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- Tasks: Engage with local communities to gather feedback on health and social care services.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Healthwatch Sunderland, advocating for community voices.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be a champion for local voices and improve health services in Sunderland.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for community engagement.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with diverse groups and develop valuable relationships.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 30000 £ per year.
We are here to support, promote and develop voluntary and community action in Middlesbrough. Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) are recruiting for a Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer. Healthwatch is the independent consumer champion for Health and Social Care. We ensure that NHS and social care leaders hear the voices of those who use their services and use feedback to improve care.
We are looking to recruit an Engagement Officer to join a well-established team working across and representing the local community within Sunderland. We are looking to appoint someone skilled in:
- Engaging with a wide range of communities of interest.
- Designing, delivering and evaluating a range of community based engagement activities.
- Developing effective and positive working relationships with organisations and networks within the voluntary and community sector.
- Gathering, analysing and presenting the views of local people in user-friendly reports.
- Collaborating with local health and care providers.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to help local people have their say, we’d love to hear from you. The role will require you to have access to a car and a full, clean UK driving license and work outside of office hours on occasion.
Job Purpose:
- Support the development, delivery and analysis of a range of engagement activities linked to gathering the views and experiences of health and social care services.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders within the Health and Social care sector.
- Assist with the promotion of HWS work to the wider public.
- Support the delivery of the signposting function of HWS.
- Support with the development, delivery and implementation of the HWS annual work plan.
Job Description:
- Proactively engage with members of the local community, especially those facing the greatest health inequalities, to listen to and collect feedback.
- Organise and deliver a range of community based engagement activities, including events, workshops and outreach activities.
- Design and evaluate engagement activities that are delivered in the local community.
- Support with the analysis of engagement findings and production and presentation of research reports to a range of audiences associated with work plan items.
- Support the delivery of the HWS Youthwatch workplan, including the delivery of Youthwatch meetings.
- Proactively identify opportunities for co-production and collaboration with key partners to support the delivery of the work of HWS.
- Facilitate consultation and co-production activity to ensure voices are heard and acted upon in service design and delivery.
- Support with the recruitment, support, training and motivation of volunteers.
- Identify and develop effective positive relationships with other organisations, networks and forums in order to obtain the views of people they work with or support or represent.
- Work in partnership with local health and care providers to support the gathering and sharing of patient and service user feedback to improve the services they provide to the people of Sunderland.
- Contribute to marketing activity, via promotional materials, social media, website, press releases, e-newsletters, etc.
- Attend a variety of external meetings, forums and groups and events to represent and promote the work of HWS.
- Support the continued collection and collation of up to date local information to be used as part of the signposting function.
- Lead on the dissemination of key and relevant information to residents of Sunderland to support them to make informed decisions, navigate the health and social care system, make complaints, etc.
- Provide evidence based ideas for the workplan to be presented to the HWS Advisory board for consideration.
- Conduct personal, venue and activity risk assessments as required.
- Work flexibly as part of the Healthwatch team, providing cover for colleagues as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels within Healthwatch.
- Contribute to the recording of engagement data into relevant monitoring and reporting systems, including inputting of information into databases.
The closing date for this job is 4 January 2026 - 12:00am.
Contract type: £26,532 per annum pro rata (30 hours per week)
Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer employer: Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency
Contact Detail:
Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the local community! Attend events, workshops, and forums to meet people and understand their needs. This will not only help you gather insights but also show your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Build relationships with local organisations and stakeholders. Collaborating with them can open doors and provide valuable support for your engagement activities.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in seeking feedback. Use surveys, focus groups, or casual chats to gather opinions from the community. The more voices you capture, the stronger your reports will be!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your work! Use social media and other platforms to share your findings and promote Healthwatch's initiatives. This not only raises awareness but also encourages more people to get involved.
We think you need these skills to ace Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for health and social care shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the community, so share your personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your skills in engaging with diverse communities and designing effective activities. We’re looking for someone who can connect with people, so use examples that showcase your experience in this area.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your ideas are easy to understand. This will help us see your ability to present information effectively, just like you would in the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so why not get started today?
How to prepare for a job interview at Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research Sunderland and its health and social care landscape. Understand the key issues facing local communities, especially those with health inequalities. This will help you demonstrate your passion for making a difference and show that you're genuinely invested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse communities in the past. Think about specific activities you've designed or delivered, and be ready to discuss how you evaluated their success. This will highlight your ability to connect with people and gather valuable feedback.
✨Build Relationships
The role requires developing positive relationships with various stakeholders. Be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborating with organisations and networks. Share examples of how you've built effective partnerships in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your teamwork and networking skills.
✨Present Your Findings
Since you'll need to analyse and present community feedback, practice summarising complex information into user-friendly reports. Bring along a sample report if possible, or be ready to explain how you would approach presenting findings to different audiences. This shows your analytical skills and your ability to communicate effectively.