With PAVO since:
2018
Current role:
Interim Senior Officer Health & Wellbeing
Leisure time:
Family, walking, catching up with friends
Wellbeing tip:
It’s okay to say no.
Working days:
Monday to Friday
Sharon Healey
Volunteer Opportunity: Help Amplify Mental Health Patient Voices on the Clywedog Ward
Are you passionate about improving mental health services? Do you have personal experience with mental health inpaitent care or caring for someone who has? The Powys Patients’ Council (PPC) is looking for a compassionate volunteer to join our team and make a difference in the lives of patients on the Clywedog Ward at Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital.
Your lived experience is the most important qualification for this role. Whether you’ve received care in an acute mental health setting or supported someone who has, your insight and empathy will help amplify the voices of patients who need it most.
The Powys Patients’ Council (PPC), funded by Powys Teaching Health Board and facilitated by PAVO’s Mental Health Team, gives a voice to people in acute mental health settings. Through regular, confidential, patient-only meetings, PPC volunteers with lived experience create a safe space for patients to share feedback, ask questions, and express their views on the care they receive.
This role is a meaningful opportunity to ensure patient voices are heard and to contribute to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
About the Role
As a PPC volunteer, you’ll create a safe space for patients to share feedback and ideas, helping to improve care and foster meaningful change. Your lived experience, whether as a patient or a supporter, makes you uniquely qualified to amplify patients’ voices.
What You’ll Do
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Attend monthly patient meetings on Clywedog Ward to gather feedback.
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Share updates at quarterly Engage to Change meetings.
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Work with patients, staff, and management to tackle challenges.
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Shadow experienced volunteers on Felindre Ward to build confidence.
Is This Role Right for You?
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has personal experience with admittance to an inpatient mental health ward or cared for someone who has.
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Can use their insight to inform discussions while maintaining personal boundaries.
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Is comfortable engaging in care-based discussions without compromising their own mental health.
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Has a basic understanding of patients’ rights and a willingness to collaborate with hospital management.
Additional skills like report writing, IT knowledge, or Welsh language proficiency are a bonus but not essential.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in becoming a PPC volunteer, we’d love to hear from you!
Contact
Alice.Dolan@PAVO.org.uk
or call
07833 401446
for an informal discussion.
Ready to apply? Send an expression of interest outlining your experience and skills. This information will support your application and help us ensure the role is a good fit for you.
Join us in making a real difference in the lives of patients on the Clywedog Ward. Together, we can amplify voices and create lasting change.