Voice It, Hear It

30/09/2026

Could your experience help create a more inclusive and accessible future for Salisbury?

Disability Interest Group of Salisbury - DIGS is currently looking for new Trustees to join its board and help shape the future of the organisation as it works towards CIO status.

DIGS is passionate about improving accessibility, supporting disabled people and their families, and helping create a more inclusive Salisbury. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience within a charity setting to bring their skills, ideas and enthusiasm to a local organisation making a real impact.

If you'd like to find out more, please contact [email protected].

22/09/2026

Do you live in rural Wiltshire with a long-term health condition? We want to hear from you, especially if you have diabetes or COPD. You can find out more and complete the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/RuralHealthWilts, or contact us by calling 01380 722475 (and asking for the Voice It, Hear It team) you can also email: [email protected].

16/09/2026

📢 Your Voice Matters!

Do you live in a rural part of Wiltshire and have experience of living with diabetes or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)?

Voice It, Hear It is looking for people to take part in the Rural Health Engagement Project and help us better understand the challenges, experiences and opportunities for improving healthcare in rural areas.

We have a survey here: https://survey.communityfirst.org.uk/zs/7aCASN

So please complete that if you haven’t already, but we are hoping to speak to people with experience of these specific medical conditions (diabetes and COPD) in more detail as part of the project.

Your voice can help influence future services and ensure that people living with long-term conditions receive the support they need. Whether you've recently been diagnosed or have been managing your condition for many years, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more or register your interest, please get in touch today via [email protected].

27/08/2026

📢 Research Opportunity for Children, Young People and Families

Are you interested in helping shape future research into children and young people's wellbeing? The Bath Mental Health Research Group is currently recruiting participants for two research studies:

🔹 The Pathways Study is inviting families with children aged 9–12 to take part in research.

🔹 A separate study is inviting young people aged 13–18 to get involved in an online research study called Unlock Wellbeing.

Taking part in research is a valuable way to share experiences, contribute to knowledge and help improve support for children, young people, and families.

Find out more using the links below:

https://bathmhrg.org/the-pathways-study-is-inviting-families-with-children-aged-9-12-to-take-part-in-research/

https://bathmhrg.org/we-are-inviting-young-people-aged-13-18-to-take-part-in-new-research/

Do you want to improve your mood while helping research? Are you aged 13-18? Take part in an online research study.

25/08/2026

🚌 Good news for disabled bus pass holders!

From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass in England will be able to travel by bus free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The change removes current time restrictions and will help more people access work, education, healthcare and social activities, while reducing transport costs.

You can find out more via the Gov.uk website here 👇
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-bus-travel-247-for-disabled-people-as-prime-minister-takes-further-action-to-ease-cost-of-living

Eligible disabled people across England will get free bus travel all day, every day, after the Prime Minister announced today (Tuesday 18 August) that the government will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes.

08/07/2026

Voice It, Hear It (VIHI) is carrying out independent engagement on behalf of the BSW Integrated Care Board to better understand the experiences of people living with long-term health conditions in rural communities.

We want to hear about what is working well, the challenges people face, and what could make the biggest difference in the future.

You can take part by:

📝 Completing our short anonymous survey
📞 Requesting a telephone conversation with a member of the VIHI team
📮 Asking for a paper questionnaire to be sent to you

All responses can be anonymous, and you can share as much or as little information as you wish.

Take part here: https://survey.communityfirst.org.uk/zs/7aCASN

To arrange a telephone conversation or request a paper copy, please email: [email protected]

Your experiences can help shape future priorities and services across Wiltshire.

25/06/2026

📣 Share your experience of integrated working

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB is inviting frontline staff and practitioners to take part in a short survey as part of the BSW Neighbourhood Health Development Programme.

The survey is being run ahead of a cross-system workshop on 9th July, to help ensure the discussion reflects what is really happening across the system.

🕒 Takes just a few minutes

💬 Focuses on what’s working well, what makes it more difficult and what matters most in day-to-day practice

Insights gathered will help shape the workshop and will be shared with attendees and the Integrated Care Alliance.

👉 Complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/QYr6WtpwVB

Please consider completing the survey and sharing it with colleagues and networks - the more responses received, the better the session will reflect frontline experience.

02/06/2026

Living with Type 2 Diabetes can be challenging.

Please see below for an opportunity from researchers at the University of Bath and Queen Mary University of London, who are inviting individuals with Type 2 Diabetes to take part in workshops to help design a digital tool to support diabetes distress.

Who can take part?

✅ Aged 18+
✅ Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
✅ Living in the UK

Workshops begin June 2026.

To find out more or take part, please contact the researcher:
Sarah Bennett – [email protected]

🔗 Or complete the survey: https://tinyurl.com/T2DWorkshops

20/05/2026

Rural Health & Wellbeing – Partner Briefing and Engagement Session.
10th June 2026 4pm- 5pm https://buytickets.at/communityfirst/2225464

Voice It Hear It (VIHI) is carrying out a programme of engagement on behalf of the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Alliance and Wiltshire Council to better understand the experiences of people living in rural communities with long-term conditions.

We are inviting organisations, groups, and community networks who support these residents to join a short session to hear more about the work and explore how you can get involved.

People living in rural areas often face unique challenges in managing their health — including access to services, transport, and staying connected to support.
This work is focused on ensuring those real-life experiences are heard and used to shape how services and support are designed in the future.

We are looking to understand:
How people manage their condition day-to-day
What support works well — including health services, community groups, and informal support
Where things feel difficult, delayed, or disconnected
What helps people stay well — and what makes this harder
What happens when support is not available or breaks down

If you want to find out more and potentially participate you can join the next briefing session to be hosted on the 10th June 2026 4pm- 5pm or please feel free to make direct contact: [email protected]

07/05/2026

The Voice It, Hear It team has published a report focused on Direct Payments.

The report brings together learning and insights from engagement with people who receive direct payments and those who support them. It outlines key issues raised, practical barriers, what works well, and areas where change could improve how direct payments are used in practice.

Thank you to the individuals, carers, and professionals who supported this project by sharing their lived experiences through one-to-one conversations, alongside professional knowledge and insight gained through direct delivery and support work.

To hear the voices of those with lived experience, download the full report on our website:

🔗 https://www.communityfirst.org.uk/project/direct-payments/