Job Description

Healthwatch is the independent consumer champion for Health and Social Care. We ensure that NHS and social care leaders hear the voices of those who use their services and use feedback to improve care.

We are looking to recruit an Engagement Officer to join a well-established team working across and representing the local community within Sunderland. We are looking to appoint someone skilled in:

Engaging with a wide range of communities of interest

Designing, delivering and evaluating a range of community based engagement activities

Developing effective and positive working relationships with organisations and networks within the voluntary and community sector

Gathering, analysing and presenting the views of local people in a user-friendly reports.

Collaborating with local health and care providers.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to help local people have their say, we'd love to hear from you.

The role will require you to have access to a car and a full, clean UK driving license and work outside of office hours on occasion.

If you are passionate about capturing the voice of local people, to improve experiences in relation to health and care services in Sunderland we'd love to hear from you.

To book an informal discussion with Anna Gillingham (Project Lead) or Helen Dent (Project Development Manager) please email anna.gillingham@pcp.uk.net or helen.dent@pcp.uk.net

Closing date for applications is: Sunday 4th January 2026 at midnight.

Job Purpose

Support the development, delivery and analysis of a range of engagement activities linked to gathering the views and experiences of health and social care services.

Assist with the development and maintenance of positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders within the Health and Social care sector.

Assist with the promotion of HWS work to the wider public.

Support the delivery of the signposting function of HWS.

Support with the development, delivery and implementation of the HWS annual work plan.

1. Proactively engage with members of the local community, especially those facing the greatest health inequalities, to listen to and collect feedback.

2. Organise and deliver a range of community based engagement activities, including events, workshops and outreach activities etc.

3. Design and evaluate engagement activities that are delivered in the local community.

4. Support with the analysis of engagement findings and production and presenting of research reports to a range of audiences associated with work plan items.

5. Support the delivery of the HWS Youthwatch workplan, including the delivery of Youthwatch meetings.

6. Proactively identify opportunities for co-production and collaboration with key partners to support the delivery of the work of HWS.

7. Facilitate consultation and co-production activity to ensure voices are heard and acted upon in service design and delivery

8. Support with the recruitment, support, training and motivation of volunteers.

9. Identify and develop effective positive relationships with other organisations, networks and forums in order to obtain the views of people they work with or support or represent.

10. Work in partnership with local health and care providers to support the gathering and sharing of patient and service user feedback to improve the services they provide to the people of Sunderland.

11. Contribute to marketing activity, via promotional materials, social media, website, press releases, e-newsletters, etc.

12. Attend a variety of external meetings, forums and groups and events to represent and promote the work of HWS.

13. Support the continued collection and collation of up to date local information to be used as part of the signposting function.

14. Lead on the dissemination of key and relevant information to residents of Sunderland to support them to make informed decisions, navigate the health and social care system, make complaints etc.

15. Provide evidence based ideas for the workplan to be presented to the HWS Advisory board for consideration.

16. Conduct personal, venue and activity risk assessments as required.

17. Work flexibly as part of the Healthwatch team, providing cover for colleagues as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels within Healthwatch.

18. Contribute to the recording of engagement data into relevant monitoring and reporting systems, including inputting of information into databases.

Please note salary will be pro rata for part time hous

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 14 months

Pay: From 26,532.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sunderland SR2 8AH