The new Healthwatch Sheffield contract
Funding for local Healthwatch comes from the Department of Health and Social Care. They give money to Councils in England, who then commission the Healthwatch locally. Our previous contract - also held by Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) - came to an end in 2024. This meant there was a tender process, where the Council was looking for an organisation to host Healthwatch in the city.
We are pleased to share that, after a successful bid, VAS has been awarded the Healthwatch Sheffield contract again for the next ten years.
“We are thrilled to have been entrusted with the Healthwatch Sheffield contract for another decade. At VAS, our vision is for people in Sheffield to have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives, reach their potential, and thrive equally. Delivering the Healthwatch contract is a valued strand of our work, where we can reach out to all communities and value people as experts in delivering change”
Helen Sims, CEO of VAS
Healthwatch Sheffield serves as an independent champion for the people of Sheffield, giving individuals from all walks of life, and all ages, a platform to share their experiences and influence decisions about local services. The extension of this contract reaffirms the trust placed in VAS and Healthwatch to connect with communities, working to ensure that the views of Sheffield residents are heard and acted upon.
This this will ensure that we can continue our vital role in amplifying the voices of local people and driving real, positive change in health and social care services across the city. The team will continue to be based in The Circle in Sheffield city centre; you’ll be able to contact us in the same way as before, to share your experiences of health and social care, or to ask us for information and advice.
“We firmly believe that if you listen to people’s views, and involve them in shaping services, those services will work more effectively. Our focus has always been on people – their experiences, needs, and ideas for improvement. This long contract extension gives us stability to continue and deepen that work, particularly in communities where people have more difficulty getting the right care, and where health is poorer. Our work is for everyone; if you use health services like GPs, pharmacists, dentists, or hospitals - or if you or your family members might need social care services to support you with every day life, then your views can make a difference. We’d love to hear from you”
Lucy Davies, Healthwatch Sheffield Chief Officer
The next ten years promise to be a time of transformation for health and social care services in Sheffield. Healthwatch Sheffield and VAS will be at the forefront of ensuring these changes are informed by the voices of the people who matter most – the residents of Sheffield.
“Listening to the voices of local people is at the heart of what we do and Healthwatch Sheffield plays a vital role in representing them and being our critical friend.
“It brings the voices and views of people with lived experience together which is integral to helping us shape our services appropriately. We have a large ongoing transformation programme in adult health and social care and we’re making much progress in a challenging landscape. There are challenges to overcome, but working together with our partners like Healthwatch will ensure that we continue to make positive change.
“Sheffield has adopted a best practice approach in commissioning Healthwatch over a period of 10 years to ensure continuity of Healthwatch provision and enable us to build a long-term arrangement.”
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of Adult Health and Social Care Committee at Sheffield City Council
