Wessex Voices (www.wessexvoices.org) is a partnership between the local Healthwatch organisations in Dorset and Hampshire and the local team of NHS England. NHS Dorset CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has invited us to run this development day as part of their support for GP Practice Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) in the county. It is aimed at members of Patient Participation Groups and Practice Managers, as well as anyone who would like to learn more about how the groups work, their importance, and how they fit
into the bigger NHS picture.

The event will be facilitated by Jessie Cunnett, Director of PPI Solutions (www.patientpublicinvolvement.com).

The aims of the day are to:

• Share information and knowledge about PPGs and how they fit in to the bigger picture

• Bring people together from PPGs across Dorset to share and exchange ideas and experiences on how to make PPGs successful

• Enable people from PPGs to network with each other and to develop ongoing working relationships

• Look at what is working well and what could be improved and to provide an opportunity for practical help and advice to be available.

As part of the day, participants will be able to attend two of the following workshops:

• How to get wider participation in your PPG

• How to make meetings effective

• How to set up locality networks

• How to use social media

If you have a suggestion about a workshop on another topic please let us know when you register and we will try and accommodate your idea.

For further information contact Sue Newell on sue.newell@helpandcare.org.uk or 07595 424 198.