A new group of volunteers helping to shape local health and care services has been unveiled by the NHS.

The West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) last week announced the Sounding Board, a group of 18 people – eight from Epping Forest – now acting as “health and care ambassadors” for their communities.

With expertise and knowledge in areas such as mental health, support for carers and care for children, the group will feedback the views, ideas and concerns of the general public to the CCG.

The group will meet regularly to share experiences and opinions to help develop and improve existing services, and will also collaborate with the CCG and clinicians to help design new services.

Sounding Board chair Jackie Sully said: “A strong local voice is the key to making sure that the CCG commissions services that truly serve the people they are intended to, as well as improve services to ensure the best outcomes and patient experience for local people.”

She added: “The group act as the gatekeepers to our local communities and work in partnership with the CCG.”

Chris Brotherton from Loughton is a member of the group.

He said: “I have been working closely with the CCG to help raise awareness of exercise referral schemes as an alternative treatment for conditions including obesity.

“I want to help empower people to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing and exercise is a great way of improving both physical and mental health.

“Being a member of the Sounding Board has allowed me to share my expertise as a personal trainer and exercise referral consultant to influence decisions and ensure they are truly patient-centred.”

For more information, visit the CCG website or email weccg.comms@nhs.net to contact the group.