Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do, no matter your background or experience. 

Here at NWAS, there are a number of ways you can get involved, one being our Patient and Public Panel (PPP). Our panel gives members of the public a voice, the chance to have your views acted upon and the opportunity to influence improvements in our emergency, patient transport and 111 services.

No matter how busy you are our flexible approach to volunteering means you can get involved in a way that suits you best.

To get involved you must be 16 and over, live in Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester or Glossop (Derbyshire) and not work for NWAS.

Benefits of volunteering:

  • The feeling of giving something back to your community.
  • A chance to gain skills and experience.
  • It can strengthen your CV.
  • A chance to make friends and reduce isolation.
  • It helps to increase self-esteem and confidence.
  • A chance to make a difference to service delivery or be an advocate for positive change.
  • Encourages personal pride and fulfilment – the feeling of being valued.
  • Volunteering is good for both your mind and body.

Find out what some of our panel members had to say:

Oscar

Why were you interested in joining the panel? I was interested in joining the panel to give something back to the Service and to also boost my general knowledge on NWAS. Paramedic is also one of my favourable career choices to take up in the future. Joining the panel will also give me good experiences for later in life and gives an advantage of meeting new people.

What are you hoping to achieve by joining the panel. Through joining the panel I hope to achieve improving my knowledge of the Ambulance Service and how it can improve people’s knowledge throughout the region.

Any advice you would like to give other young people who may be interested in joining the panel. I would tell them to just go for it because of the experience and people you will meet and most of all the opportunity to make change in your local area.

Veronika

Veronika is hoping to become a paramedic soon, and would like to be involved in some way with her local ambulance trust. She has used North West Ambulance Service before and is also involved with the local mental health team and has experience with using the service at different levels, these included 111,patient transport and a 999 call out. She thinks the panel is a good idea about local services, needs and ideas for improvement.

Lucy

“I love that I have been given the chance to voice my opinion as one of the younger members of the panel, especially as I am interested in a career within healthcare.”

Does this sound something you would like to get involved in? Express your interest to find out more information.

Alternatively if you have any queries email a member of our PPP team – [email protected]

British Youth Council | Youth Volunteering (byc.org.uk)

British Youth Council | Engaging Young People In Healthcare (byc.org.uk)