Healthwatch Suffolk

03/06/2026

A few weeks back we visited STEEL BONES at one of their Amputee Family Coffee Meet Ups at The Suffolk Cafe Park Farm, Business Centre, Bury St Edmunds. ☕️

Thank you to the group facilitator Chris for the warm welcome!

This group offers such valuable peer and social support. People generously shared their stories with us and we were able to offer signposting to services offering support.

Our signposting page 👉https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/signposting/

You can find out more about STEEL BONES and their welcoming events here https://steelbone.co.uk

Thank you for the warm welcome!

02/06/2026

‘Your Space’ is a free and welcoming monthly drop-in session for family carers of veterans and for veterans who care for someone themselves. These sessions are ran by Suffolk Family Carers

The next session in Sudbury is on Thursday 4th June at Sudbury Arts Centre, St Peter's, Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EA 📍

You can book a place here: https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/carers-resources/self-help/peer-support/yourspace-veterans-community-family-carer-groups/

These sessions are monthly, held at different locations around Suffolk. They offer the opportunity to speak with a trained advisor, who not only understands family carer issues but also
the unique experiences and challenges associated with Armed Forces life.

The group also provides an opportunity for family carers to connect with others in similar situations, helping to reduce isolation and build supportive relationships within the community.

01/06/2026

Independence means has been able to challenge poor practice, conduct impartial research, and ensure people’s voices are heard without fear or favour for more than a decade - and for 50 years, the critical need for this independence has been supported by governments. However, if it passes into law unamended, the Government's Health Bill will end that recognition.

We're at a crossroads for patient and public involvement in your NHS and social care services, and we think protecting independence really matters. We hope you do too. Read more: https://knowingworks.co.uk/nhsmodernisationbill/

01/06/2026

Have you used non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) in Suffolk? We're keen to understand how people's experiences may have changed. Find out why & feedback: https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/news/neptsfeedback/

29/05/2026

Our work out and about in the community brings us many unique experiences!

🐝Last week, we attended the Community Connectors meeting lead by Volunteering Matters and met some rather grumpy bees!

🍀The meeting was hosted by ActivGardens (ActivLives) at The People's Community Garden, Maidenhall Allotments. This was a great way to network with local community groups and organisations, while learning more about the incredible projects ran by ActivGardens.

💚We also paid a visit to our 'Happy to Chat Bench'. This was an initiative we supported back in 2020 to help address social isolation within our local communities by encouraging people to chat together.

👉To find out more about ActivLives, please visit: https://activlives.org.uk

28/05/2026

We're working with Suffolk County Council to understand people’s experiences of choosing a care home – whether for themselves or for someone else. We want to hear from anyone who has faced making this decision, so we can help to improve the information and support available to families across .

📣 Take part: http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/Choosingacarehome
👉 More information: https://knowingworks.co.uk/choosingacarehome/

28/05/2026

As part of our support of the national Thrive Together Mobile awareness initiative, we visited the Royal Anglian Regiment Big Breakfast hosted by Combat2Coffee earlier this year. This was such a welcoming event.

👉More information about this project can be found here: https://covenantfund.org.uk/thrive-together-region-by-region/

🗣As part of our work, we are keen to get in touch with veterans and their families so that we can:
- Increase awareness of and access to, veteran support services across Suffolk,
- Reduce isolation and break down barriers and stigma around accessing mental health support.

❓How can you help us?
- If you are a service providing support, please let us know.
- Can we help you? – Is there a service that you would like more details about, or do you have an experience that you would like to share with us?

👉If you think you can help support us, please feel free to contact;
Amanda Langley
Engagement Community Officer
📩[email protected]
📲Tel: 07928 831026

28/05/2026

Young people educated at home in have the opportunity to take part in Suffolk's biggest survey of young people's wellbeing - My Health, Our Future. Learn more at: https://knowingworks.co.uk/mhof-athome/

Please encourage young people to take part if you can.

We want to reach homeschooled students in Suffolk to include them in Suffolk's biggest survey of young people's wellbeing.

28/05/2026

Recognition of an independent and impartial voice for patients and the public in health and social care has been a principle supported by governments for over 50 years. If it passes into law unamended, the Government's Health Bill (due to be debated 1 June) will end that recognition.

Learn more about why this matters to everyone using NHS and social care services: https://knowingworks.co.uk/nhsmodernisationbill/

28/05/2026

Have you seen this blog from our Independent Chair (Wendy Herber)? Read it to find out why we are at a critical crossroads for patient and public involvement into your NHS and social care systems and services.
https://knowingworks.co.uk/chairs-blog/