Service User and Carers Forum
Connecting people who have used healthcare services or have had caring responsibilities.
Intro
What is the Service User and Carers Forum?
The forum is a group of people who have had experience of using healthcare services or have provided care for those who have.
We take a keen interest in the professional training of future physiotherapists, social workers, psychologists, nurses, speech and language therapists, support workers and dieticians.
To help improve the quality of teaching that these health professionals will receive, we offer our expertise on ways to better communicate, treat, and interact with all members of the local community.
Although our group works to improve the quality of education in the Faculty of Health and Education, as a forum we also exist to:
- provider peer support for service users and carers involved in any aspect of health and social care education
- share our wealth of expertise and experiences for mutual benefit
- improve the involvement of service users and carers in the education of our students
Become a member
Become a member
We are always looking to welcome new members to the forum and improve our range of activities.
If you would like to join us, please contact Pam Jones who provides our administrative support by email at p.jones@mmu.ac.uk.
What's in it for me?
What’s in it for me?
As a valued member of the forum, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of the student journey, including:
- recruitment
- curriculum development
- teaching and assessment
You’ll also be able to give us feedback about your own experiences of being a service user or a carer.
Understanding care from your perspective helps us to improve the training and standards of our future healthcare professionals.
Your feedback helps our students to develop their compassion, communication skills and professionalism, which are necessary to prove safe and quality care.
Our Members
Click on the drop-down options below to view videos from some of our current members.
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Ann
Ann
Ann was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease eight years ago when she was 52 years old.
Ann speaks across the country to try to help people understand Alzheimer's disease, how to live with it, and not to be scared of it. -
John
John
Nine years ago, John went into hospital after suffering a stroke. The damage to his brain caused Aphasia, impairing his ability to read, write and speak.
It was a very difficult time for John as he had to learn how to speak, write and spell again. -
Donna
Donna
Donna was a busy mum of a young family when, in 2001, she had a brain haemorrhage and her world completely changed.
As well as having to come to terms with the impact on her life, the haemorrhage left Donna with some lasting effects. -
Paul
Paul
During his national service with the army, Paul qualified as a group medic and anti-malaria officer. After leaving the army in 1966, Paul started nursing.
Paul's father was a doctor and his mother was a State Registered Nurse (SRN). -
Olwen
Olwen
A widow, Olwen started working with Oldham Social Services (OSS) through their Home Care service in 1974.
Olwen worked with OSS until 1992, retiring due to ill health, and cared for her husband who suffered from respiratory problems until his death.