We're delighted to have celebrated the launch of our latest community partnership - joining together with a community interest company working to improve experiences of people using health and social care services in Bury.
Healthwatch Bury now has a fantastic new premises on Bolton Street in the centre of Bury, where it can meet with members of the public and provide accessible outreach and drop-in services.
Other local groups and charities, including Mind mental health charity, will also be working with them to offer support from the premises, which is fast becoming a vibrant community hub in the area.
When our commercial unit became available, we were keen to repurpose it for community use around the same time that Healthwatch was looking for a more accessible base to help it connect with more people from the Bury area.
Our charitable investment fund – the Irwell Valley Foundation – has also provided grant funding to help Healthwatch add the finishing touches inside, transforming it into a welcoming and friendly space.
This month the new venture held an open day welcoming the Mayor of Bury Councillor Khalid Hussain and the Mayoress Carol Berstein, along with other partners working in health and social care in the area. It followed an open day for local people last month inviting them inside to find out more about what they do and why.
Healthwatch, a not-for-profit community interest company, works to gather feedback and insight into local health and social care services to help ensure that people are at the heart of decisions and services which affect them.
Adam Webb, Chief Operating Officer there, said: "After a lot of hard work, we have a great space where we can have really important conversations about health and social care – both with members of the public, for whom getting our help to access services might be vital, and with our partners and stakeholder, who hold the power to make things better. The ability to do so in person, in a venue people know they can reach us, is so important and really increases the accessibility of our services.
“With huge thanks to Irwell Valley Homes, as their trust and belief in our cause has made this possible, and to the Irwell Valley Foundation, whose generous grant is helping us turn what was an old shop into a thriving community resource where people can feel comfortable.
"We are confident that Healthwatch Bury will continue to go from strength to strength, representing patient voice and helping people navigate the health and care system to get the help they need."
Our Chief Executive Sasha Deepwell added: “It is wonderful to see what Healthwatch have done with the premises in Bolton Street – creating a vibrant community hub serving local people.
“We know that by working in partnership with other local groups and organisations we can do more for the benefit of the customers and communities we serve, which is why we were so pleased to join together to deliver this worthwhile new project.
“We are proud to play a part in this exciting new venture, supporting people to live well in their homes and neighbourhoods across Bury.”