Social Actionfor Health2008
SAfH Annual Report 2008 -Themes
We divide our work into five main themes, which take up different positions along the SAfH Spiral. Whilst most of our projects fall within morethan one of these, one theme is usually more prevalent.One underlying theme which is not listed below, but which deserves special mention is Training and Education. This is a core activity which iscentral to everything we do and which runs along the entire spiral, touching each and every project.
Community Development
At the centre of our spiral are the local people themselves, the grassroots. We believe that strong, active communities, based upon the values ofsocial justice, respect and equality, are an essential prerequisite to health. Therefore community development is the part of our work which kick-starts the spiral into action: We listen to local people's concerns and issues, then facilitate their access to information and services, support themin formulating their own solutions and in having their voices heard.In 2007 we undertook community research into the views, concerns and aspirations of local residents on four estates in Hackney. More than onethousand residents participated. We trained local lay people from different ethnic backgrounds to gather and help interpret the information, whichnow informs our work on those estates.
Health Information and Literacy
The second step on our spiral is about Access to Services. For us this includes improving local people's knowledge of the services they areentitled to and health professionals' awareness of local needs.We train and support local people to act as own-language health guides within their communities. In this way we provide excluded people withinformation and guidance on positive health and how to access health services. The health guides also act as representatives, bringing issues ofconcern to the policy makers.
Self Management
Next up is Self Management. This is about empowering people to take control of their health, the third step on our spiral. We train and supportlocal people to deliver projects such as the Diabetes Prevention Programme. This is targeted at the Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets andhelps those at risk of developing diabetes to make lifestyle changes which can improve their chances of avoiding the disease. Participants takepart in a six week education and training course, a nine week physical activity course and receive follow up mentoring for a further six months.The success of these courses depends entirely on the involvement of our lay participants. They not only help with promoting our work in theircommunities. They also lead on quality assurance and evaluation and many will, in time, become accredited trainers themselves.
Networks and Alliances
Networking is half way along our spiral; it is the heart which pumps life through Social Action for Health and runs through all aspects of ourwork. Networking helps to share the workload between member organisations, as well as resources, experiences and learning.The Hackney Information and Advice Consortium, for example, places generic advice workers from the consortium's member organisationswithin GP surgeries. Patients often come to their GPs with a complex mix of issues. This service allows the GPs to focus on health whilst thepatients' wider social problems are not being ignored.A new alliance hosted by SAfH, Hackney LINk, will create pathways and opportunities for local residents to influence policy and practice in thelocal health and social care economy.
Research and Influencing Policy
In order to inform policy from a sound evidence base, we continue to act as delivery agent in research projects run by partner institutions. Themethodology applied is informed by our community work.
Our Aim: • To work with local people towards health, justice, equality and communityOur Values: • We start with the people • People have the right to take control of their lives • People’s health can be improved by tackling isolation, poverty, racism and unemployment • Healthy communities are good for the whole society
Forgingalliances
We linkcommunity groupsfor mutual benefit
Workingtogether
We help communitiesto organise
Takingcontrol
We teach peopleto manage theirown health
Grass roots work
We engage withlocal people’sown agendas
Buildingnetworks
We sustain servicesfor local people
Influencing policy
We take local people’s agendasto decision makers
Changingpractice
We seek tomake practicemore responsive
Accessto services
We improvepeople’s knowledgeof their entitlements
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