Innovations in Integrating Quality of Life Elements - 2020
Reducing Health Inequality Programme
1. ‘ Fit for Life’- Reducing Health inequality: A programme based approach October 7, 2010 Quentin D. Sandifer, Director of Public Health, NHS Camden and London Borough of Camden
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Notes de l'éditeur
I hope to provide you with some background into the rationale of the HCAG project, provide a glimpse into issues that have been raised by communities regarding the barriers they face to leading a healthy lifestyle and the process that the project adopts when developing activities or interventions.
Briefly highlight the challenges encountered and the opportunities that a programme based approach offers in building partnerships and delivering successful services.
The action group consists of individuals, community representatives, voluntary sector organisations, Housing Associations and various enterprises. Membership is diverse and the contribution of members varies depending upon the topic. Individuals- The project was keen to encourage the participation of local residents who did not attend community centres or engage with mainstream services. We accessed these groups through door knocking, outreach outside supermarkets, pubs and betting shops. Community Representatives- We were aware that people can be distrustful of the Council and NHS so we worked closely with key and respected figures in the community. These people are often branded as ‘the usual suspects’. While we recognised that they may not represent the whole population they are a key resource to communicate messages and encourage their neighbours to participate. are based loosely on the Improvement Foundations Healthy Communities Collaborative. The Collaborative brought the community together to look at a health issue and then in partnership they developed interventions. The Action groups differs because the community determined the health issues that would be addressed. The action group members consist of individuals, community representatives and local voluntary sector organisations, housing associations, local social enterprises, private sector where appropriate
This project contributes to the overall aim to reduce health inequality within the four most deprived wards, reducing peoples risk of developing coronary related disease and cancers, Improve over all health and well being and thirdly to empower local communities Through the action groups activities we will promote and support positive health behaviour change by: 1.Increasing resident knowledge of services, creating partnerships with them and service providers to make services relevant and accessible 2.By harnessing the energies and resources within communities we will increase physical activity levels and contribute to residents making healthier dietary choices 3. Throughout the programme we will bring communities together in order to reduce isolation and to create opportunities to increase social cohesion Important that
The HCAG engages with communities using usual media mechanisms e.g. email, letter, posters etc and we are hoping to develop more innovative approaches in the future. We recognise that you can not rely on the written word so we undertake a number of outreach activities such as door knocking, approaching people in the street, attending community events. We develop a picture of what is happing at grass roots level by speaking to people as well as liaising with community groups and service providers. Ideas for interventions emerge from the community and they are supported by partners to develop solutions that are evidence based e.g. research, best practice locally, nationally and or internationally if it is appropriate. Co-production and Time Bank methodologies are being explored to stimulate meaningful public engagement and participation. Working in partnership with the Kings Cross and Origin Time banks we reward local people for participating in the project. The project also creates opportunities for social and intergenerational activities. E.g. Christmas party, day trips
Residents identified a number of barriers to eating a healthy diet e.g. low levels of literacy (reading food labels/accessing sessions), no. of fast food outlets in the priority areas. We have provided accredited training for volunteers to deliver cookery clubs in the community. There were a no. of barriers to participating in physical activity e.g. cost, time, fear of crime, childcare. We have tried to develop low cost solutions to physical activity Residents wanted to develop or support food growing projects, walking group ( first one will start in Kilburn), parents were also keen to exercise with their children. ISOLATION Isolation appeared to be an issue – Residents mentioned that there was no access to befriending schemes unless you have a pre-existing health condition, lived within a particular boundary or were over a certain age. [A resident in Gospel Oak who does not have a local support network recalled a time when she had a fall and she was unable to receive assistance for a number of days] Residents are keen to restore community spirit and they feel that a lifestyle mentoring scheme could be a mechanism to reduce isolation but also support people to make healthier lifestyle choices and access services In discussions poor mental health was perceived as a big issue. Interestingly this issue was not prioritised by residents when they were asked to choose key themes for the HCAG to focus on. LACK OF KNOWLEDGE Residents, community groups and officers raised issues relating to communication. The HCAG creates partnerships by linking community sector into activities delivered by statutory services and vice versa. E.g. Linking NHS Camden with Solace Women’s aids (a women’s refuge) health and well being programme. Residents who are deaf have highlighted that they are unable to access various services: Lack of knowledge Lack of interpretation/interpretation services offered are not always as responsive as they may need. The action group is working with Disablility in Camden to find a local solution to some of these issues.
We will provide case studies and photos/video clips of the programmes highlighted
We will provide case studies and photos/video clips of the programmes highlighted