The Healthier Communities Working group meets monthly and is made up from members of non-statutory organisations mainly from the Voluntary and Community sector within North East Lincolnshire. They meet to discuss local issues and raise any concerns identified relating to health and older people. The meetings offer an opportunity for networking and signposting and are open for anyone to join. Work streams are identified and prioritised by the group for work to be actioned and monitored.
The group has successfully challenged the Community Equipment Services review and since then has become part of the Equipment Services Steering Group; helping to drive forward the community focus and change required by the service.
Another success has been the formation of the Winter Planning Campaign, in partnership with the Adult Social Care (A3) team.
The financial downturn and changes to the NHS mean that we are constantly challenged. Part of our challenge is to ensure that we maintain links with organisations and create links with new ones.