Essentials of volunteer management e-learning

E-learning - 8 January 2025

Check out our e-learning course to help you with successful volunteer management.
A group of Healthwatch staff members

About this course 

Management of volunteers is essential to the work of Healthwatch. We have put together some information, ideas, and other resources to help you have an effective volunteering offer. 

By taking this course, you will gain an understanding of:  

  • Volunteering strategy 
  • Recruitment policies, role descriptions and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) information 
  • Equality, diversity, equity and inclusion (EDEI) 
  • Volunteer induction 
  • Managing and supporting volunteers, covering recognition of their work including impact and evaluation. 

Who is the course for? 

This course is for Healthwatch staff who are responsible for managing volunteers and provides an introduction to volunteer management.  

How long will it take, and what does it involve? 

This e-learning course will take you about 60 minutes to complete. Please book out that length of time to finish the course in one sitting for the best learning experience, but you can save your work and return to it if you need to.  

The course is divided into clear sections and comprises of a mixture of: 

  • Information to read. 
  • Videos to watch. 
  • Interactive activities.  
  • Short tests of learning. 

Once you have completed the course, you can leave feedback and download your certificate. 

What will you learn? 

At the end of this course, you should be able to: 

  • Understand why people volunteer and the benefits of having a volunteering strategy. 
  • Understand different volunteer roles you could offer. 
  • Understand the volunteer recruitment, induction and training elements, including DBS.  
  • Understand how to positively deal with manging complaints and concerns. 
  • Understand how to provide recognition for the work of volunteers. 

Take the course here. 

 

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Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link.  

An introduction to Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

E-learning - 8 August 2024

Take our new e-learning course to gain an understanding of areas including the Equality Act 2010, protected characteristics and Healthwatch's role in tackling health inequalities.
Man working on his laptop

An introduction to Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We know that understanding Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (EDEI) is fundamental to your work at Healthwatch. We have found key information from a variety of organisations who specialise in EDEI to share with you. 

By taking this course, you will gain an understanding of: 

  • What is equality, diversity, equity and inclusion?
  • The Equality Act 2010 and protected characteristics.
  • The Equality Act 2010 and discrimination.
  • Microaggressions and unconscious bias. 
  • The Healthwatch role in tackling health inequalities. 
  • The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
  • Good practice examples that demonstrate how Healthwatch can put EDEI at the heart of our work. 

This e-learning course will take you about 60 minutes to complete. Please book out that length of time to finish the course in one sitting for the best learning experience, but you can save your work and return to it if you need to. 

The course is divided into clear sections and comprises:

  • Information to read.
  • Videos to watch.
  • Interactive activities. 
  • Short tests of learning.

At the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Understand the importance of EDEI to your work.  
  • Understand the relevance of the Equality Act 2010 to protected characteristics and discrimination. 
  • Understand microaggressions and unconscious bias. 
  • Understand your role in tackling health inequalities and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). As well as different approaches and examples you can use to achieve this.

Once you have completed the course you can leave feedback and download your certificate.

Take the course

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Start the course

Volunteer reward and recognition e-learning

E-learning - 29 August 2023

Check out our e-learning course to help you with successful volunteer recruitment and retention.
Volunteers standing together

You told us how important it is to reward and recognise your volunteers and that you are always looking for inspiration to do this well. 

About this course

Healthwatch Warrington have produced this short course to help you:

- understand the importance of volunteer recognition

- gain some tips for successful volunteer recruitment and retention

- take away ideas to thank and reward your volunteers for their contribution  

There are three short videos in the course with voice-overs but there are also transcripts if you prefer to read the text, with lots of useful links to resources that you can use in your role.

Don’t forget to download your certificate and let us know how you found the course at the end.

Who is the course for? 

This course is for anyone who looks after volunteers in their local Healthwatch.

How long is the course? 

The course will take about 60 minutes to complete. For the best learning experience, we recommend completing in one sitting, however you can save your progress and come back if you prefer. 

Many thanks to Healthwatch Warrington.

Take the course

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Go to course

GDPR e-learning

E-learning - 15 May 2023

These courses will provide you with an understanding of the legal frameworks on data protection that apply to Healthwatch.

These online training modules will introduce you to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), what the law says, and how to apply it to your work.

By completing our GDPR training, you will become familiar with key data protection terminology and roles and responsibilities for staff, managers and boards.

Special thanks goes to Chipiliro Kalebe-Nyamongo from Healthwatch Birmingham for helping us to develop these courses.

Introduction to data protection for Healthwatch Lead Officers

This course is aimed at Board members and Lead Officers who have responsibility for making sure your Healthwatch implements effective data protection. 

Find out more

Introduction to data protection law for Healthwatch staff

This module will support staff in collecting, using and storing data lawfully whilst carrying out your engagement activities, research, information and signposting, recruitment and sharing data with stakeholders.

Find out more

Take the courses

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Planning research projects

E-learning - 5 December 2022

Check out our e-learning course to help you plan your research project and set it up for success.
Three people looking at a leaflet

About this course

This e-learning course will give you an understanding of how to plan your research project. 

You will learn

  • How to write a research question
  • The importance of background research
  • How to identify tasks that need to be completed
  • How to plan your timeline
  • How to identify and mitigate bias

Who is the course for? 

This course is for staff and volunteers who need to plan or run a research project as part of their role. 

How long is the course? 

The course will take about 60 minutes to complete. For the best learning experience, we recommend completing in one sitting, however you can save your progress and come back if you prefer. 

Take the course

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Go to course

How to use Microsoft Excel

E-learning - 2 November 2022

Complete our e-learning courses on Microsoft Excel to help you understand everything from the basics to detailed analysis.
Gy

These e-learning courses on Excel will help you navigate and understand how to use all it's functionality to make analysing your data simpler and more effective.  

Who are these courses for?

These courses have been designed for anyone who needs to analyse data as part of their role. 

About these courses

These courses will need to be completed in order, as each one builds on the skills and understand from the previous part. 

Part one - The basics

This first course will help you to understand the basics principles of using Excel and how to structure and format your data. 

Take the course

Part two - Formulas and graphs

This part will help you understand the basics of Excel data analysis including creating basic formulas, how to use advanced formulas and how to create custom charts to display your data. 

Take the course

Part three - Analysing demographic data using pivot tables and charts

The part will help your understand how to analyse survey findings using demographic data, how to segment your data and why it's important. 

Take the course

Part four - Using formulas as an alternative to pivot tables

In this part you will learn about the formulas you can use, when to use them to best effect and how to recode variables in the formula. 

Take the course

Part five - Aggregating datasets and data visualisation

Taking the final part, you will learn how to aggregate a dataset and how to report on your data using different graphs. 

Take the course

Taking our courses for the first time

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

What do we mean by outcomes and impact?

E-learning - 10 October 2022

The word 'outcomes' is increasingly used in work situations and 'impact' is often linked to it, even in everyday life. But when people use these words are they always referring to the same thing? Find out our definitions.
Woman standing in front of a room of people giving a speech

It's helpful to try to ensure we have a shared understanding across the Healthwatch service of what we all mean when we use the words'  outcomes' and 'impact'. 

This basic introductory course is for any staff member or volunteer with Healthwatch. It's an ideal short session to be completed as part of an individual induction process. 

By taking this course, you'll understand: 

  • The difference between outputs, outcomes and impact. 
  • How do these relate to Healthwatch work. 
  • Why it's important for a Healthwatch to think about outcomes and impact. 

This will help you contribute to planning activities and ensure your work with Healthwatch is as successful as possible. 

Before you start 

This course should take you no more than one hour to complete. It's best to do it all in one go, but you can return to it if necessary. 

How to access the course 

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Take the course

Tell us what you think

Please tell us how useful you found the course, and if there is anything else that you would have liked included. Email Marianne, Learning and Development Manager at Healthwatch England, with your feedback. 

How to use Healthwatch branded templates (E-learning course)

E-learning - 8 September 2022

First impressions matter. It's important we have a consistent brand look, which people recognise and trust. But what if you don't have the budget for a designer? You can access free branded resources to help you save time and money.
Two women laughing

We want the public and professionals to instantly recognise Healthwatch through our work. But, having a designer can be a luxury. It can be time-consuming and confusing trying to make branded materials from scratch too.

This course will help you:

  • Understand the basics of the Healthwatch brand, like what colours and font to use, and where to access lots of free photos for your work.
  • Learn what resources are available on the Communications Centre. It's our one-stop shop to get all kinds of branded materials, which you can personalise with your local Healthwatch logo – from posters and social media cards to event banners, leaflets and more.
  • If you use Canva, there's an optional section with some tips and tricks to speed up your designs.

How to access the course?

The course should take around an hour to complete – but you can pick and choose what sections you want to watch based on your needs. 

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Take the course

Tell us what you think

Please tell us how useful you found the course, and if there is anything else that you would have liked included. Email Marianne, Learning and Development Manager at Healthwatch England, with your feedback.

How to write like Healthwatch (E-learning course)

E-learning - 11 August 2022

This course will help you become a pro at writing like Healthwatch, so you can inspire your audiences. You'll also take away some handy resources and practical tips to make your job easier.
Woman having her blood pressure tested

Whether you're trying to encourage someone to share feedback, or persuade a service to take action, good writing is key. The way we speak, write and look shows people what we stand for and why our services are relevant to them.

Clear writing builds trust and inspires. But something poorly written can leave a bad impression.

This course will help you understand:

  • Our collective tone of voice
  • How to use the right messages for different audiences
  • Some practical writing tips
  • How to access resources to help make your job easier!

How to access the course?

This course should take you about 45 minutes to complete. 

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Take the course

Tell us what you think

Please tell us how useful you found the course, and if there is anything else that you would have liked included. Email Marianne, Learning and Development Manager at Healthwatch England, with your feedback.

Email Marianne

 

How to design a survey

E-learning - 13 July 2022

Surveys are a powerful research tool, and designing them well is critical to their success. Find out everything you need to know about designing an excellent survey.
Woman having her blood pressure tested

About this course

This course will give you a broad overview of surveys as a research tool and show you how to create a high-quality survey to achieve your goals. 

How long will the course take?

The course will take you about 60 minutes to complete. For the best learning experience we recommend you try to complete in one sitting, but you can save your progress and come back if needed. 

Don't forget to download your certificate of acheivement one complete. 

Who is this course for?

This course is for staff and volunteers who need to design research and engagement surveys as part of their job. 

What will you learn? 

You will learn all the key elements of designing a survey, including:

•    When a survey is an appropriate research method
•    How to plan your survey effectively
•    The different types of survey questions
•    How to word good survey questions
•    The importance of collecting demographic data

Complete the course

To take one of our e-learning courses for the first time, click the link for the course then select ‘sign up’ and register with your e-mail address and set your password.

Use these details for all future courses, or to re-visit a course. You can also reset your password at anytime by selecting the ‘forgotten password’ link. 

Complete the course

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