Healthwatch Round Up - 20 March 2025
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up!
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#TeamHealthwatchStockport
It has also been a important time for further developing our skills and understanding of some extremely tough-hitting topics - with half of the team completing their suicide awareness training and members attending a valuable introduction to working with people who've suffered domestic abuse.
We too, have supported the 'Mental health and Wellbeing Partnership', 'Neurodiversity Celebration day' and attended the 'Delivering Maternity Equality' summit for Greater Manchester (hosted by the Caribbean & African Health Network and the University of Manchester), to discuss the challenges of maternity inequalities.
Over the last fortnight, the team have also continued preparations for our 'Putting the Spring into Stockport' wellbeing fun day. We can't wait to reveal our plans for the big day on 8 April!
Issue 7 of 'INFORM' Newsletter Now Available!
We've published Issue 7 of our 'INFORM' newsletter – the Spring 2025 edition!
This issue has a fresh new look and features what we’ve been up to; our focus on local NHS Hearing services, our findings around continence care, interviews with then team and members, and so much more.
Enjoy a read at your leisure and please share the link with colleagues, family and friends!
Healthwatch Stockport’s Information & Advice Service
Do you run a local community group or coffee morning? If so, we would love the opportunity to come and talk to your group about the Information & Advice service we offer.
If you would like further information or to book a session, please contact Claire:
0161 974 0753
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Hearing Services: Thank You For Your Feedback
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their feedback and experiences of NHS Hearing services in recent weeks. We'll now start the process of exploring all responses and comments, with a view to producing a report of findings and recommendations. We'll share our report over the coming months. Watch this space!
Healthwatch Articles & Advice You May Have Missed
Please see the latest news, advice and support articles from us and Healthwatch England.
Healthwatch response to NHS England reform
Read the article
Our response to calls for reduced pharmacy services
From addiction to recovery — why we need person-centred care
FOCUS ON: Living Well in Stockport Model
Stockport has seen a significant increase in the diagnosis of serious mental health conditions in recent times. This has led to the development of the Living Well In Stockport Model. We need your lived experience feedback to help support this!
Check out our website for more news, advice and informative articles.
A Strain on Sight: Healthwatch England Share Findings
Details from Healthwatch England
With a new survey revealing people’s health deteriorating amid long waits for specialist eye care, Healthwatch England has called for greater use of high street optician services, including optometrists working in optician services, to help cut waiting times.
Eye care is the busiest outpatient speciality in the NHS in England, and with an ageing population, demand is set to grow further.
According to NHS statistics, of the nearly 59,000 people currently waiting for specialist eye care as of December 2024, only two thirds (66.8%) have been waiting less than the 18-week target set by Government, compared to a target of 92%.
Click the link to read the full report, which includes Healthwatch England findings and recommendations.
Don't Miss it: Healthwatch to 'Put the Spring into Stockport'
Less than three weeks to go! Join Healthwatch Stockport and local health and wellbeing services for a fun filled day of activities and taster sessions to help you to stay well.
Our 'Putting the Spring into Stockport' wellbeing fun day will take place on 8 April and everyone is welcome. It’s a drop-in event but let us know you're planning on stopping by (this helps with catering and numbers for activities).
Please share our event with your families, friends and networks. We'll be sharing more details on our socials too so give us a follow!
Breast Cancer Screening Fact sheet
Healthwatch Stockport have been working on a series of screening programme fact sheets. Following the launch of our first fact sheet for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening last month, we're proud to launch our second - for Breast Cancer screening.
Our fact sheets are designed to give you quick access to the information you need around different types of screening. We're currently working on the following: Bowel, Cervical and Diabetic eye screening, and the Prostate programme. All of which will be added to our website soon.
NHS England to Integrate into Dept of Health & Social Care
The Government have made an announcement to abolish NHS England and make it “fully integrated” into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The move is to make savings and empower NHS staff to deliver better care for patients.
NHS England Names Executive Team to Lead Transition
On 17 March, NHS England announced the incoming team who will help lead the organisation’s transition into the Department of Health and Social Care. The team, called the NHS Transformation Executive Team, will replace the current NHS England Executive Group and will support ongoing business priorities, statutory functions and day to day delivery. Except for the deputy chief executive officer, all colleagues will be in post on 1 April 2025 to support this critical work.
Stockport Childhood Immunisation Booklet 2025
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Please see attached latest web version of the Stockport Childhood Immunisation Booklet. This booklet will be updated as and when the vaccine programme changes and is being shared with schools and early years settings
A small number of printed copies are available, please contact healthprotection@stockport.gov.uk if printed copies are needed – if there is significant demand another print run will be made.
One Stockport Learning Disability Strategy 2025-2030
Details from Stockport Council
The new strategy aims to help people with learning disabilities lead happier, healthier, and more independent lives. Developed with input from individuals with learning disabilities, the strategy emphasises inclusion, accessibility, and reducing inequalities, and prioritises person-centred care, better healthcare access, and supportive housing.
Together, we’re building a community where everyone feels they belong. If you’d like to get involved, contact Richard Currie, Working Together Lead, to join Stockport's 'Making it Real Board' or 'Learning Disability Board'.
Have Your Say: Final Views for NHS 10 Year Plan
Details from Healthwatch England and NHS
In addition to the NHS Greater Manchester Happy healthy lives' survey, a new survey has been published on Change.NHS.uk, focusing on ideas that emerged from the national engagement process to help finalise the 10-Year Health Plan. This focuses on priorities for change.
The survey will close on Friday, 14 April.
Everyone in England is invited to share their views on how NHS services can be made better – so, Stockport, have your say! This feedback campaign has been described as the “biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS.”
Missed it? A Focus on Sign Language Week
Details from British Deaf Association & Healthwatch Stockport
At Healthwatch Stockport, we're focusing our attentions on hearing services as one of work programmes. Although we're not looking at sign language specifically, it's an area we want to highlight to raise awareness in support of people with hearing loss or deafness.
March 17 - 23 is Sign Language Week – www.signlanguageweek.org.uk
The aim of the week is to encourage people of all ages to take up British Sign Language (BSL), realise the importance of BSL, and how awareness can make a big difference. In April 2022 a Bill to recognise British Sign Language as a language of England, Wales and Scotland was passed by the UK Government
See this video from Signature Deaf, which shares everyday words in BSL
Closes 21 March - Have Your Say: Pharmacy Services
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Do you use pharmacy services in Stockport? 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.
- Are they easy to get to when you need to?
- Do they offer the services you want?
- How could we make pharmacies better in the future?
Your feedback will help them to understand what pharmacy services people use, what services you want, and how you feel about access to pharmacies.
The survey closes on 21 March.
Have Your Say: Learning Disabilities Improvement Standards Review
Details from NHS England
Have your say in the National Learning Disabilities Improvement Standards Review: Family/Carer survey. Your feedback is really important and will help NHS England to improve the experiences of people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people receiving care from the NHS.
To ensure the NHS understand people's experiences with hospital services they're keen to hear from relatives and family carers of people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people who have used a hospital service in the last year. The survey will take around 5 minutes.
Closing date: 31 March.
Reminder - Have Your Say: Neurodiversity
Details from Stockport Council
As part of Stockport’s all-age autism strategy, Stockport Council would like to engage with mums of neurodivergent children and young people. They're keen to understand more about their pregnancy journeys and the key themes they'd like us to include in this upcoming training for maternity healthcare staff. Please take a few minutes to complete a short questionnaire.
Community Virtual Ward Team Up For Award!
Details from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Big congratulations to the community virtual ward team at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, who've been shortlisted for a 'Health Service Journal' Digital Award. Their nomination is in recognition of their innovative work supporting new mothers suffering from high blood pressure, while helping them to remain at home. Winners will be announced on 26 June.
Funding: The SKylight Community Fund is now OPEN.
Details from Stockport Homes
Apply for up to £2,000 for your community group to support Stockport Homes tenants and their neighbourhoods. The fund is available for grassroots* groups focussing on one of five aims:
- Older people
- Young people
- Community Spirit
- Health & wellbeing
- Digital Inclusion
Applications close on Thursday 17 April at midnight. Early applications are encouraged. They reserve the right to close applications earlier should the funding limit be reached.
To apply, visit: www.sk-y-light.org/funding/community-fund/
*Priority given to unincorporated associations, please view our eligibility criteria for more information.
Enquiries: community.fund@stockporthomes.org
Coffee and Connection Sessions
Details from Sector 3
Are you a parent or carer of a neurodivergent child or young person, or are you a parent or carer of a child with SEND looking for information or advice?
Stockport Family Hubs are holding 'Coffee and Connection' sessions for you to chat with colleagues from their multi-disciplinary team (representatives from Educational Psychology, Primary Jigsaw, Secondary Jigsaw, Neurodevelopmental Team, Children’s Therapy Services, and Hearing and Vision Service). No formal diagnosis required.
27 March, 9:30am – 12:30pm.
Abingdon Road Family Hub at 3 Abingdon Road, Reddish, SK5 7EU
SPARC's Women's Mental Health Group
Details from SPARC
SPARC's new women's peer support session, 'Expression for Depression' enables women to openly chat about their experiences with others with similar experiences.
SPARC members can join every Wednesday, 10.30 -11.30 as part of their Women's Movement project.
For more information, call SPARC on 0161 429 9744
Digital Care Revolution: Enhancing Your Health in Stockport
Details from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is holding a 'Health Talk' to showcase a range of innovative digital work that is happening at the Trust including how they're using technology to help patients to stay out of hospital, supporting early identification of deteriorating health in patients and using artificial intelligence
Joining them are representatives from community organisations including DigiKnow and Age UK Stockport who'll be on hand to offer advice on a range of digital support services available for residents and patients.
For further details, visit the website www.stockport.nhs.uk/events
To register your place, email membership@stockport.nhs.uk by Monday 24 March.
Event details:
Wednesday 26 March, 2:30pm - 4pm
Pinewood Education Centre, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport
'Spill the Tea' Meet-up
Details from Forward Stockport
Join Forward for their 'Spill the tea' meet - up and crafting session (feel free to bring your own project) this Saturday.
22 March, from 10.30am
The Coffee House in the Merseyway Shopping Centre (opposite Primark)
If you want to join in but are anxious about meeting new people or coming alone, message the Forward team and they’ll arrange to meet you beforehand. Follow their Facebook page for more information and to get in touch.
Groups for Carers
C.A.L.D:
Carers of Adults with a Learning Disability (C.A.L.D) hold these self help groups. You may be a family member, partner or friend. At these catch ups you can meet other carers, share your experiences, gather info to help you and the person you care for. You too will hear from key speakers who can further support you whilst sharing what services they offer across Stockport.
Future meet ups will be on the last Thursday of every other month:
April 3, June 5, August 7.
Contact: info@cald.co.uk
S.C.A.A.S:
Stockport Carers of Adults on the Autistic Spectrum (S.C.A.A.S) holds these self help groups so that you can get together, share your experiences, find out about information and services to help you and the person you care for.
You may be a family member, a partner or a friend so it’s also about giving you the chance to someone who first hand understands. You too will hear from key speakers, all of whom are there to further support you whilst sharing what services they offer across Stockport.
Informal Coffee Morning:
25 March, 27 May, 11am - 1pm
Jolly Sailor Pub in Davenport, 218 Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TE.
Speaker Meeting:
29 April, 11am - 1pm
Stockport Advocacy, 48 Middle Hillgate, SK1 3DL
Invited Speaker from Estate planning Seminars to talk about Wills and Estate Planning.
Contact: Rayonette Jude at Scaascarersgroup@gmail.com
Free Good Fridays Are Here!
Details from Heaton Norris Community Centre
If you're looking for a fun way to spend your Friday, Feel Good Fridays include a variety of activities, including Chair Yoga, days out, special guests, bingo and quizzes, and more.
Friday 21 March is a beginners' Chair Yoga lesson with Upward Frog Yoga Stockport.
Feel Good Fridays from 11am-1.30pm
Heaton Norris Community Centre, Love Lane, Stockport.
Follow their social posts for the latest events.
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Job Opportunity: Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Details from Healthwatch in Greater Manchester
Healthwatch Greater Manchester are recruiting an Administration and Data Officer to support the vital work in amplifying the voices of people across Greater Manchester in health and social care.
If you have strong organisational skills, experience in data handling, and administrative support, they’d love to hear from you! Key Responsibilities include data management, administrative support, helping drive the mission in health and social care advocacy.
Download the application pack
Deadline for applications: 28 March.
Send your CV and covering letter to: danielle.ruane@healthwatchingm.co.uk
Job Opportunity: Supportability
Details from Supportability
Do you have a passion for supporting people with a learning and/or physical disability in a person centred way to enable them to live fulfilled lives and achieve their individual aspirations? Check out the latest vacancies from Supportability:
- Cook: 21 hours, £12.11 per hour
- Project Manager: 35 hours, £28,000 per annum (fixed term contract - 8 months)
- Support Workers (residential services): 23 and 35 hours, £12.11 per hour
- Bank Support Workers: £12.11 per hour
If any of these roles appeal to you, click on the vacancies link below.
They are also looking for Trustees to join their Board. As a Trustee you'll ensure that Supportability has a clear strategy and that their work and goals are in line with their vision.
Exciting Opportunity: Lived Experience Co-chair of Stockport’s Autism Partnership Board
Are you passionate about making Stockport a better place to work and live for our autistic community? Stockport’s Autism Partnership Board is seeking a Co-Chair with lived experience to help shape a brighter future for autistic people in our borough.
Stockport’s Autism Partnership Board is made up of a group of people who work together to help make the lives of autistic adults, children, young people, and their families better. This includes individuals with lived experience
As Co-Chair you will work alongside the current chair to:
- Contribute to developing and delivering plans to support the Autism Strategy
- Ensure local autistic voices and their families are heard, across all ages
This is a paid role (through your choice of bank transfer or voucher payments) under Stockport Council’s Working Together Policy. £15 per hour.
Apply by: 31 March
Exciting Opportunity: Co-Chair of the Age Friendly Partnership!
Are you passionate about making Stockport a great place to age well?
The Stockport Age Friendly Partnership is seeking a Co-Chair with lived experience to help shape a brighter future for people of all ages in our borough. The closing date is 2 April.
Webinars: LGBTQ+ Spend Well, Live Well
Details from Forward CIC
Money is personal, but it shouldn't be isolating. Forward CIC are teaming up with True Self Wealth Ltd to bring you four webinars, tackling key financial issues in the LGBTQ+ community - from divorce and partnerships to healthcare and neurodivergent-friendly spending.
23 & 24 April, 8 & 15 May
Online – Join from anywhere!
Sign up now:
Training: Introducing NatWest Thrive Online
Details from Sector 3
Introducing NatWest Thrive Online – an innovative digital learning resource designed for youth workers to help young people develop their financial wellbeing.
The programme consists of six sessions co-designed with young people. The sessions explore topics such as employability, enterprise skills and money management, through a range of games, discussion prompts and other resources
Youth workers can pick and mix from the ready-to-use online sessions – simply register, download and deliver. Visit: training.nya.org.uk/?tenant=thrive and create a new user account.
Download and deliver and you can also claim £150 in amazon vouchers for your organisation!
Summer Jobs: GMYN Information Session
Details from Sector 3
The Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) Summer Jobs Programme is a six-week initiative for young people aged 16-20 at risk of violence, helping them gain skills, confidence, and a brighter future.
The information session is on 3 April, from 12 noon – 1pm.
The programme will run during the summer holidays and includes:
- 1 preparation week - 21 -25 July; 5 weeks of paid work experience
- Full time (25hrs) from 28 July – 29 August
- Wraparound support from a youth worker including in placement 1:1s; and celebration event
Register your place at GMYN’s information session here
Training: Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp
This Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp is for residents of Greater Manchester. Whilst the majority of this course is online, you'll be required to visit Manchester for some in person sessions.
Learn highly in-demand skills in areas such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads, while building knowledge of digital marketing fundamentals.
Course Eligibility:
- Aged between 19 - 40 (must have turned 19 before 31 August 2024)
- Living in Greater Manchester (able to travel to Manchester for in person days)
- Right to work in the UK (full time)
- Lived in UK for at least the last 3 years
- Not in full time work or full time education
- Have not previously started a Skills Bootcamp funded by the DfE since April 2024
If you'd like to refer a customer to this opportunity, please use the link below:
www.jobskilla.co.uk/course/digital-marketing-online-skills-bootcamp-manchester/
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 Who Talk
Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
Kings Trust Newsletter
Upcoming courses from The King's Trust
NHS England
Sector 3
Starting Point
Stockport Council
Stockport Libraries Newsletter
Libraries Newsletter March 2025
Stockport Post Community Newspaper
Information and Advice
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance, call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm
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.
