Healthwatch Surrey

Healthwatch Surrey Healthwatch Surrey gathers the views of local people on health and social care services.

We are an independent consumer champion ensuring that the voices of people in Surrey reach the ears of the decision makers.

07/06/2026

As volunteer week comes to an end, we would like to again thank all of our volunteers for their hard work. If you have followed our posts this week, we hope you have enjoyed finding out more about how our volunteers support us and the wider community by ensuring people’s voices are heard.
We wanted to share with you a short video, showing a compilation of quotes from our volunteers discussing why they volunteer for us and examples of how our volunteers support us.

As shown throughout this week, our volunteers support our work in many different ways. But volunteering is often positiv...
06/06/2026

As shown throughout this week, our volunteers support our work in many different ways.

But volunteering is often positive for the individual themselves. This might be different for each volunteer but some common benefits are that volunteering enables people to:
• Share their experience
• Enjoy a sense of purpose
• Learn new skills.

In our recent report: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/report/2026-03-18/living-coping-thriving-exploring-preventative-health-behaviours-people-aged-50-66, we found that people who are involved with unpaid voluntary work in their neighbourhood have better mental health scores than those who don’t.

You can find out more about volunteering on our website: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Your local volunteer bureau can also help with volunteering opportunities.



[Image description: In the central part of the image is a photo of two of our volunteers at a college event. Above the photo it says Benefits of Volunteering. At the top of the image is the Volunteers’ Week logo and the bottom right the Healthwatch Surrey logo. The background of the image is a deep blue. In the top right and bottom left of the image there are lots of little stars in various colours.]

Carol joined us as a volunteer in 2023. She says:“I chose to volunteer with Healthwatch Surrey as I really believe that ...
05/06/2026

Carol joined us as a volunteer in 2023. She says:

“I chose to volunteer with Healthwatch Surrey as I really believe that what they do is helping to change the NHS and healthcare for the better.

Most of my volunteer work is out on engagement, going out into the community to meet people. This year I was involved in the patient transport project, finding out what local people thought about the NHS non-emergency patient transport service and how it might better meet their needs. As well as this, I will be participating in the Enter and View programme going forward. I enjoy the varied nature of the engagements and the different people you meet while out and about. I’m looking forward to continuing my volunteering over the coming year.”

To find out more about our volunteers visit: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/



[Image description: In the central part of the image is a photo of Rachel. Above the photo it says Enter and View - Carol. At the top of the image is the Volunteers’ Week logo and the bottom right the Healthwatch Surrey logo. The background of the image is a deep blue. In the top right and bottom left of the image there are lots of little stars in various colours.]

One of the many roles our volunteers undertake is being part of our Reading Panel which helps us prepare for/attend meet...
04/06/2026

One of the many roles our volunteers undertake is being part of our Reading Panel which helps us prepare for/attend meetings and ensures public facing copy meets the needs of local people.

Rachel says: “The Reading Panel is an excellent way for people to contribute meaningfully to health and social care services if they are not always able to get out to volunteer. I like the flexibility and variety of the work that comes the reading panel's way.”

Find out more about what our volunteers do on our website: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/



[Image description: In the central part of the image is Rachel’s quote as detailed in the post. Above the quote it says Reading Panel – Rachel. At the top of the image is the Volunteers’ Week logo and the bottom right the Healthwatch Surrey logo. The background of the image is a deep blue. In the top right and bottom left of the image there are lots of little stars in various colours.]

When our Helpdesk became aware of concerns from the public about how to access Continuing Healthcare (CHC), we decided t...
03/06/2026

When our Helpdesk became aware of concerns from the public about how to access Continuing Healthcare (CHC), we decided to make two information videos. Our volunteer Maria had recent experience of the CHC process and, along with another member of the public, took part in a video explaining their experiences.

Maria says:
“I became involved in the video as I felt passionately that it was important to raise the impact of the CHC process to families and their loved ones during end of life care. A sensitive, emotional and stressful time that we often do not talk about. Sharing my family’s story was a powerful way to the amplify our voice to the system and lead to changes for others who would be using CHC in the future.”

To find out more about our volunteers visit: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/



[Image description: In the central part of the image is a photo of Maria. Above the photo it says CHC video - Maria. At the top of the image is the Volunteers’ Week logo and the bottom right the Healthwatch Surrey logo. The background of the image is a deep blue. In the top right and bottom left of the image there are lots of little stars in various colours.]

Our student volunteer Sophia is one of a number of Surrey students has undertaken a peer research project regarding ment...
02/06/2026

Our student volunteer Sophia is one of a number of Surrey students has undertaken a peer research project regarding mental health services for young people. She spoke to 11 teenagers and young people, who had all accessed mental health support at some point. The report, which is on our website, highlights that lack of awareness, difficulties in accessing services and previous poor experiences can discourage young people from accessing mental health services.

Sophia said: “I chose to complete this report to make a positive impact on the quality of public mental health services for young people, who often struggle most with mental health. I wanted to listen to their concerns and experiences to improve these systems for everyone and make sure that every young person receives the best quality care and experience and that their concerns are met with recognition and compassion.”

This report can be read on our website: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/report/2026-05-22/mental-health-services-young-people-volunteer-report-may-2026



[Image description: In the central part of the image is a photo of Sophia. Above the photo it says Peer research - Sophia. At the top of the image is the Volunteers’ Week logo and the bottom right the Healthwatch Surrey logo. The background of the image is a deep blue. In the top right and bottom left of the image there are lots of little stars in various colours.]

Happy Volunteers Week to all volunteers – and a huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers for their support. Over ...
01/06/2026

Happy Volunteers Week to all volunteers – and a huge thank you to all our incredible volunteers for their support. Over the last year, our volunteers have given us an amazing 1067 hours of support, helping us to ensure people’s experiences of health and social care are heard.

Our volunteers are integral to the work we do as Healthwatch Surrey. Over the past year, they have:

• Raised awareness about Healthwatch Surrey
• Supported us on engagement sessions
• Shared their experience for videos
• Helped us prepare for/attend meetings to share what we hear
• Been part of our reading panel
• Joined us on Enter and View visits.

Without their help, we wouldn’t be able to carry out the extent of the work we do across the whole of the county.

Follow us this week to hear from our volunteers about the wide ranging ways they help us and the value they bring.

https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/



[Image description: Image of our volunteer week thank you card. The background is a deep blue with deep yellow writing. Around the writing are tiny stars, mainly in the top right and bottom left of the image. The card has the words ‘A very big thank you this Volunteers Week (with Volunteers week being the Volunteers week logo). Underneath it lists all the ways our volunteers have assisted us this year (as detailed in the post). At the bottom it says: Without your help we wouldn't be able to carry out the extent of the work we do across the whole of the county and ensure the voice of Surrey residents is heard. At the bottom of the page is the Healthwatch Surrey logo.]

- Do you use the NHS App or your GP practice website?- Are there reasons you don’t use these?- What is your view about A...
27/05/2026

- Do you use the NHS App or your GP practice website?
- Are there reasons you don’t use these?
- What is your view about AI being used by your GP practice?

We would love to hear your experiences about online access to GP services (using your GP practice website, the NHS App or other online services), if you manage your health care needs with your GP practice using online technology and your views on the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) within general practice.

Please complete our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWSyGPDigital2026/
Or if you prefer to share your experience in your own words, please contact our Helpdesk:
You can share your experience via our online form - https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/share-your-views, or by getting in touch with our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected]

The survey will close on 1 July 2026.



[Image description: The questions detailed in the post are in the centre of the image. At the top are graphics of a mobile phone showing the NHS App, a laptop and representation of AI. Beneath the questions are the words: Please share your experience with us, and beside that an image of a GP using a computer. At the very top of the image are the Luminus and Healthwatch Surrey logos]

Have you recently been to hospital?Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear about you...
23/05/2026

Have you recently been to hospital?
Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear about your recent hospital experience.

Please complete our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/HwSyHospitalFeedback2026/

If you need a paper copy, or would prefer to share your experience in your own words you can contact our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].



[Image description: In the centre of the image is a photo of a hosptial sign, pointing to the Hospital Entrance and to the Emergency Department. Above the sign are the words: Have you recently been to hospital. Below the sign it says: Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear your about recent hospital experience.]

“I wish there were services specifically for men like me - not just general mental health support, but somewhere to talk...
12/05/2026

“I wish there were services specifically for men like me - not just general mental health support, but somewhere to talk about….my relationship and my mental health. I need a place where it’s safe to say I’m struggling without feeling guilty or weak. Peer groups, drop-in sessions, or even one to one support would make a huge difference.” This is just one of many quotes from the 125 men who we heard from about their relationship with their local community and their thoughts about their own health and wellbeing.

Read our report on our website: https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/report/2026-03-19/men-mind-loneliness-mental-health-and-mens-access-support-dorking-and-across

Thank you to everyone who took part and to the local groups who assisted with our research.

We are pleased that the insights we provided, along with our ability to bring local organisations together, is supporting and enabling the provision of new men’s groups in the area, offering a vital lifeline for local men experiencing loneliness and mental health.



[Image description: Set over a photo of the stepping stones in Dorking is a quote taken from our latest report: “I wish there were services specifically for men like me - not just general mental health support, but somewhere to talk about….my relationship and my mental health. I need a place where it’s safe to say I’m struggling without feeling guilty or weak. Peer groups, drop-in sessions, or even one to one support would make a huge difference.” Underneath the quote the words are: Read our latest report: Men in Mind.]

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GF21, Astolat, Coniers Way, Burpham
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