We've been shortlisted for a national award!
The recognition at the national Healthwatch England awards is for our work with Kent Coast Volunteering. By working together, Nepalese elders now feel less affected by health inequalities, less lonely, have improved digital skills and increased mental wellbeing levels.
Our Social Return on Investment Analysis shows that £209,086 of social value has been generated by the project in its first year.
The annual award ceremony celebrates the impact that Healthwatch all over England have made during the past year. We were one of only a few Healthwatch to have been shortlisted for the national impact award which recognises the difference we have made to our community.
Many congratulations. Healthwatch Kent has been shortlisted for one of these awards because your efforts and dedication have resulted in real impact, achieving tangible improvements for local health and social care users.
With services seemingly more pressured than ever, the role of Healthwatch as health and social care champion is particularly vital and we must ensure that people’s voices are heard and service leaders act on feedback. Our impact awards demonstrate the many different ways Healthwatch represent their communities and act as a force for positive change both locally and nationally.
Has it made a difference?
We analysed the impact that this work has had on the individual people involved. The technical term for this is social return on investment or SORI.
You can read our full report (which includes the details of how we worked it out) but the highlights are:
- For every £1 invested, we can see a return of £20.90 worth of social value. That works out as an average of £8,041 worth of social value for every participant.
- 21 people from the Nepalese community have now been trained.
- These people now feel less isolated and have gained knowledge and confidence which has enabled them to access health and social care services online, book their Covid vaccines and help other people too.
- The project leader has now secured further paid work to roll the scheme out to other parts of Kent.
- Overall, the project has generated £209,086 worth of social value/ impact in its first year.
Meet Aasha
When Aasha joined the digital inclusion programme, she didn't know how to turn a computer on, use a mouse, or open different windows on a screen. She couldn't access health and social care services, order food shopping, or connect with friends and family online. During the pandemic, this left her feeling isolated and unable to maintain any social engagement outside of her own home. Now, Aasha uses GP eConsult services, is accessing social care support through the council's website, and stays connected with friends through Facebook. Aasha told us that not only have her digital skills improved, but that she has increased confidence to engage with her wider community, has seen an improvement in her social wellbeing and has experienced a positive impact on her mental health
I have learned how to book medical appointments online which is by far the most useful thing I've learnt.
