To ensure they are as plugged into wider society as possible, Healthwatch Hackney developed a system of Public Representatives to ensure the voices of local people are being heard and their opinions not only taken on board, but utilised to make real change in the community.
The public reps consist of 10 younger people (17-24 years) and 10 older people (55-60), who meet in an informal weekly group to provide their thoughts on upcoming projects and current issues. Healthwatch Hackney then take the feedback from the meetings, and use it to make decisions about what approach should be taken.