“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)

'The Resilient Woman' – Living with FGM – Hidden Voices

In this episode, we talk to our latest Trauma Ambassador Valerie about her personal experience of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM) as a teenager. Valerie is now the founder of an anti-FGM organisation Women of Grace to support other women and girls going through gender based violence. Valerie explains the different types of FGM people can experience, discusses some of the reasons why the practice happens and shares the ongoing impact of FGM on her life. Please note this episode contains detailed descriptions of female genital mutilation, discusses other gender based violence and mentions miscarriages. For our contact details and further support, visit our website – https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/ For Women of Grace, visit https://www.womenofgrace.org.uk/

1. 'The Resilient Woman' – Living with FGM 36:59
2. 'One Lump or Two?' – Living with Testicular Cancer 45:15
3. 'If there are shadows then there is light' – Georgia & Reuben's Story 47:40
4. The Mental Health Runner – Shawn's Story 40:46
5. Body Image and Disability – Sophie's Story 39:12