Your Healthwatch: Celebrating the New 10-Year Healthwatch Sheffield Contract

At Healthwatch Sheffield we use your views and experiences of health and social care to help shape services so that they work better for you. On the 14th of February 2025, we came together with key stakeholders to celebrate the new 10-year Healthwatch Sheffield Contract. It was a fantastic morning filled with cake and discussion about what the next 10 years will look like for Healthwatch Sheffield. To start the conversation, we ran a series of quizzes and activities looking at our values and actions we need to take to achieve Healthwatch Sheffield’s shared vision for Sheffield of a more equitable, healthy city. In this article we want to share our learnings from the event with you.
Strategic Advisory Group chair giving speech at Healthwatch Sheffield 10-year contract launch event
Hand-drawn tree with smiley face; paper in the shape of leaves are stuck to the tree

The Values Tree

To explore the key values of Healthwatch Sheffield, we made a values tree. We asked attendees to write what they thought Healthwatch Sheffield’s values are on paper leaves which we then stuck to the tree. From this the following themes emerged: 

  • Fairness & Inclusion: We strive for a healthcare system that treats everyone equitably, regardless of their background. 
  • Speaking Up & Taking Action: We champion your voices and translate them into tangible improvements. 
  • Learning & Improving: We are committed to continuous learning and growth, making sure any changes to our service meet your needs. 
  • Working Together: We believe in the power of collaboration and partnerships to achieve meaningful change. 
  • Openness & Positivity: We foster a transparent and supportive environment, promoting positive conversation and solutions. 

Postcards from 2035

The next task was to imagine receiving a postcard from Healthwatch Sheffield in 2035, detailing what we have achieved – what would it say? We picked out the following themes from what people said:

  • Amplifying Community Voices 
  • Improving Access to Healthcare 
  • Monitoring Healthcare Providers 
  • Encouraging Collaboration & Partnerships 
  • Focusing on Preventive Measures 
  • Accessible Technology 
  • Providing Education & Support  
  • Establishing Sheffield as a Model for Inclusive Healthcare  

"We have empowered individuals and communities to have an input into what services are available and how they are delivered."

The 10-Year Puzzle

To turn our vision into reality, we need a clear roadmap for the next decade. To make real change we wanted to understand what actions and changes in the way we work are needed. We asked attendees to identify which pieces of the puzzle were needed to complete our 10-year jigsaw by jotting down what they thought Healthwatch Sheffield needs to do to achieve its vision on puzzle pieces.  

From this, we’ve identified the following key areas for action and shifts in approach:

A. What We Need to Do (Actions to Take): 

  • Give People a Bigger Voice in Healthcare: Empower people to actively participate in shaping services. 
  • Work Better with Other Organisations: Strengthen collaborations and partnerships to achieve shared goals. 
  • Make Healthcare Fair for Everyone: Address inequalities and ensure equitable access. 
  • Make Healthcare Services More Accountable: Promote transparency and responsiveness. 
  • Make Healthwatch Sheffield Stronger: Increase our capacity to serve the community effectively. 

B. How We Need to Work Differently (A Shift in Approach): 

  • From Just Listening to Taking Action: Move beyond feedback collection to drive meaningful change. 
  • From Working Alone to Working Together: Embrace collaboration and partnerships. 
  • From Decisions Made at the Top to Decisions Made with People: Adopt a participatory approach to decision-making. 
  • From Short-Term Fixes to Long-Term Solutions: Focus on sustainable improvements. 
  • From Limited Access to Equal Opportunities: Ensure equitable access for all. 
  • From Reacting to Problems to Preventing Them: Adopt a proactive approach to healthcare challenges. 

Your Role in the Journey 

This vision is not ours alone – it's a shared vision for Sheffield. We invite you to join us in making it a reality. Share your thoughts, get involved, and help us build a healthier, more equitable future for our community.

Stay Connected 

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates on our progress and opportunities to participate. Together, we can shape the future of Healthwatch Sheffield.

Call: 0114 253 6688 between the hours of 09:00 – 16:30 Monday to Friday.

Text: 0741 524 9657

Email: info@healthwatchsheffield.co.uk

Post: Healthwatch Sheffield, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW