Your experiences are key in shaping the future of the young people's mental health services in Essex. Young people’s mental health is hugely important and you can help to change local services for the better. If you have experience of accessing local mental health services and you are aged 23 or under, please get in touch!

The volunteering programme includes:

• Create videos, online blogs and respond to other digital tasks
• Share your experiences, views and opinions to help Commissioners develop local mental health services
• Attend Young Mental Health Ambassador online meetings and build your network

If you are interested in joining, please apply via this website or email renee.robey@healthwatchessex.org.uk

Would you like to make a difference to health & social care in Essex? Healthwatch Essex is recruiting for volunteers to attend crucial meetings and represent Healthwatch Essex & local people.

Home based (via email, phone Skype) with occasional meetings

A great opportunity to have your say in relation to health and social care services in Essex.  This volunteer role is a chance to meet other people with similar interests and understand their experiences, right across the county.

For more information and how to apply click the 'Send me application details' button

Starting in October, the Research Ambassador Network will host monthly meetings. At these sessions, we will try out different research methods, assess academic literature, and conduct data analysis related to our projects. The sessions will be supplemented by a Research Forum, where external speakers with academic and clinical expertise will be invited to talk to us. Members will also be encouraged to write for our monthly Research Reflections blog, with our full support.

The Research Ambassador Network is an opportunity for members to develop their research skills in a charity setting, build connections with others from different academic and professional backgrounds, and share their own experiences and expertise in a supportive environment. The Network is open to anyone from a range of educational and professional backgrounds, including:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate (taught and research) students who are keen to gain valuable experience conducting health and social care research in the voluntary sector.

• Medical, health and social care students and staff who would like to learn more about research and the role of lived experience in transforming services.

• Professionals from a range of industries who are looking to gain more qualitative research experience, particularly relating to health and social care.

You do not need to have prior experience of research, just a commitment to learning about the role that lived experience research can play in improving health and social care. Our meetings will typically last between one to two hours at a time convenient for members. Network members will be expected to spend some time preparing for meetings, either by reading suggested literature or analysing data provided.

For more information and how to apply, click the 'Send me application details' button.