Reaching People Where They Are: Healthwatch at Redcar Central Library
During the session, we spoke with a wide range of local residents, providing information on blood pressure monitoring, diabetes, and cancer awareness, alongside general health advice and signposting. Our blood pressure activity helped us spark conversations about prevention, early intervention, and managing long-term conditions. People were able to ask questions informally, often sharing concerns they had not felt able to raise elsewhere.
Listening to Lived Experience
We also had the opportunity to spend time with the library’s Knit and Natter group, where members openly shared their recent experiences of accessing healthcare. While individuals spoke positively about nursing care, access to GPs and specialist services remains a significant challenge.
One woman told us she had waited nine months to see a doctor after being discharged from hospital following a pulmonary embolism, despite having multiple appointments with a practice nurse. Another person explained that after sustaining a knee injury, they discovered they were 74th on the waiting list to see a musculoskeletal specialist.
We also heard concerns about communication and coordination of care, including from a woman who was informed of her cancer diagnosis by letter, highlighting the emotional impact that fragmented systems can have on patients.
These conversations are vital. They help us understand where services are working well and where people are struggling, enabling Healthwatch to amplify residents’ voices and feed real experiences back into the system to support improvement.
Strengthening Partnerships
Our visit also provided a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from the Changing Futures Team, who deliver information and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Based in the library during opening hours, their drop‑in service offers a welcoming and practical point of contact for some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
The team shared details of how people can access support outside of library hours:
- Out-of-hours homelessness support: Call the council on 01642 774774 and select the homelessness service option
- Beyond Housing (out-of-hours provider): 03450 655 656
Being able to share this information directly with residents strengthens local safety nets and ensures people know where to turn when they need help most.
Making a Difference Together
Our visit to Redcar Central Library clearly demonstrated the value of bringing Healthwatch into community spaces. By listening, informing, and signposting, we are helping people feel heard while building a clearer picture of local health and care experiences.
Healthwatch will continue to work alongside community partners to ensure voices from across our area shape better, more responsive services for everyone.
