Why engaging people is crucial to tackling health inequalities

We talk about inequalities because they have a real impact on health. But this session will go one step further to see how system-wide inequalities can be identified. We'll look at how to tackle inequalities by working with people who know what it is like to not get the care they need because of who they are or where they live.  

Listening closely to those with direct experience gives us the best chance of addressing systemic inequalities.  
 
Who is the session suitable for: All Healthwatch staff and volunteers. 

What you’ll learn:  

• Find out what more we can do to engage with communities worst affected by health inequalities.  
• Understand what changes we need to make to how we gather people’s experiences. 
• Discuss how we could work with regional partners to ensure that every voice is heard and acted upon. 

Break

Tackling health inequalities: How can we improve the ways we engage with, and amplify, the experiences of lesser heard voices?

Join our two-part session, which continues to explore the reflections from the earlier panel discussion.  

Our National Director, Louise Ansari asks: In the next three years, what could we do differently, as a network, and through our engagement methods, to better support people in hard-to-reach communities?

Who is the session suitable for:  All Healthwatch staff and volunteers. 

(Z)

Tackling health inequalities Workshop

Split into breakout groups to discuss practical steps to connect with our communities. You’ll also talk about how to collect and highlight valuable examples to bring about change and how you can create opportunities for communities to lead the process of improvement. 

What you’ll learn: 

• How we can improve engagement over the next three years. 
• Share reflections from regional community experiences and help shape the way we engage with people from hard to reach communities. 

Lunch

The difference we’ve made - Healthwatch Impact Awards showcase

Come along and hear from Healthwatch who have been shortlisted for an award. Find out about the fantastic projects that have positively changed local communities and the details of what made them a success. 
 
The showcases will take place daily during Healthwatch Week, so you can hear from everyone shortlisted.  

Who is the session suitable for: All Healthwatch staff and volunteers. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Hear the story behind projects shortlisted for an award – including the challenges Healthwatch faced, and how they made a difference. 
• Get inspiration for tried and tested methods you can take back to your own local Healthwatch. 

Close of day