Voice It, Hear It

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/

27/04/2026

Rural Health & Wellbeing – Partner Briefing and Engagement Session

About this session
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 System 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.

Why this matters
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.

What we are exploring
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
The role of transport, community networks, and local support
What happens when support is not available or breaks down

What to expect from this session

A short overview of the engagement programme
Who we are hoping to reach and why
Ways your organisation or group can get involved
Options to host a conversation, support outreach, or share insights
Opportunity to ask questions and shape the approach

Why attend

Help ensure the voices of people in rural communities are heard
Influence how health and care services understand real-life experiences
Explore flexible ways to be involved that work for your organisation
Be part of shaping future support and services across Wiltshire

Who should attend

Community groups and organisations supporting people with long-term conditions
Rural networks, village groups, and local initiatives
Transport and community support providers
Any organisation working with or connected to rural residents

To find out more book tickets here:

11/11/2025

👉 Have you had any experience with Direct Payments / Personal Budgets? We want to hear from you! 🗣️

Direct Payments give you more choice and control over how your care and support needs are met, whether that’s personal care, short breaks or anything else that helps you live your life.

This engagement is for people who:

✔️ Use Direct Payments now
✔️ Were offered Direct Payments but didn’t take it up
✔️ Tried Direct Payments but later returned to council-arranged support
✔️ Haven’t heard of Direct Payments but think you might be eligible
✔️ Support someone with Direct Payments (paid or unpaid)
✔️ Is a professional who supports, advises, or works with people offered Direct Payments

👉 Share your experience and help shape support in Wiltshire. Fill out our survey and tell us as much as you would like in your own time, at your own pace: https://survey.communityfirst.org.uk/zs/3CBZvN

💬 Prefer to chat? Call, email, or meet us face-to-face… whatever works for you. Let us know you’ve got something to say, and we’ll listen.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 01380 722 475

🌟 Your voice. Your chance to shape support in Wiltshire. By telling us your story, you can help shape services for the better.

10/11/2025

We were pleased to welcome Damien from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to our CHOICE group meeting on Wednesday, 5th November. Damien shared inspiring ways that people with a variety of disabilities and needs can find peace in nature, even in busy locations. Together, we explored accessibility needs and discussed how Wiltshire Wildlife Trust sites can become even more inclusive. There are exciting plans for the New Year to make nature accessible for everyone! 🌿🌼

29/10/2025

We’re pleased to share the findings of the Community Equipment engagement led by Voice It, Hear It (VIHI) on behalf of Our Wiltshire (Wiltshire Council) and the (NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB)

Alongside our report, you can read Wiltshire Council and Medequip’s response, outlining the actions taken as a result of people sharing their experiences.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part. Your voices have made a difference and have truly been heard. 💬✨

🔗 https://www.communityfirst.org.uk/project/community-equipment-feedback/

Reviewing User Experiences of Medequip Community Equipment in Wiltshire.

17/10/2025

🩺 What is blood pressure and why is it important?

High blood pressure often has no signs, but it can have consequences for your health. NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB invites you to join a relaxed, informative online session to find out more about blood pressure.

✅ Why does blood pressure matter?
✅ How do I know if it's an issue for me, my family/friends? Or;
✅ Learning more to raise awareness in your community

💻 Online sessions are available on:

📅 11th November | 🕧 12:30–1:30pm
📅 9th December | 🕧 12:30–1:30pm

👥 Open to everyone, including community groups, leaders, voluntary/third sector organisations, care services and anyone working directly with the public.

To book your spot, email [email protected] with your preferred date.

15/10/2025

👉 Have you had any experience with Direct Payments / Personal Budgets? We want to hear from you! 🗣️

Direct Payments give you more choice and control over how your care and support needs are met, whether that’s personal care, short breaks or anything else that helps you live your life.

This engagement is for people who:

✔️ Use Direct Payments now
✔️ Were offered Direct Payments but didn’t take it up
✔️ Tried Direct Payments but later returned to council-arranged support
✔️ Haven’t heard of Direct Payments but think you might be eligible
✔️ Support someone with Direct Payments (paid or unpaid)
✔️ Is a professional who supports, advises, or works with people offered Direct Payments

👉 Share your experience and help shape support in Wiltshire. Fill out our survey and tell us as much as you would like in your own time, at your own pace: https://survey.communityfirst.org.uk/zs/3CBZvN

💬 Prefer to chat? Call, email, or meet us face-to-face… whatever works for you. Let us know you’ve got something to say, and we’ll listen.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 01380 722 475

🌟 Your voice. Your chance to shape support in Wiltshire. By telling us your story, you can help shape services for the better.

Your response would be greatly appreciated.

02/10/2025

🦷 Let’s Talk Teeth, Your Voice Still Matters 🗣️

Thank you to everyone who has already shared their experiences with dental care in Wiltshire, your responses have been fantastic and very insightful.

But we’re not done yet! There’s still time to have your say and help shape the future of oral health services in your community.

We’re especially keen to hear from:
✅ People living with dementia
✅ People with learning disabilities or SEND
✅ People with mental health diagnoses
✅ People in care homes or receiving home care
✅ Unpaid carers

Whether your dental experience has been positive, challenging, or somewhere in between, your voice matter.

📋 Take the survey today: https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/6aaZpm

📞 Prefer to chat? Call us on 01380 722475 or email [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.
🔄 Please share this post with your networks. The more voices we hear, the stronger the impact.