Healthwatch Southend, the all new local health and social care consumer champion, was launched on 1 April 2013. As part of the changes to the way health and social care services are delivered nationally and locally, Healthwatch Southend is completely independent and designed to work for the public. It will help people and their families get the best out of local health and social care services, offer advice on navigating the system, and advocacy support to people who wish to complain about health services they have received.

Our health and social care system is going through massive changes including cuts to spending and services. Healthwatch is an opportunity for adults, children and young people to have real influence and bring about a better health and social care system for all of us. Healthwatch Southend will make health and care providers answerable to the people who use their services. Every voice counts.

Southend Association of Voluntary Services provides support for voluntary and community organisations of Southend-on-Sea. Through our charity shop we are running a monthly ‘charity of the month’ scheme, providing an opportunity for local groups to fundraise that haven’t already got a charity shop of their own.

 
The chosen local group will be responsible for collecting donations for our shop to sell on the group’s behalf. For more information and to apply please download, print off, complete and return the form to Jon Briscoe, Shop Manager either to SAVS, 29-31 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1BW or shopmanager@savs-southend.co.uk   

Back in the summer of 2012 we asked you to complete a survey to help us paint a picture of the Voluntary and Community Sector I am pleased to say we the results have been analyzed and the full results can be found on the following link http://www.savs-southend.org/files/State_of_the_Sector_Survey_Results_2012_analysis_Jan_2013.pdf

Also we have a short summary on the following link http://www.savs-southend.org/files/State_of_the_Sector_in_Southend_summary_Feb_2013.pdf  

At SAVS we wish to support local schools by offering 3 students per year (aged 15+) a work experience placement of one week within our Turning Tides Project based at our offices in North Road Chapels.

If you would like to be considered for a placement please contact us on turningtides@savs-southend.co.uk.

Welcome to the SAVS website - on here you will find all you need about the voluntary and community sector in Southend - if you have any suggestions or content please contact me at info@savs-southend.co.uk - Thanks - Dan