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
Domestic Abuse
Active Lifestyles - 'The Miracle Cure'

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 November 2025 and will focus on Mothers and Babies.

There are a range of health inequalities experienced by pregnant women and new mothers and their babies. The November sessions of the Health Inequalities Communities of Practice will focus on Mothers and Babies will explore a range of support services that are available for them.

We will hear from:

Barnardo’s about their new Women’s Community Health Service project
The Public Health Team at Buckinghamshire Council about about advice and support that they can offer including the Healthy Start scheme, and
The Improving Immunisations Uptake Team from NHS South, Central and West

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with all speakers.

High Wycombe

Friday 9th November

10:20am - 12:30pm

Seminar Room N1.05 (North Wing)

Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe

Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2JZ

Register to attend this event here

Aylesbury

Friday 14th November

10:30am - 12:30pm

Buckinghamshire Community Wellbeing (BCW) Hub