Healthwatch South Gloucestershire

10/06/2026

Have you been affected by conversations about your weight in a health, care or community setting?

If you’re aged 18+ and have personal experience to share, we want to hear from you.

Join our in-person Yate focus group on Wednesday 24th June, 11am - 1pm. You'll receive a £20 high street shopping voucher for your time.

Interested? Fill out our online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/qDsuNb1zDj

We’re running small, friendly focus groups across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to help improve how services talk about weight, so people feel listened to, respected and supported.

03/06/2026

It's and we'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers!

You've helped us listen to people's health and social care experiences, so that we can make sure NHS and social care leaders hear our voices.

You've supported us with engagement, research, admin tasks, data entry - and so much more! We couldn't do what we do without you.

Want to get involved? Find out more about volunteering with us: https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/what-can-i-do-volunteer

02/06/2026

How does economic deprivation impact people's access to health and social care in South Gloucestershire?

We heard about:
🚗 Unreliable public transport - especially in rural areas
💻 Limited or no internet access
❓ Not knowing where to turn for support

Read our latest report: https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/report/2026-06-02/report-economic-deprivation-and-access-healthcaresupport

26/05/2026

Have you been affected by conversations about your weight in a health, care or community setting?

If you’re aged 18+ and have personal experience to share, we want to hear from you.

Join our in-person Kingswood focus group on Monday 1st June, 1:30pm - 3pm. You'll also receive a £20 voucher for your time.

Interested? Fill out our online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/qDsuNb1zDj

We’re running small, friendly focus groups across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (with online options too) to help improve how services talk about weight, so people feel listened to, respected and supported.

Keep an eye on our social media for future dates!

26/05/2026

Volunteering with Healthwatch is a great way to help ensure local people’s voices are heard and to support improvements in health and social care services.

We offer flexible volunteering roles, full support, and all the training you need to get started.

🔗 Visit our website to find out more: https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/what-can-i-do-volunteer

📩 Or email: [email protected]

18/05/2026

Have you been affected by conversations about your weight in a health, care or community setting?

If you’re aged 18+ and have personal experience to share, we want to hear from you.

Join our in-person Kingswood focus group on Monday 1st June, 1:30pm - 3pm. You'll also receive a £20 voucher for your time.

Interested? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] for the full details.

We’re running small, friendly focus groups across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (with online options too) to help improve how services talk about weight, so people feel listened to, respected and supported.

Keep an eye on our social media for future dates!

28/04/2026

Our Healthwatch team are looking forward to being part of the Yate Ageing Better Festival!

Come along and enjoy a showcase of local groups and activities, find support from information services, and join in with wellbeing and creative performances.

🌟Save the Date🌟 Our Annual Yate Ageing Better Festival is back!🎉

🗓 Wednesday 15th July
🕙10am-2pm
📍Yate Shopping Centre

Are you a service or community group who help people live and age better? Or would you like to perform in our entertainment programme?
👀 Click the link or visit our website to apply! https://forms.gle/6bu74pHLzN5yE3Zr9

✨Stay tuned for more details and we can't wait to see you there✨

24/04/2026

Have you read South Gloucestershire Council's new Best Start in Life plan?

It sets out a shared commitment to improving support for families and outcomes for young children in South Gloucestershire.

Find out more: https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/news/2026-04-23/giving-every-child-best-start-life

09/04/2026

Did you know that health and care organisations may use an AI tool called 'ambient scribes' to capture speech or conversations during appointments?

The NHS has put together guidance for patients and service users around:
✔️ Being informed about ambient scribes
❌ Objecting to ambient scribes
✔️️ Using safe products
✔️ Making sure notes and summaries are accurate

https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/advice-and-information/2026-04-08/using-ai-enabled-ambient-scribing-products-health-and-care

Guidance is also available for healthcare workers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology, such as a computer program or a piece of software, that can learn and perform tasks that would normally need a human.

02/04/2026

Resident doctors are taking national strike action from Tuesday 7th April until Monday 13 April. Find out more: https://www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/news/2026-04-02/nhs-industrial-action-7th-april-13th-april-2026

If you have an appointment during this time, please attend your appointment as normal unless you have been contacted.