"I immediately thought about my mum." - What does it mean to be a Healthwatch volunteer

When I first saw the volunteering post for the Women’s Health Project, I immediately thought about my mum.

As the child of immigrant parents, I often found myself translating at appointments, collecting medication and navigating a healthcare system that wasn’t built for families like mine. That’s why this project felt personal.

When I first met Rafat Kiani, the Project Leader, we both became emotional sharing our lived experiences. That moment confirmed this was exactly the kind of work I wanted to be part of, because at Healthwatch, it’s clearly more than just a job for everyone involved.

Over the course of volunteering, I supported the delivery of in-person information sessions and community events, helped recruit and interview women and worked with communities I never knew existed, despite having lived in Redbridge for over 20 years. I had the chance to meet women from all walks of life: strong, outspoken, resilient. Speaking with them gave me the confidence to open up about my own health too. 

A highlight was being able to speak in Bengali with women and translate their stories into findings that could influence change. I contributed to campaigns around Breast Cancer Awareness and Perimenopause/Menopause, helping translate and design materials into Bengali, Somali, and Romanian and supporting outreach in temples, churches and community spaces. I even had the chance to meet a local Councillor and witness the connection between grassroots voices and decision-makers.

For me, this role has always been about being a voice for women like my mum, those who are expected to accept barriers in silence. Volunteering here reminded me that real change starts by listening.

And yes, trying new foods at events was a lovely bonus.

- Nuha