Healthwatch Rochdale Staff Member and Volunteer recognised for positive work during Covid 19.

Naomi Kenyon, Healthwatch Rochdale Volunteer and Involvement Officer, has received a letter from The High Sheriff of Lancashire thanking her for her work on behalf of the people of Lancashire during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Naomi created and made up “Bags of Happiness” for older people living in isolation or with a life-long condition in the Whitworth area. With the help of local businesses and a grant from both Whitworth Community Partnership and Alpo, Naomi created bags loosely based on the 5 ways to wellbeing. Naomi also hosts The Whitworth Food Share Box which is based on the principle of “local residents donating food and other items to benefit those in need in their community”. The box that Naomi hosts is supported by the community and is in collaboration with The Lighthouse, a Food Share in Whitworth where Naomi also Volunteers monthly. They also received a huge donation of items from Whitworth Community High School and are supported each month from Asda Community Champions.

Working in collaboration with the One Community Women of Whitworth Project Naomi worked alongside many others within her community to help provide over 100 school children with a packed lunch every day during the October Half Term

Javed Rehman is a Healthwatch Rochdale Advisory Group Member, this is a voluntary position to help ensure that lived patient experience is used to influence local health and care services.

Javed has set up local organisation Bridging communities which has been recognised by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Sir Warren J Smith KCVO KStJ JP, for serving the community during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Javed has spoken of his concerns about government messaging not being fully inclusive and comprehensible to certain parts of the community and has worked with Healthwatch Rochdale and other providers to help provide inclusive messaging. In addition, Bridging Communities has ensured that those that required further assistance were connected with the appropriate services and that food parcels or appropriate help was given. Javed has also been challenging the equality agenda with statutory services at a local level and is part of the Greater Manchester Equality Alliance.