West Yorkshire Voice Evaluation Report

Healthwatch organisations across West Yorkshire undertook research on the impact and effectiveness of West Yorkshire Voice between July 2022 and March 2026. They gathered feedback through a survey and individual conversations with 41 network members and reviewed the work of a network that had grown to 695 members, including 381 individuals and 258 organisations. The programme was established to ensure local people's voices influence health and care decision-making across West Yorkshire.

The evaluation found that West Yorkshire Voice successfully connected communities, voluntary organisations, Healthwatch teams and the NHS, helping people's experiences influence decisions on issues including mental health, maternity, hospital care, neurodiversity, health inequalities, patient transport and neighbourhood health. Members particularly valued having an independent point of contact, opportunities to share experiences directly with decision-makers and support to access involvement opportunities. The network was also praised for building relationships with communities experiencing the greatest health inequalities and for working through existing community groups and trusted organisations.

Members reported feeling listened to and appreciated the regular newsletters, events and opportunities to influence health and care planning. However, challenges included maintaining relationships as the network grew, reaching a wider range of communities, improving accessibility and demonstrating the impact of people's feedback. Some members expressed concerns about sharing experiences directly with the NHS rather than through an independent organisation, with independence seen as important for enabling honest feedback and building trust.

The report concluded that successful public involvement depends on building trusted relationships, maintaining independent routes for feedback, ensuring accessibility and clearly demonstrating how people's experiences influence decisions. Key recommendations included improving feedback to members about changes made as a result of their input, increasing opportunities for members to connect with each other, broadening participation among underrepresented communities and continuing to provide multiple ways for people to share their experiences.