Healthwatch Stockport

Over the past 13 years as Healthwatch Stockport — and for four years before that as part of the Local Involvement Network (LINk) — we have had the privilege of working alongside local people, partners, and communities to ensure that the voices of those using health and care services are heard.

In July, the Government announced its intention to close Healthwatch nationally as part of the new NHS 10-Year Plan.

Following this announcement, we took time to reflect on the proposals and what they would mean for the future. It is therefore with a heavy heart that we confirmed our decision to close our doors on 31 March 2026.

As we approach the end of our journey, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your contribution to making Healthwatch Stockport such a valued organisation — whether as a colleague, member, stakeholder, volunteer, or part of one of Stockport’s many communities.

We also want to recognise the dedication of our volunteers, whose time, insight, and commitment have helped ensure that local people’s experiences of health and care services are heard and acted upon.

Quite simply, we could not have achieved everything we have without you.

Thank you,
The Healthwatch Stockport Team

Read our full message on our website:

www.healthwatchstockport.co.uk/news/2026-03-19/final-message-healthwatch-stockport-thank-you-being-part-our-journey

It’s International Women’s Day!
We’re celebrating all the inspiring women here at Healthwatch Stockport, the amazing women we’ve continued to work alongside, and the strong and wonderful women out there.

Did you know that over 12 million people in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss?

Today is World Hearing Day - we’re raising awareness of our research into local NHS Hearing services, supporting residents and tagging in some amazing organisations.

We’ve shared our recent research into adult hearing services. Visit: www.healthwatchstockport.co.uk/report/2026-01-21/we-hear-you-report-2025

Need information or support?
Check out these organisations:

Communication tips - we all play a part!
Being mindful of what you can do to support makes a big difference, ensuring people are included, connected in social situations, can access vital information and participate fully in conversations.

Team member; Michelle, who has hearing loss herself, suggests the following:

☞ Get their full attention

☞ Face the person you’re talking to. If in a group, bring them to the centre and try not to talk over one another

☞ Say the person’s name before beginning a conversation. This gives the listener a chance to focus attention and reduces the chance of missing words at the beginning

☞ Speak clearly; naturally and avoid shouting or exaggerating mouth movements. Shouting distorts sound and may make lip reading more difficult.

☞ Avoid covering your mouth or turning away

☞ Reduce background noise; turn the tv down or move to a quieter spot. Smaller spaces tend to be better to avoid voices from carrying.

☞ If someone doesn’t understand you, repeat or phrase it differently

☞ Follow the advice of the person with communication needs

Learning to communicate is a huge part of making people feel seen, heard and involved, whether it’s a loved one, friend, colleague or neighbour.

This Saturday 7th March at 10am is our Bereaved Dads Walk in the Park for dads who have experienced loss of a baby through miscarriage, still birth or death of a baby under the age of two. We will meet at Heaton Park outside the boating lake cafe. This is a place to share stories and support others, but also just a general chat with no expectation or pressure. If you have experienced any of the above scan the QR code get booked on and come along.…

Men of Stockport, come and get your AAA screening!

This event is for men who are ages 64-66, who have not previously been screened.

This will be held at Stockport County FC on Monday 30th March 9am-4pm. Booking is essential, please call 0161 291 5716

For more information see the poster attached 👍

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus! A very
‘Happy St David’s day’ to our followers and community and a ‘Happy start of March’ to all!

Photo of our favourite owls near Woodsmoor station.

EVENT THIS WEEKEND WITH PLASTIC SHED ♻️ Visit them in Merseyway on Saturday 28th February from 11am - 3pm for fun crafts and a pollinator trail 🐝

You can create your own recycled plastic pollinator art and have a go at making your own mini mural designs. Make sure to give our giant bottle cap mural a visit too! 👀

The power to quit smoking is in your hands.

Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app today. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/