A Community of Practice is a group of people who share a common concern (for example health inequality), a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfil both individual and group goals. 

Our ‘Health Inequalities Communities of Practice’ were open to anyone working or volunteering on the ‘frontline’ in primary care, mental health services, local authority, and the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise sector (VCSE),  to take action together on the differences in health across the population and between different groups in society.

For example, in 2024, the average life expectancy for a healthy male in the most deprived areas of Buckinghamshire was 77.2 years old and for a female, was 79.7 years old. Compare this to the least deprived areas life expectancy for men was 81.5 years old and women 85.1 years.

Health inequalities are shaped by deprivation, social determinants, and access to services, resulting in measurable differences in life expectancy, heath outcomes, and wellbeing across the county.

Find out more about health inequalities in Buckinghamshire, see the Buckinghamshire Council website.

The 2-year programme of in-person events  in Aylesbury and High Wycombe (with some in Chesham) built local networks  to improve our collective understanding and support for  local people experiencing health inequalities.

Participants were able to learn, and share knowledge and experience. This learning helped to deepen understanding of these complex issues, anchored in day-to-day work, improved the ability of participants to connect their patients/ clients with other services that they need.  

• 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
• Domestic Abuse
• Active Lifestyles - 'The Miracle Cure'
• Mothers and Babies and the support available to them
• The work of the VCSE Mental Health Collaboration Project
• Childhood Obesity