Healthwatch Darlington's 'Volunteer of the Month' award - July 2021

Jamie Clark - Health Connector

Jamie joined Healthwatch Darlington towards the end of 2019 and briefly volunteered in the office to support our administrative functions such as survey data entry before the pandemic started. 

Jamie found remote volunteering difficult to begin with and lockdown presented barriers. However with time, support and guidance Jamie overcame the uncertainty of using online platforms and has been taking part in regular volunteer meetings.

During the pandemic mental health & wellbeing has been at the heart of discussions and Healthwatch Darlington and Jamie has been able to use his own experience to relate to this meaning he has been able to make some fantastic suggestions on how we can approach sharing information with the community including what he thinks matters to people just like him.

His willingness to overcome barriers and great approach to volunteering is really appreciated at Healthwatch Darlington.

How did you first find out about volunteering at Healthwatch Darlington? 

"Step Forward Tees Valley told me about Healthwatch Darlington. I had support from a navigator who suggested volunteering might be beneficial.  I was also volunteering for the Buddhist Centre at the time so was already interested in volunteering."

Why did you decide to join the team?

"I decided to volunteer because I'm interested in mental health. I've experienced this myself and I was interested in learning more about this topic including other areas of health and care. You get the opportunity to learn about the health system and what happens 'behind the scenes'. "

What has been a highlight of your volunteering experience so far? 

"Just being in a group with other volunteers is enjoyable. Your views are listened to at Healthwatch Darlington and everyone matters. Everyone is friendly and respectful. My volunteering experience with Healthwatch Darlington is different compared to other volunteering you can really get involved."

Do you have any tips for anyone considering volunteering for Healthwatch Darlington?

"It's a good opportunity if you want to learn more about  all areas of health & care. Everyone is friendly and you get to share your input in discussions. You will learn more about yourself along the way. You will feel like you are making a difference."

"Thank you very much Jamie for contributing some really meaningful ideas and putting people who struggle with mental health at the heart of your thoughts. Your willingness to overcome your own personal challenges to continue volunteering during the pandemic so you can make a difference to health & care has been admired at Healthwatch Darlington. You should be proud." - Jemma Austin, Senior Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator. 

Jaden Kirk - Youthwatch Darlington Volunteer

Jaden joined Youthwatch Darlington around 12 months ago during the height of the pandemic. Although very shy we thought Jaden would be a great fit with our current Youthwatch volunteers and we weren't wrong. We've seen Jaden develop some great friendships with the group and his confidence has grown so much. 

Jaden has been able to share his media handling skills during some of Youthwatch Darlington's projects which saw the launch of a series of podcast recordings for the very first time at Healthwatch Darlington. The podcasts were a brilliant idea and provided young people and families with information in audio format offering another alternative to finding out about information and support during lockdown. Jaden really rose to the challenge and they have been a great success. 

Jaden's ability to fit in with volunteers during a really strange time and to come up with some innovative ideas is so appreciated at Healthwatch Darlington. 

How did you first find out about volunteering at Healthwatch Darlington?

"I first found out through another volunteer; my mother. She had already been volunteering with Healthwatch Darlington for a few months when I joined. She suggested to me to join Youthwatch Darlington, thinking I would be of help to the group."

Why did you decide to join the team?

"The summer of 2020 was an awkward one for me as I had stopped my regular volunteering which I was dearly missing, and I was supposed to be done with my first year at university but due to complications was thinking of dropping out. So joining Healthwatch Darlington was a welcome distraction to then-current life stresses and I missed volunteering a lot as the flexibility of it makes it much more manageable and fun to do. So I joined in hopes that my current skills could be of use and pre-knowing that conducting focus groups was a common occurrence, that I could build my speaking confidence up too."

What has been a highlight of your volunteering experience so far?

"The Youthwatch podcast on the returning to school/college topic was probably the biggest and most ambitious task I did. It took my speaking, editing and team leading skills and pushed them further than ever before to get it all done. It was really fun throughout the whole process as Healthwatch Darlington gave me the platform to talk about a topic I am passionate about. It also helped me to make friends with a fellow Youthwatch volunteer who is now my current closest friend."

Do you have any tips for anyone considering volunteering for Healthwatch Darlington?

"If your worry is that you won't be of much use that is very unlikely. I understand that thought all too well, but the range of things that Healthwatch Darlington does makes it quite likely to find something you can help with. Even then you can try suggestions of new things. Both staff and fellow volunteers are open to listening to you as we're always looking to expand our reach in hopes of achieving our aims. It's just about giving it a go and trying out new things."

"Thank you so much for joining Youthwatch Darlington. You have been involved with some fantastic projects and we've been really impressed with how you can organise and create media content. Not only this you have also been involved with some 'special' video information sessions, talking to some great services that are there to support young people.  This kind of time and support is so valued at Healthwatch Darlington and makes a huge difference." - Jemma Austin, Senior Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator