Adapting, expanding and embedding community and culture into health ecosystems

A new report, released by ARCHES (Arts and Culture in Health Ecosystems) has found that although community organisations can reach people statutory services often fail to, they are usually “missing in health and wellbeing strategies”.

• Understand their people and places – ensuring their services are inclusive and culturally competent.
• Provide “whole person” support – understanding that people have multiple, interwoven needs that often emerge once someone feels secure.
• Are started and staffed by passionate local people and have partnerships with business and community leaders.
• Understand the importance of providing activities that do not patronise or stigmatise participants.
• Build on people’s strengths and interests as a first step to developing a relationship. This often involves engaging people through access to the natural environment or creative activity.

The report draws on examples from Bedford, Halifax, Birmingham and London:

• ACCM (UK) in Bedford supports girls and women affected by illegal traditional cultural practices, and addresses wider health inequalities. Many of the communities they serve are uncomfortable accessing mainstream health services, so ACCM organise inclusive events like their African celebration, providing a platform to engage people in health services and get them support from mental health workers and pharmacists in an informal setting. Trusted ACCM staff knock on doors and engage individuals to ensure they get help. Read the case study here: Arches-ACCM-Case-Study-Update.PDF (locality.org.uk)

• Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT) provide help with employability, skills development, entrepreneurship, and family support. Recognising the limitations of the traditional classroom , HOT established a community garden as a way for adults & young people to acquire skills through practical experience in cooking, gardening, and social interaction. Read the case study here: ARCHES-HOT-Case-Study-update.pdf (locality.org.uk)

• St Pauls Community Development Trust in Birmingham provide a nursery, children's’ centre, school and city farm. Through accessing the different services over time, people build trusting relationships with local staff and volunteers, and improve their health and wellbeing. However, the loss of reliable funding is making it increasingly difficult to “knit-together” this holistic support. Read the case study here: . ARCHES-St-Pauls-Case-Study-update.pdf (locality.org.uk)

• Pembroke House in London provide safe, creative spaces and arts activities for their diverse community. While offering wrap-around services including health and nutrition, activities avoid an explicit health focus to mitigate stigma. Read the case study here: ARCHES-Pembroke-Case-Study-update.pdf (locality.org.uk)