Healthwatch Wiltshire is part of a network of 152 local Healthwatch across England. Healthwatch England is the national body which oversees all local Healthwatch.