National Voices
LightNews LightNews
banner
nationalvoices.bsky.social
National Voices
@nationalvoices.bsky.social
990 followers 180 following 350 posts
A coalition of over 200 charities making what matters to people matter in health and care.

Account monitored Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.
Posts Replies Media Videos
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 ”We’re committed to digital inclusion by design, ensuring our proactive approach includes individuals with lived experience of disabilities, underrepresented groups and deprived communities to prevent barriers when accessing NHS services.”

👉 tinyurl.com/4aefm427
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘Breaking down digital barriers’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Tim Clarke, depicting a white man with short brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “Whilst I support the 10 Year Plan’s direction on patient experience, to make it work the Quality Strategy really needs to start with a good audit of what is being captured and how it is being used at the moment.”

🔗 tinyurl.com/z62f8hbr
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘Hoovering up more patient experience data isn't the answer, it's what the NHS does with it that matters.' To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Jacob Lant, depicting a white man with short brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “When the health and care system doesn’t provide adequate support, it simply shifts the burden onto families, who often receive no training, no respite, and often no recognition of the role they’re playing.”

👉 tinyurl.com/49skzzfu

Full report tinyurl.com/76nepdcx
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘The journey home: Insights into people's experiences of hospital discharge and follow-up care’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Louis Horsley, depicting a white man with short brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
November 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “I have always championed the importance of lived experience [...] That’s because I understand first-hand the frustrations that arise if we do not, and the opportunities that can be created if we do.”

👉 tinyurl.com/yp9uxhmt
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘The power of lived experience, and a farewell to National Voices’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Sharon Brennan, depicting a white woman with short blonde hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
October 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “Unfortunately, for too many people across the United Kingdom the end of life is not spent focusing on what really matters – but managing on a low income, adding additional stress and worry to what should be a time to make memories.”

👉 tinyurl.com/bdfpnjdf
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘[title here]’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Jamie Thunder, depicting a white man with short brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
October 15, 2025 at 8:57 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “ To make real, long-term change [...] we need decision makers to meaningfully involve our community in shaping the cancer pathways we use, and for information, clinical settings, and healthcare professionals to be able to accommodate our specific needs.”

👉 tinyurl.com/ycypmyaa
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘LGBTIQ+ cancer care: how far have we come?’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author organisation's logo, OUTpatients, depicting a speech bubble in a variety of colors. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
October 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “While I'm moving on from National Voices, I carry forward an unwavering belief in the power of collaborative approaches to tackle our most pressing health and care challenges.”

👉 tinyurl.com/58ssppne
This image shows a graphic of a computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘From individual stories to collaborative system change: Reflecting on my time at National Voices’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Lucy Seymour, depicting a white woman with short brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
September 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵 Today is LGBT+ Parents and Carers Day 🌈

At National Voices, we stand with Proud 2 b Parents and all those celebrating. This year’s theme is Visibility — ensuring LGBT+ parents, carers and their children are seen, heard and valued. #LGBTQIAParentsCarersDay

[1/3]
Colourful text reads "LGBT+ Parents & Carers Day", with capital letters stylised as playful characters, and a small Progress Pride flag next to the word "Day".
September 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
📆 Apply by 12 September

👉 tinyurl.com/zcm6xm7v
On a teal background in white and purple text reads: New vacancy at National Voices, Project and Policy Officer, Hybrid, 27,000, full time, permanent.
August 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 ”As a sector, if we are to ensure people are properly supported in the event of law change, we need to begin work now to ensure that open conversations are fostered and that people have the information and support they need to talk to their healthcare team confidently.”

🔗 tinyurl.com/yhum8eyn
This graphic shows a cartoon computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, Information about assisted dying: how do we meet people's needs and why the third sector should lead the way.’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Jemma Woodley, depicting a woman with long brown hair. The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
August 20, 2025 at 9:25 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
💬 “Advancing racial health equity is a critical and collective responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of us as individuals, communities, organisations like Prostate Cancer UK as well as policymakers.”

🔗 tinyurl.com/5ejtacd8
This graphic shows a cartoon computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, Advancing racial health equity-the Prostate Cancer UK experience.’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Chiara De Biase, depicting a woman with short brown hair. Under the title reads the text, ‘Chiara De Biase, Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate UK, shares how Prostate Cancer UK has invested into advancing racial health equity and the work that still needs to be done.' The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
August 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵

🚨 New NHS data exposes inequalities in elective care access

The Waiting List Minimum Data Set (WLMDS) was released yesterday. The WLMDS provides, for the first time, a demographic breakdown of who is waiting for NHS treatment and for how long.

1 /4
This graph is titled '% treated within 18 weeks, by ethnicity' With a subtitle of 'Waiting List Minimum Data Set.' The graph shows that 62.38% of people identifying as 'Asian/Asian British,' 61.10% of 'Other ethnic group,' 60.29% of 'Average,' 60.03% 'White,' 59.03% 'Black/African/Caribbean/Black British,' and 58.9% of 'Mixed/multiple ethnic groups' were treated within 18 weeks. Underneath the graph reads: These are averaged percentages. For the full dataset, head to the link provided in this post.
July 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
As the NHS embarks on delivering its ambitious 10 Year Health Plan, success depends not just on what changes are made, but how they’re implemented.
July 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🚀New to the blog!

@lucysey.bsky.social, our Senior Policy & External Affairs Officer, shares insights on the refreshed Accessible Information Standard (AIS).

👉 tinyurl.com/ytnypxhj
This graphic shows a cartoon computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, The Accessible Information Standard: Towards mandatory equality in practice.’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Lucy Seymour, depicting a white woman with long brown hair. Under the title reads the text, ‘The refreshed Accessible Information Standard recognises that real health equity begins with accessible, understandable information and effective communication across NHS services. For many, equitable access has long been a promise; this update is a vital step towards making it a common practice.’ The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
July 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵

🎊Last night, the Women in Charity Network (WICN) celebrated its first anniversary with a summer reception and panel discussion.

Among the speakers was our Director of Policy and External Affairs, @sharonbrennan.bsky.social who raised the key question of, ‘What are we not going to do?’

1/4
Seven women sit on a stage at the Women in Charity Network Summer Reception. From left to right they are; Laura Williamson, Sharon Brennan, Mel Smith, Ed Archer, Anna Hemmings, Katie Ghose, and Geraldine Hetherington. They are speaking to an audience of 60 women, all from the charity sector.
July 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
📢 National Voices reacts to the 10 Year Plan for the NHS

Today, the government published its long-awaited 10 Year Plan, following eight months of work to set out a vision for how the NHS can evolve to meet “the changing needs of our changing population.” 

Our response👉 tinyurl.com/10YearPlanRe...
On a blue background, write text reads: There is a welcome new emphasis in the ten-year plan on improving day-to-day patient experience and outcomes. This focus is essential if the Government’s three shifts are to achieve the aim of boosting public confidence, creating an NHS that is more sustainable, and ensuring that no communities are left behind. But we have seen plans before, and we must now see clear action on how this will deliver practical changes to people in the real world.”
July 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🚀 Expectations for this week’s 10 Year Health Plan are sky-high.

In this blog, @clarewoodford.bsky.social (Stroke Association) & Helen Kirrane (Diabetes UK), singled out the four issues most vital to the people their charities support, which they are hoping to see addressed.

👉 tinyurl.com/5n7pz5s8
This graphic shows a cartoon computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘The new 10 Year Plan: Our hopes and expectations.’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the authors, Clare Woodford and Helen Kirrane, depicting a two white woman with light short hair and the other with long brunette hair. Under the title reads the text, ‘Expectations for this week’s 10 Year Health Plan are sky-high. In October 2024, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting launched “the biggest ever national conversation” on the NHS. Charities like ours went out far and wide to talk to our communities, bringing the voices of lived experience and professionals into the conversation.’ The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
June 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵1/5

Our Chief Executive, @jacoblant.bsky.social, previously Head of Policy, Public Affairs, and Research at @healthwatchengland.bsky.social, has responded to the Government’s decision to close Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations.

Continue reading for his full response👇
On a light blue background text reads "We are deeply saddened to hear that the Government has decided to close Healthwatch. Over the last 12 years its hard working staff and volunteers have led vital work driving improvement in the NHS by connecting into local communities and giving millions of people a way to share their concerns". To the bottom left corner text reads 'Jacob Lant, Chief Executive on the closure of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations'. To the bottom right corner is the National Voices logo.
June 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
But many patients reported positive experiences:
85% said they received good quality care.
86% reported feeling safe during their care.
In this graphic, two different questions are posed with corresponding bar charts show respondents answers. In the top left, the question ‘Thinking about when you have used NHS services over the last 12 months, do you feel that you felt safe?’ is shown in white text on a purple background. To the right, lies a bar chart showing the following spread of answers: 53% responded ‘yes, definitely,’ 33% responded ‘yes, to some extent,’ 7% responded ‘not at all.’ In the bottom left, the question ‘ Thinking about when you have used NHS services over the last 12 months, do you feel that you received good quality care?’ is shown in white text on a teal background. To the right, lies a bar chart showing the following spread of answers: 45% responded ‘yes, definitely,’ 40% responded ‘yes, to some extent’, 9% responded ‘not at all.’ These answers are represented in different colours: teal, green, and purple. The remaining respondents in both bar charts are indicated as responding ‘Don’t know/not applicable,’ represented in grey. In the bottom right corner, the logos for Ipsos and National Voices are shown.
June 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
The research revealed several areas of concern including:

19% of respondents reported it was “not at all” easy to access the care they needed in the last 12 months.

40% of people with long-term conditions, some of the most frequent NHS users, felt “not at all” supported in managing mental health.
This graphic contains two different questions with accompanying bar charts. On the left the question, ‘How supported do you feel by the NHS, if at all, to manage your physical health?’ is posed with white text on a purple background. Below this question is a bar chart showing the popularity of different responses divided by two respondent groups: (1) people with multiple long-term conditions, and (2) people with no long-term conditions. The graph shows 59% of respondents with multiple long-term conditions felt very supported by the NHS in managing their physical health, and 37% of respondents with multiple long-term conditions felt ‘not at all’ supported. The graph shows 72% of respondents with no long-term conditions felt very supported by the NHS in managing their physical health, and 16% felt ‘not at all’ supported. The remaining respondents in both groups are indicated as responding ‘Don’t know/not applicable,’ represented in grey. On the right, the question, ‘How supported do you feel by the NHS, if at all, to manage your mental health?’ is posed with white text on a teal background. Below this question is a bar chart showing the popularity of different responses among two respondent groups: (1) people with multiple long-term conditions, and (2) people with no long-term conditions. The graph below this question shows 41% of respondents with multiple long-term conditions felt very supported by the NHS in managing their mental health, and 40% of respondents with multiple long-term conditions felt ‘not at all’ supported. The graph shows 55% of respondents with no long-term conditions felt very supported by the NHS in managing their mental health, and 20% felt ‘not at all’ supported. The remaining respondents in both groups are indicated as responding ‘Don’t know/not applicable,’ represented in grey. In the bottom right corner, the logos for Ipsos and National Voices are shown.
June 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
📢 New to the blog!

National Voices’ Director of Policy and External Affairs, @sharonbrennan.bsky.social, shares concerns about the safety and treatment of trans people using NHS services in light of the ECHR interim update on gender rights.

👉 tinyurl.com/ezc3e6zy
This graphic shows a cartoon computer monitor with a webpage showing a blog title of, ‘Pride is different this year.’ To the left of the blog title is a picture of the author, Sharon Brennan, depicting a white woman with short hair, wearing glasses. Under the title reads the text, ‘Director of Policy and External Affairs, Sharon Brennan, shares concerns about the safety and treatment of trans people using NHS services in light of the ECHR ruling on gender rights.’ The bottom right of the graphic shows the National Voices logo.
June 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🚀New to the blog!

National Voices' Policy and Projects Officer, Elizabeth Hoda, reflects on key takeaways from NHS ConfedExpo 2025, highlighting the role of the VCSE sector and lived experience ingrained in the event.

👉 tinyurl.com/nherany4
A dark blue background featuring green, purple, and light blue circles. The National Voices logo features in the bottom right hand corner. Centrally, there is a PC monitor graphic; on the screen of the PC you can see Elizabeth's blog. Elizabeth is a young woman with long dark hair. Text reads: National Voices' Policy and Projects Officer, Elizabeth Hoda, reflects on key takeaways from NHS ConfedExpo 2025, highlighting the role of the VCSE sector and lived experience ingrained in the event.
June 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵

It was wonderful to connect with members & friends at #NHSConfedExpo last week!

The National Voices team spoke across 5 sessions highlighting the vitality of lived experience, community involvement, & system change.

Thank you to all who engaged with us & contributed to the conversations.
Sharon Brennan, a white woman with short blonde hair and glasses, is holding a microphone speaking to the audience at NHS ConfedExpo. Jacob Lant and Robyn Chappell are joined on stage by two further sector experts. Behind them a screen reads 'How can we build an equitable NHS by 2035?'
June 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🚀 New vacancy at National Voices!

👀 We have an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial and ambitious Business Development Manager to lead our organisational efforts around income generation.

Find out more about the role and apply by 3 July 👇
www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/nationa...
On a light blue background the National Voices logo is pictured in the bottom right corner. Text reads 'New vacancy at National Voices: Business Development Manager. Hybrid / £39,000 - £55,000 FTE / Part-time / Permanent. '
June 13, 2025 at 9:08 AM
nationalvoices.bsky.social
🧵

Day two of #NHSConfedExpo!

There are four opportunities to catch the National Voices team across today’s talks and panels.

From empowering communities, to building an equitable NHS and involving the public in the delivery of the 10 Year Plan, there’s something for everyone👇
On a white background blue and green rings sit to the bottom left and right corners. The Confed Expo logo is picture top left, and the NHS logo top right. Text reads: Join our session at NHS ConfedExpo. 11 - 12 June 2025 | Manchester Central.
June 12, 2025 at 8:07 AM