Volunteer Become a trustee for Healthwatch MK CIO: the local champion for people using health and social care in Milton Keynes.

What will you be doing?

Healthwatch Milton Keynes is the independent champion for people who use publicly funded health and social care in Milton Keynes. Our role and statutory responsibilities are to gather the views of residents and people who use health and social care services in Milton Keynes and use the evidence of need and experience to influence positive change and transformation in care. Healthwatch MK CIO has up to five positions open on our Board of Trustees. Our AGM isn’t until later in the year. Successful applicants will be co-opted onto the Board of Trustees with the approval of members. Providing you with a light touch induction and time to familiarise yourself with our unique role and responsibilities, you’ll have the opportunity to formally apply for full Trusteeship in the late Autumn. Do you want to help ensure that the people of Milton Keynes have a say in the way health and social care services are designed and delivered, and in influencing service change for the better? You may live in Milton Keynes, have an interest in or experiences of health and social care services, or you may be an active member of your community with the passion to make a difference.   The Board of Trustees is the main governing body of Healthwatch MK CIO and is responsible for setting strategic objectives and ensuring that Healthwatch Milton Keynes delivers is statutory duties. We are currently in the third year of our 2022-25 strategy and a key objective is to increase our financial sustainability. We are doing this by exploring the potential for our organisation to deliver services and support to the community beyond and separate to the local Healthwatch service. This ambitious journey will need trustees with a broad interest in voluntary sector services as well as a passion for upholding residents’ rights to receive high quality health and social care services. Healthwatch MK CIO speaks for all residents of Milton Keynes, and we want to ensure that our Board of Trustees represents our population. We greatly welcome applications from residents with disabilities and sensory impairments, residents from ethnic minority backgrounds, young residents and residents who identify as LGBTQ+.  if you feel you have something to bring to our organisation as a Trustee, please do apply, or contact us to have an informal discussion.

What are we looking for?

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

 Good communicator, capable of playing an active role at meetings and contribute to informing policy decisions Good analytical skills and awareness and understanding of research, in order to identify gaps in feedback and the provision and quality of local care services Analytical intellect and financial awareness to guide decision making in determining strategic approaches and how the organisation’s budget is spent Takes account of a range of views and to represent the views of others Computer literacy, practical skills in office-based software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and a proactive approach to picking up new IT skills

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF

Understanding of good governance principles Understanding of what is expected from a position of civic responsibility Understanding of equality legislation, its relevance and application Understanding of NHS and social care commissioning Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults Community engagement, outreach and representing the views of others Understanding of health and social care issues and policy, and an understanding of the importance of public involvement in these issues

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF

Representing the views of others and influencing the planning, commissioning and provision of services, including health and social care Working or volunteering in a voluntary organisation or community group Project management, oversight of projects and shaping projects

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Open-minded and inclusive, able to act as a representative of the entire spectrum of the local population Interest in how public involvement can shape health and social care services and a desire to promote it A commitment to growing an organisation that promotes better health and social care outcomes for all Commitment to the aims, objectives and values of Healthwatch MK CIO. Commitment to promoting awareness of Healthwatch MK CIO Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the organisation. Has credibility, integrity and honesty, with a commitment to probity and to be independent of any special interest Commitment to adhering to the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as the Nolan Principles

What difference will you make?

As part of our board you will support and shape our work and strategic direction, as well as help us achieve our purpose to ensure that people’s lived experiences are used to design and improve health and social care services.  Being a Trustee at Healthwatch MK CIO is a rewarding, interesting and challenging role. As a Trustee you play an important part in the development of the organisation, working with the Chief Executive to deliver a high quality and effective local Healthwatch. With sustainability strategies being developed, and opportunities to diversify our organisation’s profile beyond our Healthwatch remit available, this is a role that will provide value to trustees supporting the Charity in its future development. This is an exciting and challenging time to join our Board. As well as having a key role in maintaining our role as the independent champion for people using local health and social care services, your experience, expertise and guardianship will support our strategic journey to grow and sustain our charity into the future.