I am writing to introduce Youthwatch, an exciting way for students aged 14-17
to get involved with Healthwatch Hampshire.
Healthwatch Hampshire is your local health and care champion and exists to amplify people’s voices about their experiences of health and social care services. We want to make people’s voices heard and take this back to the key decision makers to see changes happen.
Youthwatch is a part of Healthwatch Hampshire and is for young people aged 14-17 who want to volunteer and make a difference in their community. After the success of last year’s Youthwatch work, we are now recruiting a new cohort for 2026-27. We want young people to decide and plan a project around a topic that matters to them and their peers. Last year, our Youthwatch team delivered two projects, which you can find out more about below:
Vaping: Young people take action on vaping
Friend in Need: Friend in Need project published
YouthWatch will be led by our Engagement Officer, Sayda De Maurier, along with other members of the team. All staff involved with Youthwatch have up to date enhanced DBS checks and have completed training in Safeguarding and Mental Health to support the volunteers as much as possible. Youthwatch volunteers will need to provide parent/carer consent to volunteer with us.
Timeframe:
May: We will be inducting our Youthwatch volunteers in May- this will involve an online meeting with a member of the team, some online training, and a group video call with other volunteers.
June: During this month, Youthwatch volunteers will plan their project together, writing project plans, creating surveys, and discussing who does what.
July onwards: We will plan our work around volunteers' availability when discussing when to deliver the work. The project/s needs to be completed by 31 March 2027.
If you would like to discuss further how your students can be involved, please do not hesitate to get in contact at: enquiries@healthwatchhampshire.co.uk .
