Volunteers' Week 2022 - Jan Kitching
Jan has been an important member of the Lived Experience Panel, not only does she bring good experience to the lived experience team but you can tell Jan cares about the people who are not getting their voices heard. She often finds important information and lets the Healthwatch team know helping us to monitor themes in Stockport. From all of us at Healthwatch Stockport we would like to say thank you for all your hard work and Happy Volunteers' Week!
Name and a little bit about yourself [background, where you are from, where you grew up, career, family]
Hello everyone, my name is Jan Kitching and I'm an exiled Yorkshire girl....but don't let that put you off, I come in peace. I have been married to Neil for 45 years and we have two daughters, one in Stockport and one who went backpacking to Australia in 2015 and stayed. We have three grandchildren, two in Stockport and one in Australia. I have lived in all corners of the North and worked in Information Security until I retired in 2018.
In your view what does Healthwatch Stockport do?
Healthwatch Stockport's web site tells us that it Informs, Involves and Influences. In my experience that is exactly what it does in the most user friendly of ways. Maria and her team are very approachable, always ready with answers and open to proactive involvement of members.
Why did you get involved with Healthwatch Stockport?
Since I retired I have always been on the lookout for something to challenge me mentally and physically and I first became involved with Healthwatch Stockport when I saw an advert on social media early in 2019 for volunteers on a 'Lived Experience Panel'. The challenge should I choose to accept it was to be part of the frailty pathway in Stockport, this basically means being part of the team and bringing my experience and suggestions to the table, ensuring there is sense checking along the way and everyone is working towards the benefit of the patient. The volunteer Panel received excellent in depth training from AqUA which took us to the launch pad. We are now waiting for life to return to something like normal to be able to start our project. In the meantime I was invited to be one of two Lived Experience Panel representatives on the NHS Frailty, Dementia and End of Life Programme Board. So far the Board has only convened by video call but I'm still able to learn a lot along the way.
What is the best thing about Healthwatch Stockport?
The best thing about Healthwatch Stockport is its ability to bridge the divide between health professionals, community and voluntary organisations and make it understandable to the layperson.
Do you belong to any other organisations or groups other than Healthwatch Stockport?
In addition to Healthwatch Stockport, I volunteer on several other related organisations.
If yes, what do they do and what is the role within these organisations or groups?
Since 2016 I have been a member of SMBC's Stockport Age Friendly Board and Greater Manchester Older People's Network Steering Group. In 2019 I also joined Age UK's national Policy Sounding Board and North West Ambulance Service Patient Participation Panel.
When not involved in other groups, what do you like to do (Hobbies)?
When not involved in group volunteering I like to go walking with my husband and we are always available for Grandparent duties.
What is your favourite meal?
I don't have a favourite meal, I just love food. That said, a good cheese sandwich takes a lot of beating.
Coffee or Tea?
I always used to be a tea drinker, two large mugs every day before I left for work but since I retired I drink a lot more coffee
Can you sing and what is your karaoke song?
Call me if you ever need the room clearing very quickly. If I could hold a tune it would be Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.
& lastly If you had a Health & Social Care Magic Wand – what would you wish for?
I don't think my answer to this is printable in this publication!
If I had a H&SC magic wand I'd stop the NHS being a political pawn and football.
I'd stop it being treated as the new religion and bring in someone like Lord Alan Sugar or Richard Branson to sort it out. I would also get Lord Sugar to sort out the Care sector, and among other things bring in a staff career structure and pay scales to bring some self respect to staff who are too often taken advantage of.
