Our Local Advisory Committee

Find out how the Healthwatch Tower Hamlets Local Advisory Committee helps us meet our goals below.

The Local Advisory Committee reviews issues relating to Healthwatch in detail and makes recommendations regarding this. It plays an important role in overseeing Healthwatch Tower Hamlet's strategic direction, monitoring and advising its progress against its work plan.

Our Chair

We are currently establishing a new Local Advisory Committee and a Chair will be appointed in due course. Please check back at a later date or email the office info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk for more information.

Our Local Advisory Committee

Jessica Chiu 

Jessica is a local resident currently working in the digital health field. She has a background as a Clinical Lead of Wheel Chair services and is passionate about supporting positive change in Healthcare.  

Nicola Lawrence

Nicola has worked in the NHS and internationally to develop national policy and to deliver projects to transform systems. She has experience commissioning mental health, learning disability, and autism services, as well as working with a range of stakeholders, carrying out research and analysis, and managing programmes. Nicola is a Tower Hamlets resident and is passionate about public health.  

Shayma Elsheikh

Shayma, a Tower Hamlets resident, has worked as a Research Scientist specializing in expediting drug development against respiratory viruses. Currently pursuing an MSc in Health Data Analytics, her thesis delves into analyzing observational data to explore the causal relationship between leisure time, physical exercise and long-term obesity risk. She is passionate about utilizing statistical methods to inform evidence-based policy-making.

Catherine Moody

Catherine is a Tower Hamlets resident. She has a scientific background and cares about public health and social care. Until recently she worked for the UK Medical Research Council. Catherine brings a broad understanding of population health, prevention research and policy to the committee. Additionally, she also harbours a range of general skills including research and people management, peer review and communications.

Yayun (Miki) Cheng

Miki has been a resident of Tower Hamlets for 8 years and works in Clinical Trial industry as a Pharmacy Lead. She has also worked as Clinical Trial Associate at Psychiatry Department for children with Autism and ADHD in hospital. Miki has a MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience. She is passionate about mental health, kids and community volunteering. 

Decision Making Processes

The Local Advisory Committee and staff make collaborative decisions about our work programme and priority areas. These include decisions such as which research studies and Enter & View visits to undertake each year.  

Our decision making takes into account a number of factors including:  

  • issues identified from community feedback and intelligence 
  • understanding the views of under-represented groups e.g children and young people
  • opportunities to make an impact 
  • alignment with the key priorities of our local authority and NHS partners 
  • gaps in our current insight and knowledge on an issue/service
  • having a balanced work programme with consideration given to both health and social care issues
  • wider strategic drivers 

The Local Advisory Committee seek to provide full transparency in their decision making. Minutes of meetings can be requested by emailing info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk.

Each year we will update the website to highlight our key projects and reasons for choosing these priority areas. Please click on the pink 'Find out more' button below to access information about our current projects. 

Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) holds the contract for Healthwatch Lewisham. Their Board of Directors hold overall governance responsibility for the service. For further information on the Board visit the YVHSC website or email info@yvhsc.org.uk

Find out more

Join our Local Advisory Committee

two female staff members sitting behind a desk full of stationary

Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) is looking for Tower Hamlets residents interested in becoming part of our Local Advisory Committee.

Do you have local knowledge, experience and passion for promoting better health and social care for local people? Then this might be the right fit for you.

Committee Members are responsible for shaping the future of the organisation and helping us ensure that the experiences of patients, carers and residents are heard by local decision makers. 

To apply or for more information, please contact the Volunteers team on 07904 193151 or by email vip@yvhsc.org.uk.