Health Inequalities Communities of Practice
Three new Health Inequalities Communities of Practice will bring 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 Buckinghamshire.
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.
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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 Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe; each facilitated meeting will explore a theme or topic, bringing together those working and volunteering in communities to share lived experience and knowledge.
The first meetings will explore multi-faith perspectives of mental health and accessing support:
High Wycombe
Friday 10 May (10.30am-12pm)
Buckinghamshire Community Wellbeing Hub, Buckinghamshire New University’s High Wycombe campus
Aylesbury
Thursday 16 May (10.30 am-12pm)
Buckinghamshire Community Wellbeing Hub, Buckinghamshire New University’s Aylesbury campus

If the session you are interested in is fully booked, please contact HealthInequalitiesCoP@communityimpactbucks.org.uk to be added to a wait list.
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Topics for future sessions may include:
- Jargon-busting and highlighting barriers to accessing support
- cultural sensitivity and awareness for groups Who commonly experience health inequalities
- How best to support young people on waiting lists for mental health services
Suggestions from CoP participants for topics will be welcomed.
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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.
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.
Get in touch with BHSCA:
