The third year of our funding cycle with the Health and Wellbeing Alliance came to an end early spring. Managed by the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England, this alliance, comprised of 18 Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) members, including the Race Equality Foundation, has been instrumental in advocating for marginalised groups experiencing health inequalities.
One of the key initiatives we delved into is the exploration of social prescribing and its impact on health inequalities among Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. Social prescribing is a holistic approach endorsed by health professionals and aims to improve mental health and physical well-being by addressing social, emotional, and practical needs.
While promoted as an effective approach by the government, there has been a lack of evidence as to whether this is a successful health intervention for Black, Asian and ethnic minoritised communities. To bridge this gap, we worked with link workers to collect data on social prescribing activities in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, and Islington, London, as well as identifying case studies in the London Boroughs of Camden and Ealing.
In Kirklees and Islington, our findings revealed higher referral rates among Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities in relation to their population sizes in those areas, an outcome that might be related to the higher proportion of minoritised ethnic communities living in deprived areas. This sheds light on the importance of further research to ascertain the true impact of social prescribing on health disparities.
Moreover, our commitment to enhancing end-of-life care for individuals with dementia from Black, Asian and ethnic minoritised backgrounds has provided an in-depth exploration into the inequalities that occur here. Through a series of online seminars and in-depth discussions, we’ve identified existing inequalities and avenues for improvement. A notable outcome is our report on reablement for people living with dementia from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, which underscores the need for tailored support and services to address their unique needs.
In tandem with this, our efforts to bolster physical health checks (PHCs) for individuals with severe mental illness from African and Caribbean communities have yielded promising results. By developing tailored training packages and collaborating with voluntary organisations, we’ve provided staff with the requisite knowledge and tools to promote PHCs effectively. Through training sessions, webinars, and the creation of informative resources, we’ve not only raised awareness but also promoted a culture of proactive healthcare engagement within these communities.
As we embark on the next phase of our journey, the lessons learned and successes achieved in Year Three provide us with the tools to continue making strides towards a healthier and more equitable future.
