Health Inequalities Communities of Practice

The Health Inequalities Communities of Practice are bringing together those who work and volunteer with people experiencing health inequalities, from inclusion health groups and/or with protected characteristics in areas of deprivation in towns in Buckinghamshire (e.g., Aylesbury, High Wycombe)

For example – the average life expectancy for a healthy male in the most deprived areas of Buckinghamshire is 63 years old and for a female, it’s 64 years old. Compare this to the least deprived areas where the life expectancy of a male is 70 years old and for a female it’s 72.

What is a Community of Practice and how can it help address health inequalities?
A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern (e.g. health inequality), a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfil both individual and group goals.
Each CoP will give the attendees the opportunity to learn, share knowledge and experience, and deepen understanding of these complex issues, anchored in day-to-day work.

The CoPs will help to build networks in towns in Buckinghamshire; each facilitated meeting will explore a theme or topic, bringing together those working and volunteering in communities to share lived experience and knowledge.
Topics for past sessions have included:
Multi-Faith Perspectives of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Exploring Health Inequalities
Support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Trauma-informed approaches to providing support
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
Alcohol and Substance Use and Addiction
Understanding intersectionalities with faiths and cultures

Suggestions from CoP participants for topics are welcomed and encouraged.
Who should attend?
Who should attend?
Anyone working on the ‘frontline’ in primary care, mental health services, local authority, and the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise sector (VCSE), with a common interest in supporting people experiencing health inequalities.

This could include:

Advice workers
Advocacy providers
Foodbank volunteers
Social support workers
Staff and volunteers in faith-based or community organisations
Outreach workers
Homelessness support
Substance misuse support
Refugees and asylum seeker support
Social workers
Community nurses
Community pharmacists
Social prescribers
Health and wellbeing coaches
Care navigators
Mental health practitioners
Probation support

This list is not exhaustive.

This is not a forum for managers or CEOs, but a space encouraging open discussion between those working directly with communities. Individuals will learn from each other, share knowledge, ask questions and explore solutions that will benefit local people.

If you would like to know more about the Health Inequalities Communities of Practice or would like to be added to the mailing list for its upcoming events, please email HealthInequalitiesCoP@communityimpactbucks.org.uk

The Communities of Practice are, organised by Community Impact Bucks and Buckinghamshire Health & Social Care Academy. This new initiative is supported by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB)’s Prevention and Health Inequalities funding.

Check out the information also on Community Impact Bucks' website here.

The next Communities of Practice are scheduled for September 2025 (dates as below); details on topics/venues and registrations will be confirmed and circulated in the coming weeks.

Aylesbury

Thursday 19th September

10:30am - 12:30pm

Buckinghamshire Community Wellbeing (BCW) Hub

Buckinghamshire New University, Aylesbury Campus

59 Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP21 7QG

Registration TBC

High Wycombe

Friday 26th September

10:20am - 12:30pm

Seminar Room TBD

Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe