Healthwatch Round Up - 6 February 2025
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up!
Please share our Round Up and encourage others to sign up here.
To see what we're up to on a more regular basis and for info and advice, follow our social channels: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, X
To promote your work, event or share any information, please fill in the form here or email comms@healthwatchstockport.co.uk directly.
#TeamHealthwatchStockport
This week, the team have been supporting our local community, promoting our Information and Advice service the third of our Library Tour stop offs; Brinnington Library. We've also joined SPARC to share the work around the Living Well Mental Health programme and invite them to share their experiences and feedback. (See more about Living Well and how you can share your feedback further down this Round up).
Healthwatch Articles & Advice You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news, advice and support articles from us and Healthwatch England.
FOCUS ON: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself: Children's Mental Health Week
Getting a second opinion about your care
From hospital to home: Improving patient discharge
Every winter, the NHS is under pressure to free up beds. However, getting hospital discharge wrong can harm both patients and services. We look at what people have told us about leaving hospital, and the lessons the NHS can learn to improve the support patients get.
Check out our website for more news, advice and informative articles.
Healthwatch Stockport’s Library Tours
As part of the above Information and Advice Service, the Healthwatch Stockport team are running a number of 'Library Pop-ups' across Stockport over the coming weeks. During these visits, we're also gathering feedback about local hearing services.
Pop these dates in your calendars and share our service with family, friends and networks.
Great Moor Library - Monday 10 February, 1pm - 3pm
Hazel Grove Library - Tuesday 11 February, 10am - 12 noon
Offerton Library - Tuesday 18 February, 1pm - 3pm
Bridgehall (Adswood) Library - Thursday 20 February, 11am - 1pm
High Lane Library - Monday 24 February, 11am - 1pm
Cheadle Hulme Library - Wednesday 26 February, 1pm - 3pm
Bramhall Library - Monday 3 March, 1pm - 3pm
Cost of Travelling to NHS Appointments
Details from Healthwatch England
On 30 January, Healthwatch England's Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research; William Pett, was on BBC Morning Live. He explained what financial support there is for patients struggling with the cost of travelling to an NHS appointment.
There is support available through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (part of the broader NHS Low Income Scheme), however in the clip below it outline its limitations. Reimbursement for travel costs represents a tiny % of NHS spending, yet is crucial to ensure that patients at the low end of the income spectrum can access care and inequalities are addressed.
Healthwatch England is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care & NHS England to:
- Raise awareness of the financial support available through a national campaign and promotion through the NHS App
- Make the process quicker and simpler for patients (some have to wait months for claims to be processed)
- Reform the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme so that upfront costs are covered by the NHS, not patients
Full clip with more info: https://lnkd.in/eePFn54K
Find out what support is available and who is eligible in our article.
Help us to Reach Our Community!
Do you follow us on Social media? If not, be sure to give us a ‘follow’, ‘like’ and ‘share’ our posts. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and X (formally Twitter). This helps to spread the word about local health and social care and how we, Healthwatch Stockport, can help you.
Have Your Say: Living Well Mental Health Transformation
Details from Living Well, Greater Manchester
Living Well is a part of Greater Manchester's community mental health transformation, and aims to support people with serious mental illness to stay well, and connected to their community.
One of the priorities of the Living Well Model is to ensure lived experience is at the heart of its development. With this on mind, they'd like to hear your feedback and experiences to make sure your voices are heard.
They're particularly keen to hear from people living with a serious mental illness (your illness seriously impacts your every day life), the challenges you may face, what helps you to maintain good mental health, and what could work better.
To share your experiences:
maya@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Call Maya on 0161 974 0753 (Tuesday to Thursday)
Have Your Say: Pharmacy Services Survey
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Do you use pharmacy services in Stockport? Now’s your chance to influence their future!
Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester, in partnership with local Health and Wellbeing Boards, want to hear your views and experiences to ensure everyone has the right access to community pharmacy services.
The survey forms part of each Health and Wellbeing boards Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which looks at what pharmacy services a community needs, including what services they should offer.
Your feedback will help to make improvements and shape services to ensure that everyone has the right access to medicines and advice when they need it.
The survey closes on 21 March.
This Van Can Back in Greater Manchester
Details from NHS Greater Manchester (GM)
GM Cancer Alliance have launched a new ‘This Van Can’ initiative which will be touring Greater Manchester to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
A new ‘This Van Can’ Ovarian Cancer Awareness Roadshow in partnership with Target Ovarian Cancer and the Dianne Oxberry Trust, an organisation founded in memory of BBC broadcaster Dianne Oxberry who sadly died from ovarian cancer in 2019.
It will visit all 10 Greater Manchester localities, including Stockport in early March. Dates and locations will be confirmed.
Hate Crime Awareness and Support
Details from Let's end hate crime
It's Hate Crime Awareness Week in Greater Manchester, so we've used this as a reminder to provide useful advice and information to help you or someone you know.
Law enforcement and local authorities in Greater Manchester have united to send a clear message during Hate Crime Awareness Week – that hate incidents and hate crime will not be tolerated here.
The initiative has seen all ten boroughs join forces with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to show a collective commitment to combat hate crimes. These are acts of violence or hostility directed at individuals due to their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability. The partnership aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.
If you or a loved one is experiencing hate crime, the following website provides guidance around your wellbeing and how to report a crime.
How to report hate crime
Does the hate crime put you, your family or your property in immediate danger?
If yes: phone 999 and ask for the police
If no: contact Stop Hate UK. They'll provide support, listen and explore all options. Call them on their 24 hour helpline. All calls will be treated confidentially:
- call: 0800 138 1625
- text: 07717 989 025
- text relay: 18001 0113 293 5100
- BSL: report hate crime through InterpreterNow
- email: talk@stophateuk.org
- online: use our online form to report any hate crimes
HIV Testing Week Calls For More Testing
Details from HIV testing week
National HIV Testing Week returns next week and the campaign is calling on people across England to test. Testing is free and confidential. It’s also the only way to know if you have HIV and worth doing because people can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms.
It’s easier than you think to get and take an HIV test, whether you use a sexual health clinic, a GP, or prefer the convenience of using an at-home test kit.
During National HIV Testing Week, you can order a free self-test, which you take yourself to get a result in just 15 minutes, or a postal test where you take a sample yourself and send it off to a lab who will then contact you with your result.
Signhealth BSL Health Videos
Details from SignHealth
MyWay Diabetes Support
Details from Greater Manchester Diabetic Eye Screening
If you or someone you know has Diabetes, have you visited the diabetesmyway.nhs.uk/ website? The site is designed to help you manage your diabetes and is recommended and funded by NHS Greater Manchester.
The site includes everything from advice, online courses, keeping healthy guidance and details of the MyWay Diabetes app.
Register today for the App to:
- Access your NHS diabetes data
- Understand your results
- Set your diabetes goals
- Learn how to manage your diabetes best
Register or login MyWay Diabetes
New Resources: Get the Most Out of your Care
Details from the Patient Association
The Patients Association has launched two resources – an animation and a guide, which provides patients with knowledge and tools to get the most out of their care. This includes:
- Ensuring they are prepared
- Guidance on how they can prevent things going wrong
- Steps they can take at each stage of their journey through the healthcare system
They cover themes before, during and after appointments; focusing on communication, sharing information, and accessibility.
As part of this work, the Patient Association has engaged with patients from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, conditions and levels of interactions with the health system, who helped design the guide and animation.
These resources will be helpful to patients who are currently experiencing difficulties in accessing the care they need.
Service Overview: EGG (Engage, Grow, Go)
Details from EGG
EGG- Engage, Grow, Go is a Manchester and Stockport-based charity, offering support and services to people with experience of homelessness across Greater Manchester.
Their approach is to look at the long-term solution, supporting people off the streets, into their own homes and work or self-employment.
EGG stands for Engage Grow Go; not just a snappy tag line but their whole ethos. Jonathan from EGG says "We aim to have positive Engagement with people who have experience of homelessness, to support them in a period of Growth. We use intensive support planning tools and action plans. We aim to support each EGG client to reach their Go, what every that Go may be, but usually its employment, housing or starting a new business".
The Merseyway Innovation Centre on the Merseyway, Stockport.
Referrals to EGG can be made via the EGG website : Referrals
Case study video about the work of EGG: www.egg.charity/arun
Jonathan Billings, Founder and CEO can be contacted on:
Get Involved: Become a Member of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Details from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Help shape our services! As a member, you'd have an opportunity to shape the future and ensure services are developed to best meet your and your family’s needs. Membership is completely free, and open to anyone over 16 years old.
What would I have to do? Membership doesn’t mean you have to do anything if you don’t want to – they just want your support. You can choose how much you want to be involved; this can range from simply receiving their quarterly newsletter which keeps you informed about our latest news. Or as much as standing for election as a governor during the election process, attending members health events or completing short surveys.
What are the benefits? Membership gives you the opportunity to provide feedback and ideas on the health issues that matter most to you.
In addition, as a Foundation Trust Member you can sign up for discounts at the free to join online discount scheme site www.healthservicediscounts.com, offering discounts, cashback and vouchers across a wide range of retailers.
Join for free: To become a member,
Contact Us: For further information or questions,
Become a Member - Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Have Your Say: Cancer Patient Experience Survey
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey aims to understand the experiences of cancer care by asking for patients to give feedback on the care they've received.
Feedback will be used to understand where care is working well and how NHS cancer services can be improved at a national, regional, and local level.
The survey details were sent to those people who are eligible. If you were invited, don’t miss the opportunity to take part as the survey closes soon.
For more information, please visit www.ncpes.co.uk
Have Your Say: Disability Inclusion
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
As a reminder, Breakthrough UK is seeking input from patient-facing and support staff in health and social Care. Help them identify barriers faced by disabled patients and those with long-term health conditions to create an inclusive framework.
This survey aims to help Greater Manchester (GM) Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), and wider organisations to be better providers to Disabled People and people with Long-Term Conditions.
Have Your Say: LGBTQ+ Network Priorities
Details from Stockport LGBTQ+ Network
As a reminder: The Stockport LGBTQ+ Network will be setting its priorities for the next 18 months. As part of this they're looking for specific suggestions from LGBTQ+ people and organisations, as well as their allies, on what the network should focus our efforts around.
The network already has several plans for events during this period. The aim of this survey is to focus more on areas to influence lasting change in Stockport.
Have Your Say: Type 2 Diabetes Care
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
As a reminder: When someone is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes they should be offered a series of face-to-face education sessions, to help them manage their condition.
NHS Greater Manchester want to hear if you were invited and attended these sessions, and if so, what you thought of them. They'd also like to hear from you if you chose not to attend, so they can design future sessions that better suit your needs. There are several ways you can share your views:
Send a text or video (including BSL) via WhatsApp on 07786 673762;
Register to attend one of their focus groups or drop-in session, by clicking the link:
You have until 2 March to share your views.
Open Door 24/7 Helpline is Closing
Details from Open Door
The Open Door 24/7 helpline (0800 138 7276) will no longer be in operation as of 1 April 2025.
Their face to face drop in service will still be available for our Stockport residents to access. If you need 24/7 mental health support, please contact:
- Pennine 24/7 Helpline: 0800 014 9995
- Samaritans: 116 123
The Open Door team are still available to support you.
Stockport County Community Trust Nominated
Details from Stockport County Community Trust
Congratulations to Stockport County Community Trust who've been nominated for a Best Community Trust award in the 2025 Football v Homophobia awards!
It's in recognition of their first ever LGBTQ+ football team, County Pride FC, enabled through support from the Premier League Fans Fund. Weekly training is delivered by Community Trust coaches, allowing participants to feel valued and included, free from judgement or discrimination. Judges have recognised how the Trust works in tandem with the Club to promote a climate of support and inclusion.
Winners will be announced on 7 March. Good luck to the team!
Stockport Race & Culture Awards (7 February)
Details from Stockport Race Equality Partnership
It's Race Equality Week (3 -9 February) so it's apt to promote the upcoming Stockport Race and Culture Awards (SRACA) on Friday 7 February. The awards will celebrate the trailblazers, changemakers, and advocates striving for race equality and cultural inclusion.
Good luck to everyone nominated.
Stockport Rocks! Nominations Close 28 Feb!
Details from Sector 3
Stockport’s official Volunteer Awards, will be returning to Edgeley Park on Tuesday 20 May and nominations are now open.
There are eleven categories to choose from, including Corporate Volunteer Programme. Nominations can be for someone who has a fixed volunteer role with an organisation, or someone who just likes to give back and help people out when needed.
Nominations close on 28 February and you can make as many nominations as you wish.
Reminder: Mental Health Network
Details from Pure Innovations
The VSCFE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) Mental Health Network have produced two valuable resources, to be shared with our local community, GPs and local services.
Please see the attached ‘Your Voice Matters’ flyer and the Mental Health 'Right to Choose' leaflet, both produced by the 'Your Voice Matters' Lived Experience panel. The panel would like to see the Right to Choose leaflets placed in all GP surgeries across the borough.
For further information about the ‘Your Voice Matters’ Mental Health Lived Experience panel, contact Lisa Crank lisa.crank@pureinnovations.co.uk
GM Cancer Conference and Awards is Back!
Details from Sector 3
The Greater Manchester Cancer Conference and Awards is back - taking place on 25 – 26 November. This is a flagship event for the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, bringing together colleagues, partners and patient representatives to share best practice, update on latest priorities and developments in cancer, and share new and promising innovations.
Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance are starting to shape the agenda and are keen to hear any interest for sessions on both the main stage and breakout sessions. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase work, share exciting innovations, and highlight initiatives that others might not yet know about.
If you’re interested, complete the 'Expression of Interest' form: www.gmcancer.org.uk/gmcc25
Closing date: Monday 24 February. Successful proposals will be notified by Friday 4 April.
Coffee and Connect Advice Drop In
Details from Start Well Stockport
Coffee and Connect drop-ins are informal events for you to meet local services. If you need advice or have concerns about your neurodivergent child or your child with SEND (no diagnosis required), why not pop along?!
The next drop-in is taking place on Tuesday 11 February, 9.30-12.30
One Stockport Family Hub, Westmorland Drive
For more information, email ndteam@stockport.gov.uk
National Awareness
LGBT+ History Month - February
Tinnitus Awareness Week - 3 - 9 February
As Tinnitus week draws to an end, we wanted to share advice and information from the NHS to support those living with Tinnitus.
Tinnitus is unique to the person experiencing it. But ultimately it's the sensation of hearing a sound when there's no external source for that sound. Someone with tinnitus may hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noises. Watch the video
If you have tinnitus, there are things you can try that may help your symptoms:
Find out more: www.nhs.uk/conditions/tinnitus
Looking for a Tinnitus support group: Find a support group
This week, Tinnitus UK published a new report that reveals the current status of tinnitus care in the UK, surveying audiologists in the UK. Initial analysis of the data suggests that:
- Tinnitus patients face unacceptable delays with waits for an ENT referral stretching up to three years in parts of the UK.
- Many audiologists lack confidence treating tinnitus patients due to insufficient training and supervision.
- Up to 25% of tinnitus-specific appointments use assessment techniques not recommended within NICE guidelines.
Headway: Weekly Drop-ins
Details from Headway Manchester South & Stockport
Headway host weekly drop-ins for people with brain injuries. This a free drop in so feel free to pop along as they welcome members, old and new.
Wednesday's 1- 3pm
Bridge Hall Community Centre, Stockport, SK3 8NR
ARC Art and Wellbeing Day
Details from ARC
ARC are hosting an Art & Wellbeing day in partnership with the Pennine Care’s Young People’s Mental Health Support team. Aimed at families with primary aged children, ARC and Pennine Care will be running three creative activities, sharing information about looking after your wellbeing and more.
17 February, drop in from 10.30am - 2pm
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Job Opportunity: Healthwatch Rochdale
Details from Healthwatch Rochdale
The position of operational Lead is central to the consistent day-to-day delivery of Healthwatch Rochdale. Please see the full job description on their website.
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: 30 hours per week over 4 days
- Salary: £24,960 plus comprehensive staff benefits including Simply Health cash plan.
Main purpose of the role:
- Oversee operational workplan.
- Produce information and reports for the public, stakeholders, service providers, Board.
- Impact management
- Data analytics
- Support their annual Enter & View Programme.
The key tasks and functions of this role are detailed in the Operations Lead Job Description and Role Specification available to download below.
Closing Date -Friday 21 February. Interviews will be held at the Healthwatch Rochdale office on Thursday 27 February.
How do I apply?
Please send your CV and covering letter to Kate.Jones@healthwatchrochdale.org.uk
All prospective employees of Healthwatch Rochdale will be required to provide two satisfactory references before any period of employment begins.
Training: Connect 5 Mental Health Modules
Details from Stockport Mind
New dates have been added throughout February and March for the Connect 5 Mental Health Training! The FREE training aims to open up conversations around mental health within the workplace and is ideal for anyone who works/volunteers in a public facing role within Stockport.
There are three modules, all of which build on each other. Each module lasts three hours. Modules two and three may vary by half an hour:
Training: Careers in Holistic Health course
Details from Flourish
Calling parents, carers or people who know young people aged 16-19 (or up to 25 with SEND) currently not in education, employment or training.
Flourish has shared a new opportunity to learn skills, boost wellbeing and potentially find/follow a new career path. Their Careers in Holistic Health course starts:
25 February and runs weekly with a full programme or range of pick and mix courses at Mile End Scout Hut
Enrolment mornings are at The Flourish Hub on 11 and 18 February
Fully funded places for eligible young people living in Stockport.
Training: Great Minds Together - Autism Sessions
Details from Great Minds Together
The Autism Central team from Great Minds Together will be holding helpful online sessions that will explore strategies to help our neurodivergent young people.
These sessions are all free and designed to help parents, families, carers and personal assistants of autistic adults and children (no diagnosis required) living in the Northwest of England.
Interested? Book your place: www.greatmindstogether.co.uk/autism-central
If the session is fully booked, look ahead to the next month as the event may be repeated.
Training: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
If you potentially come into contact with people in distress, please take some of these free online learning opportunities:
Suicide Awareness for Professionals (suitable for anyone): Evidence-based training developed by 4MentalHealth and delivered in half-day classroom or Zoom sessions by local Stockport trainers.
- Helps you understand how distress develops and how people can be best supported.
- Gives you the confidence and skills to equip someone in distress with the knowledge of how to make a Safety Plan.
info.wellbeing@stockport.gov.uk for more information
Zero Suicide Alliance - suicide awareness: The Zero Suicide Alliance has a series of online training modules. The suicide awareness training is a 30-minute online course aimed at anyone aged 16 and over. The course includes coached scenarios sharing approaches for how you can talk to someone you’re worried about.
MindEd: MindEd offers free online training around suicide and self-harm prevention for people working with adults and children.
Healthy Minds Greater Manchester online course: The Royal Society for Public Health offers an online course for anyone living or working in Greater Manchester. At the end of this one-hour course you will better understand:
- the difference between mental health and poor mental health.
- the things we can do to help us cope with our negative thoughts and feelings.
- the benefit of talking and sharing our thoughts and feelings with someone we trust.
Samaritans online advice: Not a training course, but very useful reading on what anyone can do if worried about someone else, including supporting someone with suicidal thoughts, and a section on myths about suicide, and one on active listening tips.
And don’t forget to look after yourself too: NHS Every Mind Matters provides simple tips and advice on looking after our own mental health:
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Training: Walthew House Tech Drop ins
Details from Walthew House
Walthew House are offering a drop-in session for assistive technology users. If you need help with your phone, tablet, laptop etc, they have knowledgeable volunteers on hand to help you get the most out of your devices.
Drop-ins will be on the last Thursday of each month. Follow Walthew House socials for updates.
The first session will be held on Thursday 27 February, 1pm - 3pm.
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:
For Men to Talk
‘For Men To Talk’ February 2025 Meetings
King's Trust Newsletter
Upcoming courses from The King's Trust
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Integrated Care Partnership Update: 10 Jan 2025
Sector 3
Starting Point
Stockport Digital Champion Update - 3rd February 2025 - Digital Champion Health Special
Stockport Council
Stockport Family Hubs
Family Hubs Newsletter - January 2025
Information and Signposting
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm or email 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.
