Healthwatch Leeds

Economic benefits of implementing the Accessible Information Standard - Gemma's experience Gemma shares her experience of supporting her profoundly deaf parents to navigate a health and care system that isn't providing information in an accessible ...

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

Can't make the event? Get in touch:
healthwatchleeds.co.uk/get-in-touch/

A poster advertising Tech Talk and toast wellbeing support. Come down for stalls, talks and advice on financial, budget and health matters. Free light lunch provided. 10AM to 1PM Friday 13th March at The Old Fire Station on Gipton Approach. Organisations inculde Healthwatch Leeds, Virgin money, West Yorkshire fire service, Age UK, Care and repair, green doctor, money buddies, stop loan sharks, people in action plus more.

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.

As a result, Abdul's experience is driving real changes in Leeds. Organisations are working to improve personal care through clearer, more compassionate communication. Check out Abdul's experiences and summary report on our website.
healthwatchleeds.co.uk/how-does-it-...

Cover of How does it feel for me? Abdul's summary report.

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

Happy Holi from all of us at Healthwatch Leeds.

Wishing those who celebrate a colourful and vibrant Holi.

Your feedback will help us know how we can work with you to make the biggest difference for people in Leeds. Please take 3 minutes to share your feedback: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PartReview

Last year, we focused on:
1. Ensuring people can stay well and have good access to care in their local areas as part of Neighbourhood Health.
2. Listening to people with learning disabilities in supported living.
3. Measuring the impact of any significant changes to services.

Healthwatch Leeds. What have we done well? What could be better? What do you want us to work on this year? Take 3 minutes to complete the survey.

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

Last year, we covered a range of projects, including digital access to health and care, waiting times, the NHS 111 mental health crisis line, healthcare in the community, young people's mental health services, and support for people with learning disabilities (and many more).

What have we done well? What could be better? What do you want us to work on this year? Take 3 minutes to complete the survey for a chance to win a £25 Love2shop voucher.

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...

Healthwatch Leeds news and views.

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...

Your feedback will help shape future work with people, communities, and systems across Leeds.

People sitting around a large table, talking to eachother while a volunteer makes notes.

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

One person kindly said, "Healthwatch needs to stay independent and continue the good work it's doing". Thank you for your support 😊
If you missed us or didn't get the chance to give us your feedback, you can complete the survey online or get in touch. www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

Three women at the coffee morning smiling with a young volunteer who is taking notes.

Two women smiling with a volunteer with various books and puzzles on a table in front of them.

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.

A poster that says lets talk about mental health stigma, inviting people to join small focus groups to share their thoughts.

Anyone in Leeds can join. It is a 2 hour focus group to share your thoughts. Travel and lunch is provided. Happening on 23rd and 25th February. Get in touch for more information.

@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 Kareem from all of us at Healthwatch Leeds.

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

Happy Lunar New year 2026. Wishing you and your family happiness, harmony and health in the year of the horse. From all of us at Healthwatch Leeds.

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

A group of people, smiling and laughing. They are sitting around a table covered in yarn, bags and cake.

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

One person said "I've been looking for your (Healthwatch) leaflet at home. I know it's in all my stuff somewhere. My friend needs advice about her husband, who has dementia and lives in a care home."

We go out to communities, provide information online, offer advice and signposting services, and make recommendations to services.

Share your thoughts: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureOfHWL

A persons hands, holding a pen to fill in a survey.

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 postit note says we love your feedback.

A postit note says talk to us about health and care services in Leeds.

A postit note says you matter and can make a difference.

A postit note says happy to help you.

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.

We’re asking services to listen to young people’s voices and create spaces where people feel like they belong.

That’s why we’re supporting #ThisIsMyPlace with @place2becharity.bsky.social 💛

We created this document based on what we have heard from young people, created by our young volunteers. The document gives 11 top tips for services to make mental health support for young people easier to access.

Lowering the barriers: Youthwatch's top tips for mental health support young people can access. Youthwatch Leeds is a self-led group of Healthwatch Leeds volunteers, aged 13 to 25. We make sure that young people’s voices are heard by health and care services. 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. To develop these tips, we visited spaces where young people receive mental health support and listened closely to what helps and what gets in the way. The following 11 tips are based on young people’s experiences and set out practical ways services can reduce barriers and improve access.

1) FRIENDLY SUPPORTIVE STAFF. The right staff makes all the difference. Having friendly, non-judgmental staff was voted as the most important factor in deciding whether young people would access a service. TOP TIP: add a ‘meet the team’ section to your social media or website! 2) CREATING A WELCOMING SPACE. Think carefully about the space you are creating. Make it calm, colourful, and non-clinical. Use warm, low lighting (lamps and fairy lights), comfortable seating, calming background music, and interesting posters and artwork. TOP TIP: display artwork created by staff and service users to make it personal. 3) PRIVATE SPACES. Privacy is key for young people sharing sensitive information. Offer private spaces proactively, so they don’t ask for them. TOP TIP: Private spaces can double up as a quiet room for people that need a low-sensory 4) LOCATION-ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE SPACES. Spaces should be easy to find, well-connected by public transport, and in areas that are well-lit. Avoid locations down alleys, and use bright signage visible from the street to clearly show where the service is. TOP TIP: think about what locations look like after dark. 5) MAKE ARRIVING,WAITING, AND SETTLING IN EASY. Provide low-pressure, comfortable spaces that young people can arrive and settle in nicely. Have a staff member greet arrivals, offer teas and snacks, and provide activities or games to reduce the focus on waiting. TOP TIP: ensure games and activities are easily reachable so young people can use them without needing to ask. 6) BUILD ACCESSIBILITY IN FROM THE START. Accessibility matters in terms of physical access, sensory needs, language, and information formats. Make sure accessibility features (like interpreters, step free access and more) are visible and offered to everyone from the very beginning. TOP TIP: accessibility helps everyone feel welcome.

7) BE FLEXIBLE IN HOW SUPPORT IS OFFERED. Value and protect informal, relationship-based support that can adapt to different needs. Flexibility around activities, spaces, and session formats helps build trust and makes young people feel comfortable. TOP TIP: outdoor spaces can help with regulation and create a low-pressure environment. 8) CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. Being in spaces with other young people and fostering a sense of shared community can help reduce isolation and add energy to the space. Community-based settings with visible youthpresence makes services feel more approachable and less clinical. TOP TIPS: encourage informal activities to help young people connect and feel part of the space. 9) CLEAR INFORMATION BEFORE ATTENDING. Provide information through social media, your website, or flyers so young people know what to expect before their first visit. Include FAQ’s, directions from the nearest bus stop or landmark, visual walk-throughs of space, a step-by-step guide to appointments, and details of accessibility features. This helps reduce anxiety about attending for the first time. TOP TIP: Offer phone, text, or email contact so young people can ask questions before attending. 10) MAKE FIRST CONTACT SIMPLE, CLEAR, AND RESPECTFUL OF PRIVACY. Sign-up forms should be short and easy to complete. Be mindful that questions about which school the young person attends, or parents/carers (if not handled carefully) can make young people feel their privacy isn’t respected. TOP TIP: only ask for essential information and explain how it will be used. 11) USE YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICES TO SHAPE AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE. Keep youth voice at the centre of service design to ensure the support reflects what actually matters to the young people using it. TOP TIP: involve young people in feedback session, co-design activities, or advisory groups so their perspectives influence how the service works.

I tickbox page that says I pledge to youthwatch Leeds. 1. We will provide friendly, supportive staff 2. We will create welcoming, non-clinical spaces 3. We will offer private spaces without being asked 4. We will choose locations that feel safe and accessible 5. We will give clear information before a first visit 6. We will build accessibility in from the start 7. We will make arriving and waiting easy 8. We will be flexible in how we offer support 9. We will create a sense of community 10. We will keep first contact simple and respect privacy 11. We will involve young people in shaping our service

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.

Four Youthwatch volunteers at an event sat around a round table. Volunteers hold up the top tips document, one volunteer holds a photo poster saying ‘Youthwatch Leeds, Our Voice Counts’

Eight people in a video call meeting. All people are smiling.

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.

A healthwatch Leeds leaflet next to a game of dominoes.

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.