Brent Health Matters

The goal of the Brent Health Matters Programme is to reduce health inequalities in Brent.

Health inequalities are avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different groups of people.

Our shared programme will be looking to engage with the community on a number of wide ranging issues to reduce the health inequalities experienced in Brent.

"Our health is shaped by a complex interaction between many factors. These include the quality of health and care services, individual behaviours, the places and communities in which people live and wider determinants such as education, housing and access to green space. Health inequalities arise as a result of systematic variations in these factors across a population."

"Health inequalities are ultimately about differences in the status of people’s health. The term is also commonly used to refer to differences in the care that people receive and the opportunities that they have to lead healthy lives, both of which can contribute to their health status." King Fund

Inequality means that the resources required to create better health outcomes are not evenly distributed.

As such the areas with poorer health outcomes or higher rates of long term health conditions will have more focus than other parts of the borough.

It is only by working with the local people, groups and organisations around Brent and listening to what you have to say that we can improve the overall health of our borough.

You can get involved in Brent Health Matters by becoming a Community Champion or joining us at our next Community Forum Meeting.

A member of our team would be happy to talk to you about how the programme works in more detail. Email us at BrentHealthMatters@brent.gov.uk

The inverse care law

"This is a phenomenon whereby the more disadvantaged a community, the less investment is made in health and social care services. This situation arises and is perpetuated via a circular relationship between low community demand/expectations, lack of community participation in decision-making processes and agency disinvestment." Kings Fund

Short term impacts

• Reduce impacts of Covid-19 on the community.
• Increase uptake of vaccinations and health screening.
• Increase community awareness of existing support/services and improve access to health services.
• Increased engagement with GP Practices including an increase in the number of people registered with a GP.

Long term impacts

• Reduce variation in life expectancy and long term health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, mental health and cardiovascular disease).
• System wide understanding of the cultural and local reasons why patients do not engage in NHS services, which will inform future planning.
• Actions delivered to address the wider determinants of health, from housing to employment and environment.

Community Champions are local people who have an interest in the health of their community and volunteer their time on the Brent Health Matters Programme.

Some champions may represent a specific group or organisation, while others may be local residents who want to connect more about community health.

Each community champion is connected to one of five ‘hyper-local’ areas and is invited to the monthly local Community Champion Meetings and Forum Meetings.

Every champion is involved in the programme in a way that is unique to them. Some champions will be involved a lot and work with many parts of the programme; while others may only want to listen learn about the health issues affecting their area and share Brent Health Matters health messages.

What do they do?

The core aim remains the same – to champion positive health related messages in their community with the support of local community and health services.

This role is suitable for all experience levels. The minimum we expect is champions have a one-to-one check-in about once every six weeks, learn about local health messages, and share these messages in their networks where possible.

Beyond this, the role can grow with individual availability, experience and interest.

Become a champion

To understand how becoming a champion could work for you, contact us to arrange a callback with someone from our team. Email: brenthealthmatters@brent.gov.uk

Community Champion Support

Coordinators will have regular one-to-one check-ins with each champion at a frequency that works for both parties

These calls will be a key opportunity for a one-to-one conversation to allow Champions to:

• Share how the programme is working for them
• Share their unique perspectives of them and their community

Meet some of our existing champions! 

Umesh

Umesh has lived in Brent for 25 years, moving from Nepal where he was a lawyer. As well as being a Community Champion, he runs a weekly newspaper for the Nepalese community.

"It’s my passion and my pleasure to work with different communities of people and share our experiences. I’m learning from them too".

"As a Community Champion I’ve spread awareness to people in the community regarding Covid-19, vaccines and testing".

Jasmine

Jasmine was born and bred in Brent, and owns a hairdressers and restaurant on Blackbird Hill. She became a Community Champion because she is very passionate about her community.

"I became a Community Champion because of what I do. As a black business owner of 19 years, my belief is to use my learnt skills to build my community".

"The most rewarding element has been that people are taking note of what we’ve been doing, and we’re finding a solution to the situation".

Suraj

Suraj was born in Mumbai and moved to Brent in 2016, where he has lived ever since. He is a NHS Physiotherapist as well as a Community Champion.

"Being BAME I understand the health inequalities we face. I was looking for something to do within the community and I found out about Brent Health Matters".

"Covid has exposed so many things, and my goal is ensuring a healthy Brent".

Sharon

Sharon has lived in Brent all her life. In addition to being a Community Champion, she runs her own Community Interest Company to support vulnerable children and young adults - and cares for her daughter, who has autism.

"As a Community Champion I have connected people to the help they need, and have been a listening ear".

"I would recommend being a Community Champion. It is always good to give back to the community".

Brent Health Matters Community Forums are local community meetings to raise awareness on health inequality problems affecting communities across Brent.

Forums help by connecting residents, community groups, the local council and health services together on certain issues which are disproportionately affecting some groups more than others.

We are hosting a Forum for collaboration and networking between different groups on specific health issues to raise awareness, better understand local concerns and identify opportunities for local people and services to take action on.

Each Forum is based on a health issue or ‘theme’ that is disproportionately affecting the residents and communities across Brent. 

Brent Council is the second most culturally diverse borough in the UK. The Council responsible for social care and provide some aspects of transport, housing, and a range of neighbourhood services including libraries and waste collection. Currently there are 63 councillors (also known as members) who are elected across 21 wards.

Brent CCG members include the 52 GP practices in the Borough of Brent. They work closely with these GPs to develop local healthcare plans. GP member practices elect GPs and other colleagues who represent them on their Governing Body; elected members include the Chair and Vice Chairs.

London North West University Healthcare Trust was formed by the merger of North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and Ealing Hospital NHS Trusts in October 2014. It is home to the largest emergency department in Europe.

Central and North West London Trust provides healthcare in London, Milton Keynes, Surrey and elsewhere. It was created in 2002 by a merger between Brent, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare Trust, and others.

We are pleased to announce that applications for the £250k of Brent Health Matters Health and Wellbeing grant is now open for constituted groups and organisations based in Brent. 

The Health and Wellbeing Grants aims to reduce health inequalities and are available for projects that meet at least one of the following priority outcomes of the BHM programme:

• Raise uptake of all vaccinations and health screenings
• Increase awareness of both statutory and community support services, including mental health and primary care services
• Increase the number of people registered with a GP
• Increase referrals to support services
• Improve Health and wellbeing for communities
• Support in reducing the impact of long term health conditions
• Reduce impacts of Covid-19 in the community

How will the grant be divided?

Each Brent Connects area will have £50,000 available for projects that benefit your local community:

This grant is open to receive applications capped at £10,000 per application for projects delivering up to one year. 

Find full information about the grants, the process and how to apply.