Community organisations shape the way to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Pennine Lancashire

Around 100 representatives of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) met with statutory health and care organisations at Accrington Town Hall on 21 March 2018 to look at how they can work together better, to improve the health, care and wellbeing of residents across Pennine Lancashire.

The Pennine Plan sets out our proposals to improve the health of people living in Pennine Lancashire (which covers Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire), as well as improving health and care services in the area. It sets out our ambition to strengthen the collaboration of health and care providers working with and alongside the many excellent Voluntary, Community and Faith sector organisations. Coming together at this event provided a platform to look at how we can better improve and co-ordinate health and care services across the area.

Michelle Pilling, Lay Member Patient and Public Involvement, and Deputy Chair at NHS East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

"The difference with this event was that it was planned by the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) with the sector in mind. They were keen to ensure that it was fun and interactive as well as informative and constructive. It is absolutely essential that the many services provided by the VCFS  are valued and harnessed as we work to improve health and care in Pennine Lancashire."

The discussion workshops were jointly facilitated by public sector employees and members of the VCFS and focussed on the New Model of Care for Pennine Lancashire. Attendees were asked to share what they currently offer in relation to Living Happy, Healthy and Well, Keeping Happy, Healthy and Well, Joined-Up Care and Support and In-Hospital Care and Support work streams, what barriers they currently face and also look at what opportunities there are to do more.

Lots of positive feedback was received in relation to what is available for residents in Pennine Lancashire and valuable suggestions were given on how to better utilise what is on offer. We will use this feedback to shape our plans for moving forward.  Together a Healthier Future looks forward to continuing our work with the VCFS organisations to ensure we have a strong and successful platform to work together for a Healthier Future.