YourVoice@Healthwatch Round-Up: Accessibility and Age-Friendly Work
This summer’s YourVoice@Healthwatch public event focused on the county’s age-friendly efforts and got the public’s views on accessibility in East Lindsey and beyond.
As always, lively debate and real stories were shared at YourVoice@Healthwatch. Members of the public shared their views and experiences of accessibility. The discussions will form the start of a new piece of work that will make sure public voice is heard and action is taken to make the county more accessible to all.
On the day, HWLincs CEO Navaz Sutton gave an overview of the recent work of HWLincs and Healthwatch Lincolnshire.
Navaz also launched the Healthwatch Annual Report 2024/25.
Read the Healthwatch Lincolnshire Annual Report.
Navaz also shared the benefits of volunteering with HWLincs and Healthwatch Lincolnshire, with options that range from public engagement, home-based activities or joining the board as a trustee.
HWLincs Head of Operations Dean Odell shared HWLincs’ latest news and upcoming work, as well as a video overview of the HWLincs Annual Report.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to be joined by Jane Berni, Age-friendly Communities Officer at East Lindsey District Council. Jane’s enthusiasm for her Age-friendly work is infectious and everyone in the room will view things through an age-friendly lens.
To find out about the Age-friendly work and how you can be involved, from becoming an age-friendly business to becoming a community ambassador, click here.
Cllr William Gray asked and answered questions during the Q&A, along with Jane, Navaz and Dean.
The last part of the event was round-table discussions of key themes regarding accessibility.
Do these questions inspire your own answers? Get in touch with us to add your voice to the discussion.
- What does accessibility mean to you or the people you support?
Consider how a space, service, or system can:
Be easy to navigate or understand
Make people feel welcome, safe, and included
Work well for people of all ages, backgrounds, and needs
- What are the biggest barriers you or people you know face when accessing public spaces or services?
Are physical obstacles (e.g., steps, narrow doorways) a challenge?
How about wayfinding or signage—is it clear and easy to follow?
Do communication methods meet diverse needs (e.g., hearing, visual, language)?
3. What simple changes could help make places more inclusive and accessible for everyone?
Think about:
Environment
Communication
Staff behaviour
Systems and processes
We want to thank everyone who came, from the members of the public whose voice is so vital to this event, to the organisations and groups that attended to support the public and network. A huge thanks too to East Lindsey District Council for the use of The Hub.
Groups in attendance included:
Active Lincolnshire
Age UK Lincolnshire
East Lindsey District Council
Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service
Lincolnshire County Council
Lincolnshire Sensory Services
One Your Lincolnshire
Shine Lincolnshire
Our next YourVoice@Healthwatch takes place in October.
Join our mailing list to make sure you hear about it first.
