Hear from our volunteers: Freya’s story
We asked Freya to tell us about her experience volunteering with us, and what she hopes to gain from Healthwatch Greenwich.
“Here in the UK we are so privileged to have the NHS” Freya told us. “I think it is important that we make sure these organisations are providing the best services for the local community. The community and people here in Greenwich are the core to the beauty of this borough, therefore it is essential we support everyone and continue the community spirit.”
Our volunteer roles offer a range of development opportunities, based on the interests of the people who work with us. For some volunteers, learning how health and social care services are developed and run is a very valuable experience. “I am currently a psychology masters student at the University of Greenwich with a full-time job as an eating disorder healthcare assistant.” Freya adds. “Therefore, this role allows me to hear the concerns or compliments of real patients, and those are the people that I will be working with in the future.”
The community and people here in Greenwich are the core to the beauty of this borough, therefore it is essential we support everyone and continue the community spirit.
All our volunteers can tell us what sort of work they would like to do with us, and what they are hoping to gain. Freya tells us about her recent experience: “I have only just begun my volunteering journey with Healthwatch Greenwich. My main task has been to collect feedback from service users by scanning our social media platforms. I have also been in contact with many Royal Greenwich organisations to speak to them about Healthwatch Greenwich community events, and bring the community together.”
This role allows me to hear the concerns or compliments of real patients, and those are the people that I will be working with in the future.
Students from local universities often approach us to volunteer or do a work placement with Healthwatch Greenwich. Freya told us a bit about how she has developed skills to help her with her studies: “Healthwatch Greenwich is an amazing organisation that helps build your data collection and report writing skills. The tasks you are sent to complete require admin skills that are necessary in any office job, therefore it teaches you the basic skills such as punctuality, efficiency and communication.”
Jadi-Ann Bent is the person who manages Volunteers at Healthwatch Greenwich. “Jadi-Ann is wonderfully supportive and easy to contact” Freya adds. “This makes the work you do smooth and worry-free.”
