15.11.2016
Healthwatch Croydon signs up a whole class of placement students
Healthwatch Croydon, the local champion for better health and social care, has signed up a whole class of 24 public health and social care students from University Centre Croydon on placements until May 2017.
The students, based at Croydon College, will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of our work. They will be collecting comments from residents at outreach sessions at local hospitals, GPs and community groups. They will enter and analyse data to supporting the delivery of reports, which influence change in services.
In return, they will gain insights into the challenges and issues of health and social care services, as well as developing skills in all aspects of research. This gives them experience and skills to feedback into their studies, and support them in finding work once they graduate or preparation for further study.
Darren Morgan, Healthwatch Croydon Analyst, said “These students will be learning all about our work and will assist us in gaining residents’ feedback, identifying issues (coding) and writing reports that will help shape local health and social care services. They will be working alongside staff and with around sixty volunteers in the office, and out in the community, during their time with us.”
One of the students, Besem Joy Taku said: “Being someone who is passionate about the quality of care the public receives, I became interested in doing a placement with Healthwatch Croydon. They are out to listen to the patient’s voice and make sure health services are of a high quality for all. I will like to say thank you to Darren because he includes me in every activity. I have come to know more about Healthwatch and its relationship with the various NHS bodies. In the course of my placement, I will enjoy working in the field and learning how to interact with the public.”
Annette Helliwell, Lecturer for the Foundation Degree Public Health and Social Care course at University Centre Croydon said: “We have been working with Healthwatch for over a year now and are really thrilled that they have been able to offer our students this exciting opportunity to put some of their skills and knowledge into action. Many of our students live in the local area and are delighted to be able to work with Healthwatch so help improve out comes for local people.”
