Get Involved

Get Involved

We are always looking for people to tell us about their story and experiences but we also occasionally have opportunities to get more fully involved in shaping future services across Essex.  These are open to you if you live or work in Essex and are keen to volunteer with us. You can give as much or as little of your time as you want, but any time you can give will make a difference. 

From time to time we recruit for specific opportunities to represent voice of people in Essex as services are re-designed. 

These roles can involve:

  • Attending meetings with NHS managers and clinical staff
  • Inputting to and challenging new proposals for services
  • Reviewing leaflets and information given out by the NHS
  • Engaging with other patients to feed their experiences back alongside your own

Current Opportunities

Engagement Manager

Could you be our new Engagement Manager? Join our award-winning team and help shape the future of health and social care in Essex. In this exciting and varied role you will be responsible for the development and management of a network of volunteers and a programme of engagement aimed at ensuring the voice of the people of Essex is placed at the heart of health and social care. Closing date: 12th April 2024 with interviews taking place on 3rd May 2024.

Job Description

Application Form

Healthwatch Essex Ambassadors

Do you want to make a difference to health & social care in Essex? We are currently recruiting for Healthwatch Essex Ambassadors to play a key role in raising the profile of Healthwatch Essex by attending crucial meetings across the county. You find out more about the role here. If you are passionate about wanting to improve services, get in touch for a conversation with our Engagement Officer, Luke. Email him here.

Hidden Voices Network

We want to ensure that all of the diverse voices across our communities are represented in our work.  That’s why we’ve created our Hidden Voices Network, bringing together community groups and organisations who are open to engaging and having their voices heard in decisions being made within health and social care. Members can also sign up to receiving a newsletter sharing community involvement opportunities, funding opportunities and general information. We’re keen to hear from you if you are an an organisation/network focussed on working with:

  • Ethnically diverse communities
  • Roma, Gypsies & Travellers
  • Refugees
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Homeless communities
  • People living with addiction

This list is not exhaustive, so if you are working with or are part of a group which you feel is not fully represented in health and social care, please do get in touch. By being part of this group you will help to shape health and social care in Essex, working with commissioners, providers and policy-makers to improve services and experiences. To get involved email our Engagement Officer, Renee, here

Adult Mental Health Ambassadors

Do you have lived experience of mental health providers or services in Essex? Are you willing to share your experiences to make a difference within the services provided across Essex? We are currently looking for people who have both lived experience and a passion for mental health to become Adult Mental Health Ambassadors.  More information is available here or you can get in touch with Jason Baker here for a conversation.

Young Mental Health Ambassadors

Become a Young Mental Health Ambassador and make a real difference to young people in your community. We are currently looking for people up to the age of 23 (or up to the age of 25 if you have special educational needs and disabilities) who have had experience of using mental health services in Essex and who would be willing to share their experiences to help create change. More information is available here or you can get in touch with Renee Robey here for a conversation.

Trauma Ambassador Group 

If you are living with trauma and would like to contribute to improving health, care and wellbeing services for people in a similar position, as well as raising awareness of the issues associated with trauma, you may be interested in joining our Trauma Ambassador Group. Our members have all experienced trauma through one of its many causes, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, bereavement and exposure to serious crime and want to help those also on this journey. Find out more here or get in touch with our Information and Guidance Manager, Sharon, to discuss here.

Research Ambassador Network

Are you passionate about making a difference in health and social care and keen to gain valuable experience doing research in the charity sector? By becoming a Research Ambassador, you’ll have the chance to try out different research methods, attend meetups to build your network, and support the development of our projects. You do not need prior research experience – just a commitment to learning about the role that research can play in improving health and social care. Find out more here or get in touch with our Research Manager Kate by clicking here.

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