Healthwatch Calderdale

17/09/2026

Meaningful engagement is more than asking people what they think 💬

It's reaching people who aren't always heard. Listening without judgement. Building trust. And most importantly, making sure people can see that sharing their experience matters.

That's what we know how to do as Healthwatch. And now with our launch in October, as Veera, we can do even more of it! 💜

We're here to bring communities and organisations together, turn real experiences into meaningful insights, and help people's voices influence change.

Because better decisions start with better listening 👂

15/09/2026

Healthwatch is continuing AND we're growing what we can do 💙

As Veera, we'll continue all our Healthwatch work across Kirklees and Calderdale - listening to your experiences of health and social care and making sure your voice is heard by the people who can make a difference.

But Veera means we can listen more widely too 👂

We will want to hear about:
❤️Health and social care
🏠Housing
🚘Travel and transport
🎓Learning and education
🌳Community and your local area
💵Money and financial support

Because our experiences don't fit neatly into boxes. All of these different things can affect how we live and feel.

Whatever your experience, Talk to Veera 📢

We're here to listen, understand, and help your voice influence positive change

07/09/2026

Your experiences can help make health and social care better.

At Healthwatch Calderdale, we listen to what local people tell us about health and social care. We listen to what's working well, what isn't, and what needs to change.

We make sure those experiences are heard by people who plan and provide services, helping to influence improvements across Calderdale.

Want to see the difference your voices have helped make?
2025/26 Annual report:https://healthwatchkirkleesandcalderdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HWKHWC-Annual-Report-25to26.pdf
2024/25 Annual report:https://healthwatchkirkleesandcalderdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/HW-Kirk-Cal-Annual-Report.pdf
2023/24 Annual report:https://healthwatchkirkleesandcalderdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/annual-report-FINAL.pdf

As Parliament considers the future of Healthwatch, we're proud of what we've achieved alongside local people and of the important role local Healthwatch continues to play in making sure your voices are heard.

Kate Dearden MP for Halifax Josh Fenton-Glynn - we'd encourage you to take a look at the impact Healthwatch is making in Calderdale.

And to everyone locally: keep sharing your experience with us. Your voice matters.

03/09/2026

How long should families have to wait for answers about dementia?

The BBC has highlighted the experience of families facing long waits for a dementia diagnosis - an issue that we feel is familiar to many people locally.

When we spoke to more than 130 people affected by dementia across Kirklees and Calderdale, we heard similar experiences. People told us about delays in getting a diagnosis, concerns initially being put down to ageing, and not always knowing where to turn to for support.

Our research also highlighted how much pressure this can place on families and unpaid carers.

BBC story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgyp2n1e75o

Our local report:https://healthwatchkirkleesandcalderdale.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Understanding-Experiences-of-Dementia-Care-and-Support-in-Kirklees-and-Calderdale.pdf

What's your experience?
Have you or someone you care for experienced difficulties getting a dementia diagnosis or accessing support afterwards?

Hundreds of families say they have had to wait months or even years for a dementia diagnosis for a loved one.

01/09/2026

We’re excited to share an important update about the future of our charity...

From September, you’ll start to see a new name and look as our charity becomes Veera.

But our Healthwatch work is not ending.

We will continue to listen to people’s experiences of health and social care in Kirklees and Calderdale and make sure those voices are heard by the people who plan and provide services.
Veera will build on this work and give us more opportunities to listen to people about other issues that affect their lives.

Our new name reflects how we work:
V – Voice
Giving people the chance to share what matters to them.
E – Engage
Going out into communities and listening.
E – Empower
Helping more people feel able to have their say.
R – Research
Turning people’s experiences into useful evidence.
A – Action
Using what we learn to help influence positive change.

Voice. Engage. Empower. Research. Action.

These five ideas are at the heart of Veera.

However, our Healthwatch work will still continue.

We still want to hear about your experiences of GPs, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, mental health services, social care, and other health and care services.

Whether something went well, something went wrong, or you have an idea about how services could improve, we still want to hear from you.

Alongside this work, Veera will allow us to listen to people about a wider range of topics, such as housing, transport, education, money and community life.

Our aim remains simple: to make sure people’s experiences are heard, understood, and used to help make things better.

You’ll start to see the Veera name and branding during September, before our official launch in October.

Throughout the change, our work continues as usual. You can still talk to us, share your experiences, take part in our projects and get involved.

If you have any questions or concerns about what this change means, please get in touch; we'll be happy to talk them through.

20/08/2026

A big thank you to Joanne from Healthwatch Calderdale for joining us on our weekly litter pick this morning!
We absolutely love it when other organisations take an interest in the work we do in our local community and, even better, come along and get involved!
Thank you, Joanne, for giving up your time, getting stuck in and helping us make a difference. It was lovely to have you with us!

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14/08/2026

12/08/2026

Have you or someone you know been affected by cancer?

Help shape the future of cancer treatment by sharing your views on receiving some treatments away from hospital.

The survey is open to anyone directly or indirectly affected by cancer. Please complete the Microsoft Form ➡️ https://buff.ly/Ln61CYh

03/08/2026

💜 Have you used maternity or neonatal services in Calderdale, Kirklees, or Wakefield?

Our survey is now live, and we'd love to hear about your experience.

You can share as much or as little as you like. Every response helps improve care for local families.

Take our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/maternity-neonatal-MNVP/

Please share this with friends, family, colleagues and anyone who may have used these services.

Thank you ☺️

23/07/2026

Congratulations to Healthwatch Kirklees for achieving the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award, which recognises the high standard of volunteering practice! Volunteers play an important role at Healthwatch Kirklees and Calderdale, as they help the charity collect feedback on the health and social care experiences of local people to share with NHS leaders and other decision-makers to help improve standards in care.
Read more in the link below -
https://tslkirklees.org.uk/healthwatch-kirklees-calderdale-celebrate-volunteering-award/