About

We are Involving People

Our aim is to improve health and care outcomes by involving patients and the public in the design, delivery and transformation of health services.

Our values

  • Social justice

    We recognise that people across our diverse communities experience health and health care differently, and that some experience health inequalities. We are committed to enabling those affected to have a voice in shaping the solutions to the issues they face.

  • Collaboration

    Help & Care formed ‘Wessex Voices’ in 2014 in partnership with NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I) and the local Healthwatch based in Wessex (Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight). We are continuing this important work and partnership under our new identity, Involving People.

  • Innovation

    We work with health colleagues to advise, guide and support meaningful engagement with patients and the public. We offer training and development courses and a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) toolkit to equip organisations to engage local people effectively.

  • Personal

    We ensure that people’s voices are at the centre of service design, delivery and transformation. Our work with Wessex Cancer Alliance has established a Patient and Public Involvement Network – a group of enthusiastic and committed volunteers who share their lived experience of cancer to contribute to cancer projects and initiatives.

Meet the team

Our dedicated team work on a variety of areas and projects to involve patients and the public in making health services better.

  • Mike Wood

    Cancer PPI Head of Programme

    Mike worked in a number of roles in the NHS for 30 years, including as a Chief Executive. Recently he has broadened his horizons to include homelessness, housing and the voluntary sectors. He is passionate about patient and public involvement in improving services and believes that fully engaged patients result in better services for patients, carers and providers.

  • Steve Bond

    Cancer PPI Head of Programme

    Before joining the team, Steve previously worked in the charity sector and has a background in data analysis - where he led on developing innovative methods to support people and organisations make decisions. He has a passion for ensuring that inequalities don’t persist in health and social care, and in the wider world.

  • Annie Dimmick

    Right by You, Carer and Public Engagement Coordinator

    Annie supports service users and carers to contribute to and influence projects like Right by You, a new approach and pilot project from Wessex Cancer Alliance to provide personalised care. She’s also involved in a range of project work - from analysing patient satisfaction surveys to interviewing patients with lived experience.

  • Sue Bickler

    Project Manager

    Sue brings together the local Healthwatch from Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight to engage across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS). This partnership supports the ICS to develop effective patient and public involvement. Sue has also been involved with a variety of other projects, including Our Cancer Our Way which is coproducing improvements to children, teenager and young adult cancer services in Wessex.