Involving Communities Caroline Bloomfield Community Development Worker Belfast Health Action Zone October 2007

What is the Health Action Zone? A multi-sectoral partnership which works to reduce inequalities and promote the health, wellbeing and safety of the population of Belfast Adopting a broad social model of health

HAZ Council Belfast City Council Belfast Education and Library Board Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (lead) Belfast Metropolitan College Belfast Regeneration Office Business in the Community Council for Catholic Maintained Schools Department for Employment and Learning Department for Social Development East Belfast Partnership EHSSB/Health and Social Care Authority Greater Shankill Partnership North Belfast Partnership Northern Ireland Housing Executive Northern Ireland Probation Board Queen’s University Social Security Agency South Belfast Partnership University of Ulster West Belfast Partnership Board

What is the community? Who/what is your community?

What is the community? Pupils, parents, extended family Wider community –Geographic community –Communities of interest Community and voluntary sector –National level –Regional level –Local level –Independent umbrella organisations

Community Sector Healthy Living Centres –Smoking cessation, drug & alcohol, physical activity, mental health promotion, healthy eating etc Adult education programmes, including confidence building /promoting self-esteem Parenting initiatives Early years services After schools clubs Counselling Restorative justice programmes Peer mentoring programmes

Partnership All HAZ work is premised on partnership working: –Between statutory organisations –Between statutory organisations and community + voluntary organisations Often performs a brokering role, facilitating dialogue between a range of organisations

Involving the Community – a HAZ perspective A working partnership –Integrated Services – LIAGs –Suicide and Self-harm Task Group –Greater Shankill 21 –Neighbourhood Renewal –Healthy Living Centres Network –Involvement in other partnerships

Integrated Services for Children and Young People West Belfast and Greater Shankill Led by Belfast Trust and BELB LIAGs being established, bringing together wide range of organisations, including community LIAG will determine local needs and plan best use of resources Linking in with Neighbourhood Renewal, Renewing Communities, Extended Schools

Suicide and Self-harm Task Group High incidence in N+W Belfast Brought together a wide range of people from statutory, community and voluntary organisations, + bereaved families Worked together to: Raise awareness Lobby for resources Achieve “joined up thinking” and action Report produced based on recommendations of subgroups

Importance of effective communication for partnership Feeling heard and respected Foundation of trust Feedback Jargon Ownership Common vision

How do you communicate and involve people? Examples from your own practice Barriers – how did you overcome them? How would you rate your communication skills, on a scale of 1 to 10?

Why do we involve people? Because we have to? Or we ought to? Or because we think it produces better results? Does it make a difference? Do you see benefits?

Benefits of Community Involvement For schools: –Parental involvement –Better information sharing –Breaking down barriers –Community organisations better understand what schools offer –Schools understand what groups offer, and can benefit from it directly in the school or pass the information on to families

Benefits of Community Involvement For HAZ –Better information sharing –Breaking down barriers –Helps HAZ achieve its goals. Better results eg Suicide – brought together the expertise of all involved LIAGs – everyone within locality is aware of all available resources, and can better plan for future Healthy Living Centres – funding secured

Shankill Early Years Forum Initiated by nursery principals and Sure Start Link to Neighbourhood Renewal Now bringing together nursery schools, Sure Start, childcare providers, playgroups, parent and toddler groups. Hope to provide a seamless transition for children

Examples of community groups working with schools HYPE – sexual health Healthy Living Centres – relaxation massage, + self esteem workshops, men’s health workshop Greater Shankill Alternatives – anti-social behaviour, culture and conflict, racism New Life Counselling – group and individual counselling

Sources of Information Belfast Area Partnership Boards NICVA Local Councils DSD – VCU – Health Action Zones Other local organisations

Contact Details Caroline Bloomfield Community Development Worker Health Action Zone 5th Floor 16 College Street Belfast BT1 6BT Tel: Web address: