On this page you'll find information on, and links to:

1. The annual report template
2. Photography and icons
3. Training and support
4. Deadline information
5. Submission forms
6. Additional resources

Annual Report template

It's a legal requirement for your local Healthwatch to produce an annual report by the end of June. To help you do this, we have provided a template, which is available in PowerPoint and InDesign formats on the Communications Centre (Brandstencil).

The template uses our latest brand guidelines and includes guidance on how to complete your report, what to change, and what to include.

Please note you will need to be logged in to see the resources on the Communications Centre. There is one account per local Healthwatch. If you are having problems accessing your account, please email hub@healthwatch.co.uk.

PowerPoint Template 

InDesign Template

Photography and icons

Images

It's great if you personalise the report with local photography. However, we are aware that many local Healthwatch struggle to source photography and do not have the budget to purchase many stock images. Check out our Flickr albums for a range of high-quality photos that are free for you to use.

View Flickr photos 

Icons

As part of our brand identity we have a collection of simple line icons. These are used in this year's template, but should you wish to change any of them you can access the full suite here. We advise using the navy icons throughout, unless there is a dark background, in which case you should use the white icons. 

Download Icon pack

Training and support

We want to help you produce the best report you can, so we have been running a series of webinars to help make the process easy and straightforward for you. 

How to write for your annual report

This interactive session will show you how you can best highlight your achievements from the last year, how to write great case studies and how to demonstrate the difference your work made.

Thursday 7 May | 11:00am-12:30pm

What is the deadline?

The deadline for your report is 30 June 2026.

Who do I send my annual report to?

Once you have published your report, you need to send it to:

• Healthwatch England (using this form)
• Your local Care Quality Commission contacts
• NHS England (Email England.healthwatchannualreport@nhs.net)
• Senior Integrated Care System leaders in your area
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of your local authority
• The local authority that commissions your service

How do I submit my report? 

To submit your report, please upload the finished document through our website form linked to below.

Upload your annual report now

Additional resources

So you've written and submitted your annual report – what next? We want to help you get the most out of your annual report content so we've put together guidance to help you do that.

What else can I do with my annual report content? 

Once you have finished your annual report, you have loads of great content on your impact over the last year. Check out our tips to make the most of your annual report content across your digital channels. 

How to make the most of your annual report content | Healthwatch Network

About this resource 

We have created a learning and development calendar for the year ahead so you can see what training opportunities from us you will have throughout the year.  

We have designed this plan based on your feedback and the Healthwatch core skills framework. 

Events are now available to book through our training and events section. Please always remember to let us know if you can no longer a session that you book in advance, so we can offer the place to someone else.  

You told us that you would find it helpful if we grouped our learning and development offer into pathways linked to key Healthwatch roles and responsibilities.

There are some core activities that all local Healthwatch must do.  These will be carried out by different people in each local Healthwatch, so we have focused on activities rather than job titles.  We have a range of training, peer networks, guidance, and e-learning courses to help you develop your skills and build your confidence in these areas.  The activities are: 

• Welcome to Healthwatch 
• Providing information and advice to the public 
• Gathering views from the public 
• Making views known and using them to improve services 
• Reaching people and communicating the difference we make  
• Managing volunteers 
• Running a Healthwatch  

How to use the framework 

There is a page for each core activity with the keys skills you need to carry them out and the learning opportunities that will help you. New members of staff or volunteers may want to complete the whole pathway, more experienced people may just want to plug gaps in their learning.  

Everyone learns differently so we have colour coded the different learning opportunities so you can choose which suits you best. Where there are several learning opportunities next to a skill, you can choose which suits you best and do as many as you wish.  The links will take you straight to the session to book, the e-learning course or the resource to download.   

From left to right you will see webinars, e-learning courses, peer network meetings, guidance documents then bespoke support.  This is not in any priority order, just for ease of reading.