by Leah Lamb, Research and Communications Coordinator
I’m not sure everyone is the same as me, but I love it when a researcher stops me on the high street to ask me to take part in a survey! I don’t mind what it’s about, if I’ve got time, I’ll take part and give my views. I’m always seeking out opportunities to have my say, because no matter how small my contribution, my opinion is being noted and could influence all manner of things from the look of a box of washing powder, to the accessibility of an Urgent Treatment Centre. And I guess that means I’ve found my dream job, because that’s what Involve North East does. We enable people to share their views, give their honest opinions and make a difference to how health services in our area operate.
So, it got me thinking… wouldn’t it be great to have a platform where people and organisations could easily see where there were opportunities to get involved and have a say? Unfortunately, my grand plan is currently on hold until resources allow, but I thought as starter, it might be useful to list some local and national organisations that have opportunities to get involved in health and social care. Disclaimer: this list is by no means exhaustive! Updated January 2025.
Local organisations
Involve North East – we had to be top of the list, right? Look out for opportunities to share your views on our projects through our Facebook and X pages and our website. Sign up for our newsletter so you never miss an opportunity!
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) provides a range of mental health, learning disability and neurological care services across the north of England. There are many ways to get involved from peer support to Joining their Involvement Bank. Find out more: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/involvement/
Healthwatch is a statutory organisation giving communities a voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided within their locality. There are local services in Newcastle and Gateshead which offer opportunities to get involved.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust offers the following opportunities: https://www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/patients/get-involved/
Let’s Talk Newcastle is the engagement platform for Newcastle City Council. Sign up to take part in surveys and consultations: https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a range of ways to get involved from providing feedback on services to volunteering: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/information-for-all-patients-visitors/get-involved/
North East Ambulance Service offers a range of opportunities:
https://www.neas.nhs.uk/your-service/patient-feedback
Gateshead Council has a Resident Influence Panel which is made up of Gateshead Council tenants and leaseholders. Its aims are to:
- To make sure that residents’ experiences are influencing service design and delivery across our housing service.
- That we act on what customers tell us through formal engagement, and that we proactively listen to, and act on feedback from residents using our engagement framework.
Interested in joining? https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/18692/Resident-Influence-Panel
You can also take part in research through the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Gateshead: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/28766/Get-involved
And finally, if you want to find something right on your doorstep, check out your GP practice’s Patient Participation Group for ways to get involved and give feedback.
National organisations
Care Opinion offers a platform for people to share feedback on NHS services. Organisations can respond and inform patients of any changes as a result of their feedback. You can tell your story here: https://www.careopinion.org.uk/tellyourstory
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. You can get involved in their work: https://www.nice.org.uk/get-involved
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds and delivers health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing. They have a range of opportunities to get involved: https://www.peopleinresearch.org/
NHS England leads the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Current opportunities to get involved can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/get-involved/get-involved/opportunities/
The Patients Association is an independent patient charity campaigning for improvements in health and social care for patients. By becoming a member you can have your say about health and social care through surveys, focus groups, and working with the NHS, Government and other healthcare providers: https://www.patients-association.org.uk/membership
Voice is based at Newcastle University but offers opportunities across the country to get involved in health-related research projects. Check out their opportunities page here: https://voice-global.org/opportunities
Hope that was helpful. If we can support you or your organisation to get involved and have your say or if we can help you to carry out engagement work with your service users, do get in touch: Beinvolved@involvene.org.uk.
