A group working to tackle health inequalities has quadrupled its membership after a major refresh and new ways of working.
The Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) Healthy Communities Steering Group brings together colleagues from the NHS, local charities and community organisations to share insight, lived experience and ideas for reducing health inequalities across Kent. It provides a platform for discussion, collaboration and feedback to help improve access to care and ensure all voices are heard, particularly those of migrant communities and ethnic minorities.
The group introduced a range of changes, aiming to increase membership and for the group to include more external members, not just those working for KCHFT. Changes included rotating hosts so different organisations could share their work, spotlight sessions focused on key topics and an online portal for members to connect and share information.
Originally, just 23 per cent of members were from outside of KCHFT, but with membership growing from 35 to 140, external members now make up more than 60 per cent.
The project was led by Health Inequalities and Partnerships Manager Helen Merrick and is now supported by Community Development Events Coordinator Katy O’Shea and Head of Health Inequalities Adam Lott. Their collective efforts have helped create a stronger, more diverse and inclusive group, with members shaping how health inequalities are understood and addressed across local communities.
Katy said: “Our Healthy Communities Steering Group is part of our work towards reducing health inequalities. The group aims to better understand our communities, reduce health inequalities, and ensure our communities’ voices are heard.
“It is a platform to give insight into and share lived experience of health inequalities, barriers experienced and how we can begin to address these, while also acting as a consulting group on trust initiatives and projects to enhance equality and inclusion. It has been a team effort to get the group to where it is today.”
The Healthy Communities Steering Group project on a page
