Creating Health Equity through HEAL Champions and HEAL Hubs
Creating Health Equity through HEAL Champions and HEAL Hubs
Health Equity Action Leadership (HEAL)
The Health Equity Action Leadership (HEAL) project is a two-year initiative designed to engage communities and develop leadership capacity among populations in Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. By equipping these communities with the skills to tackle health inequalities, the project plays a vital role in transforming local health services.
The project aims to strengthen staff capacity within TELCO and Barts Health NHS Trust to improve health outcomes and address disparities in healthcare access. A designated staff member, experienced in community organising, works at the intersection of TELCO and Barts Health. This individual is responsible for training, mobilising, and organising local populations, ensuring they can actively and meaningfully participate in the transformation of healthcare services
Our HEAL Champions programme was borne out of a relationship with our community partner, TELCO, and is rooted in relational values, and this is so important for continuing to build trust across our wider communities. In order to provide healthcare that works for everyone, we need to work with our communities to understand their needs, worries, and concerns, as well as their positive experiences and ideas for improvement. The HEAL Champions training provided a space for us to listen and learn from one another, understand each other better and leave with increased skills and confidence to tackle health inequalities and create health equity together. - Beth Brown, the Associate Director for Patient and Community Engagement and Participation
HEAL Champions Training
The first HEAL Champions training took place at the Citizens UK office, bringing together 22 dedicated leaders from three boroughs. This transformative session was led by two esteemed colleagues from Barts Health —the Associate Director for Patient and Community Engagement and Participation and the Inclusion and Community Engagement Manager —alongside two experienced community organisers who facilitated training on community organising. The combination of health literacy and community organising training made the session highly practical, providing participants with clear next steps. The health literacy segment offered a comprehensive overview of the support and services provided by the trust and guidance on how to access them. Additionally, stories from community organisers about how leaders navigated healthcare during COVID enriched the discussion, adding valuable real-world context to the conversation.
A Transformative Learning Experience
Participants engaged in a dynamic session that provided valuable insights into healthcare facilities, support to access services, community engagement, and feedback mechanisms. The session aimed to break down barriers between healthcare providers and the community, fostering trust and collaboration.
Participant Feedback:
- Gained a deeper understanding of healthcare facilities and how to access them.
- Clear guidance on where to find resources and support.
- Well-structured content, delivered effectively.
- Opened new doors for community engagement.
- Strengthened trust between communities and healthcare providers post-COVID.
- Exceeded expectations and inspired action.
- Encouraged sharing of knowledge and insights within the community.
"The HEAL (Health Equity Action Leadership) training was incredibly empowering. It provided us with simple yet essential information on navigating Bart's Health from the perspectives of both a patient and a visitor, information that was entirely new to me. This is crucial because it allows HEAL champions to pass on what we’ve learned to others in our community.
In doing so, we can correct misunderstandings and share vital resources and information that, despite being readily available, remain largely unknown to many. Grasping this information is key to better managing our health. Furthermore, the HEAL training empowers leaders to advocate effectively for themselves or others."- Averil Pooten Watan. TELCO Co Chair
Impact of the Training: Confidence Boost
A key focus of the training was to empower participants with the confidence to provide feedback and access services. The transformation in confidence levels was remarkable:
Before the Session:
- Giving feedback about their experience:
- 2/15 felt 'somewhat confident'
- 13/15 were 'not at all confident'
- 0/15 were 'very confident'
- Knowing how to find out about a service:
- 15/15 were 'not at all confident'
- 0/15 were 'somewhat confident'
- 0/15 were 'very confident'
After the Session:
- Giving feedback about their experience: 100% very confident.
- Knowing how to find out about a service: 100% very confident.
The significant shift in confidence highlights the effectiveness of the HEAL Champions training in equipping community leaders with the tools and knowledge to advocate for their communities. This training marks the beginning of a powerful movement towards stronger community engagement in healthcare. The participants are eager to share their newfound knowledge, ensuring that more voices are heard and more communities are empowered.
Stay tuned for future training sessions and the continued impact of the HEAL Champions!