Wolverhampton City PCT ... Making good partnerships
Achieving improved health care, particularly for BME communities, requires health partnerships with those already serving those communities.
The ABCD Community project serves the All Saints and Blakenhall areas of Wolverhampton. Both post-industrial areas have large BME - chiefly south Asian - populations that experience social deprivation, exclusion and health inequity.
The Graiseley Community Healthy Living Centre was set up by the Local Authority to further develop the work of the ABCD project
The refurbished school premises has a gym, runs health awareness ,healthy eating sessions, exercise and social classes held, for example, by the Heath Town Senior Citizens African Caribbean Group and the Ekta Centre Asian Elders Group . The centre is run by a partnership between the local authority, Wolverhampton PCT, the voluntary sector and acute trust.
'We commission some of the activities,' says Stephanie Harris, Wolverhampton PCT's Director of Workforce. ' we work with the teachers and children from Graiseley Primary School - they are encouraged to take exercise and eat healthy meals, particularly breakfast. Our food for health worker, walking for health and diabetic link workers are either seconded to, or work very closely with, the centre.
'So, instead of expecting people to come to the PCT, we go to them. The goal is to bring together all the local formal and informal networks in a project that is community-driven rather than health-driven, but in which health is a catalyst.'
The benefits are clear, adds Ms Harris. 'This venture has only going for about 6months and we are already raising the awareness of diabetes amongst the population, improving their diet and older people are becoming more active.'
Stephanie.harris@wolvespct.nhs.uk