Today is #YoungCarersActionDay, a day to take action, raise awareness and support young carers. In a recent video, Gemma told us about how she has been helping her deaf parents since she was around 14 years old, with no support. youtu.be/gr15cQCIwgI

We are attending the Tech Talk and Wellbeing Support Event on Friday 13 March, 10 to 1 pm at The Old Fire Station, Gipton. We are here to listen to your experiences of health and social care services to make sure your voice is heard and at the heart of shaping health and care services.

Thank you to Abdul for sharing his experience. In one of his videos, Abdul talked about how different health and care services use different channels to contact him, such as letters, text messages, and phone calls, which caused confusion because the messages were not consistent or accurate each time

Wishing those who celebrate a colourful and vibrant Holi.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿... What topics and themes do you want us to work on this year? What would directly impact people's experiences in your line of work, and what can we do better? www.surveymonkey.com/r/PartReview

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿? We have just launched our review survey. Please let us know what you want us to work on next: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PublicRevi...

We have just sent out our February newsletter. It tells you all about our recent reports and videos and how your voice has made a difference. Also don't forget to complete the survey about having an independent voice orgnaisation in Leeds. mailchi.mp/80b178cc4c56...

If you are an organisation working in the Leeds health, care, or community sector, we’d love you to share what you need from an independent people’s voice organisation that builds on the strengths of Healthwatch Leeds. www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureofHWLP

If you think having a trusted independent organisation where you can share your views is important, this is your opportunity to share what it could look like in the future, building on the current work of Healthwatch Leeds: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

Yesterday morning, we were out at another busy coffee morning in Crossgates. Parveen was supported by our lovely volunteers Denise, Hannah and Dianne. They have been sharing our survey about the future of independent voice organisations for health and care.

@touchstonesupport.bsky.social, on behalf of the Anti-Stigma Partnership, is hosting focus groups to talk about mental health stigma on Monday 23 and Wednesday 25 February, 1pm to 3pm at The Vinery Centre, LS9 9LU. They are providing a free lunch, refreshments, and travel expenses for those involved

Ramadan Mubarak to those observing. Wishing you a month of reflection, compassion and connection. #RamadanKareem

Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate. As we enter the year of the horse, may we gallop ahead to make sure people's voices are heard and make a positive difference in health and care. #LunarNewYear #ChineseNewYear

Calling organisations working in the Leeds health, care, and community sectors. We want you to share your ideas on what a future independent people’s voice organisation should look like, building on Healthwatch Leeds work. Share your views in this quick survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureofHWLP

The future of an independent voice organisation is in your hands. Thank you to those who have completed our survey so far. If you haven't already, let us know how you think people's experiences of health and social care should be collected and used to improve the services.

A little note from us this Valentine’s Day ♥️ Thank you to all the people who have shared their feedback with us about local health and social care services. We listen, we care, and we act to make sure people's voices make a difference. Our independent organisation is here for you.

Too many young people face barriers when trying to access mental health support. These barriers can make reaching out feel difficult, overwhelming, or impossible. We want mental health support to be easier to reach and more welcoming for young people.

We shared our 11 top tips to make mental health support easier to reach at the Child Friendly Leeds #Takeover2026 event and had meetings with website developers from @childrenssociety.bsky.social, commissioners at West Yorkshire, and MindMate Leeds, sharing young people’s voices.

This morning, one of our Community Project Workers was out gathering people's views at a Chapeltown coffee morning and learnt how to play dominoes while chatting to people. If you want us to come to one of your community groups or a local Leeds venue, let us know.

Today our team took part in Dementia Friends and Wise Up to Ageism training, led by Leeds Older People’s Forum. Brilliant sessions from Sarah and Elizabeth. There is a huge misunderstanding about older people being less able. #DementiaFriends #WiseUpToAgeism #HealthwatchLeeds

There is strong support from local health and care leaders to continue an independent people’s voice organisation in Leeds that builds on the work of Healthwatch Leeds. Share what’s important to you. Take part in a survey and make sure your voice counts: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

Day 1 of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 💛 We’re supporting @place2becharity.bsky.social#ChildrensMentalHealthWeekand this year’s theme, ‘This is my place’, all about belonging and inclusive spaces. This really links to our Youthwatch work on making mental health support easier for young people to reach. More to come this week 👀

It is Time To Talk Day - a day to encourage conversations about your mental health. Opening up about our mental health can be the first step towards getting help. If you or someone you care about needs support, visit www.leedsmind.org.uk @leedsmind.bsky.social #Time2Talk #Traitors

Youthwatch has been working with The Children's Society to share young people’s views and improve their website and mental health drop-in service. Services work best when young people help shape them. Great to influence support that helps young people get the help they need. #YouthwatchLeeds

𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀! We aren't part of the NHS or council, so we can speak up for local communities and make sure your experiences help improve health and care services. Tell us what you would like to see in a future independent people’s voice organisation www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

NHS England is asking for views on the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which helps make sure people get information in ways they can understand. We’ve shared our evidence. You can too. Have your say by 11 February 2026: lnkd.in/edwCwdz2 - Tatum #AccessibleInformation #AccessibleInformationSta

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 Calling all partner organisations across health, care, and community sectors in Leeds. Take this short survey and make your voice heard: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureofHWLP

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁! For over a decade, Healthwatch Leeds has been an independent voice for local people. Changes could bring this work to an end, but your voice can help shape what happens next. Take a short survey and help shape the future: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

Yesterday afternoon we were at East Leeds Health Centre supporting University of Leeds and NHS research looking at how physiotherapy appointments work in GP surgeries. We’re speaking with men from diverse communities to encourage them to take part and share their experiences. #Physiotherapy

Yesterday, Parveen and volunteer Hannah spoke with Probation Service health justice officers about barriers to GP registration. We heard how requests for previous addresses can be difficult for people on probation and affect access to care. #HealthwatchLeeds #JusticeAndHealth #LeedsHealthAndCare

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has let us know that emergency departments, including A&E, are extremely busy at the moment. If your situation is not an emergency, please call NHS 111 for advice on the right service to use. You can also visit 111.nhs.uk

January is Liver Awareness Month! Time to make a change & give your liver some TLC by reducing alcohol. Your health is worth it! #HealthyLiversLeeds #LoveYourLiver #LiverAwarenessMonth

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 Oli has been volunteering with HWL on a flexible basis for the last 6 months. As a project support volunteer, he has helped with a range of projects, supporting with survey data entry, data analysis and other related administrative tasks. We certainly kept him busy last week! 😊

Jess’s Rule is now in place across GP practices in England. If your symptoms are ongoing or getting worse, you have the right to ask for a second opinion or a face-to-face GP appointment. Look out for the poster in your surgery. #NHS #HealthwatchLeeds #SecondOpinion #JessRule

Think about your liver - it’s the ultimate multitasker! Cutting back on alcohol keeps it working at its best. Healthier liver, healthier life! #HealthyLiversLeeds #LoveYourLiver

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 Elsa joined Healthwatch in December and has enthusiastically committed to her new volunteering role. She has been using her full range of creative skills through Canva, photography and film editing tasks, which support our communications manager by creating social media content. 📸

Great, thought-provoking training from Niccola and Scotty at @coprocollective.bsky.social, helping us think about how we embed co-production in our work. Brilliant to learn alongside colleagues from across West Yorkshire. @westyorkshirevoice.bsky.social @nihrleedsbrc.bsky.social #Coproduction

We’ve published our new report on NHS 111 mental health crisis support. By working closely with commissioners, services and call handlers, people’s experiences have shaped real improvements. #HealthwatchLeeds #MentalHealthSupport #NHS111 #PeoplesVoices

Did you know your liver regenerates? Cutting back on alcohol can give it the chance to bounce back stronger! #HealthyLiversLeeds #LoveYourLiver #LiverAwarenessMonth

Great to see Street Lane Practice invite us back to look at the accessibility of their website. They have reduced jargon (e.g. "triage list” to “request list”), clarified abbreviations, and explained evening/weekend appointment options. - Tatum www.streetlanepractice.nhs.uk/pages/Appointments

At Healthwatch Leeds, we recognise and respect the many faiths and beliefs across the city. We are here to listen to people from all communities to help improve health and care services so they work for everyone, whatever their beliefs. #HealthwatchLeeds #WorldReligionDay

Listening to people who are often under-represented helps shape better research and better care. We are pleased to see how partnership working can lead to more inclusive and meaningful involvement for people. #HealthwatchLeeds #NIHR #LeedsBiomedicalResearchCentre #PeoplesVoices

Choose mocktails over cocktails and show your liver some love! Every drink skipped is a win for your health. #HealthyLiversLeeds #LoveYourLiver #LiverAwarenessMonth

Listening to people’s real experiences helps improve health and care in ways data alone can’t. Craig from Healthwatch North Yorkshire explains how lived experience highlights everyday barriers and supports services to make meaningful, people-centred change. #HealthwatchLeeds #PeoplesVoices

It was Caitlin's final day with us today as part of her NHS Graduate Placement with us. She has had such a positive impact in our team and we are grateful for her time and passion. We wish Caitlin well as she continues her NHS Graduate scheme. #NHSGraduateScheme #HealthwatchLeeds

Today, we hosted a workshop discussing pressure ulcers on darker skin tones and ensuring the the Prevention Manual as part of this work is accessible for everyone. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the workshop for their time and for sharing their experience. #PressureUlcers #Health

Ayad’s first update video made an immediate impact! The video has already led to improvements in how the Leeds City Council Disability Services Team assesses progressive conditions. healthwatchleeds.co.uk/how-does-it-... #HowDoesItFeelForMe #HealthwatchLeeds #Impact

When someone reaches out in mental health crisis, the response can be life-changing. We spoke to 371 people in Leeds, and their feedback has led to real improvements, including better training, clearer signposting and new text support. We’ll keep working to keep people’s voices at the centre

Healthwatch Leeds has been nominated for Partner of the Year at the Leeds City Council Awards for Excellence 2025. The nomination recognises our strong community presence and commitment to making sure people’s voices shape health and care in Leeds. #HealthwatchLeeds #AwardsForExcellence

Had a catch up with Advonet today. One of the themes they highlighted is around how information is shared about people with limited capacity when leaving hospital to go to a care home. Often leading to distress for vulnerable people. One we’ll definitely be following up on. @advonetuk.bsky.social