“Healthwatch Essex launched (1st April 2022) a new campaign encouraging people in Essex to seek support if they are battling with addiction, fronted by people in recovery from drug, alcohol and gambling addiction.

The campaign has been driven by and co-designed by people in Essex who are recovering from addiction and sharing their stories in the hope of inspiring others to seek support.

The campaign will see posters placed across the county in public areas and medical facilities, featuring photographs of the participants illustrating how their lives have changed since they entered recovery, accompanied by an online campaign using various social media. Each of the participants recorded some short clips that were shared via TikTok earlier in the project, proving popular with viewers as they reached a combined audience of more than half a million people and sparked important conversations about addiction support.

Each of the participants told us about the importance of seeking peer-led support, something which, in most cases, wasn’t actively offered or explained to them when they initially asked for help. The campaign will focus on ensuring on highlighting the importance of this, and through Healthwatch Essex, helping people to access the services they may need.”

Find more from Healthwatch Essex (UK, 2022)

Life after a Stroke – Sarah's Story – Hidden Voices

In this episode we spoke to Sarah, one of our Collaborate Essex forum members, about her experience of having a stroke and how her life has changed as a result. She told us about how she found out she had had a stroke, what helped her most in adjusting to life after stroke, and the advice she would give to others who have recently experienced a stroke.We also spoke to Louise from the Stroke Association, an organisation which supported Sarah in her recovery and now gives Sarah a platform to share her story.Find out more about the Stroke Association here – http://www.stroke.org.ukIf you have been affected by anything discussed on our podcast, you can contact our Information and Guidance team for support – https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/

1. Life after a Stroke – Sarah's Story 47:22
2. Living with an Underactive Thyroid Condition – Emily’s Story 29:20
3. Living Beyond Cancer – Kirstie's Story 46:17
4. Mother and Baby Homes – Jeff's Story 01:02:29
5. Losing Maisie to Meningitis – Mary's Story 43:55