Description

Health inequalities are in the news at the moment, with  NHS organisations setting out to understand and address them, with a strong focus on the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds.

But where do third sector (community) groups fit in? 

How do you build trust with women and families from Black and ethnic minority communities and design services that are flexible enough to meet people’s needs?

It is not a quick fix.

They seem to be doing something right in Coventry but it is a formula that has been built over many years and involves a holistic, integrated approach.

Today I am talking to Noreen Buckari, who tells us about the work of FWT, a  community-led organisation helping women fulfil their dreams and contribute fully in life and work. The work thrives because of close relationships with maternity and other statutory services in Coventry, working together to support families, and specifically now as we emerge from the pandemic.

When I tweeted saying I was looking forward to talking to  Noreen, there was an outpouring of love. Noreen is making such a difference to women, and particularly those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, and I’m proud to have her on the podcast.

Lemon lightbulbs  🍋💡🍋

• Collaboration is key - statutory and community services working TOGETHER 
• ‘MAMTA’ means ‘motherly love’ in South Asian languages!
• Women from ‘BAME’ community have individual needs - there is no ‘one size fits all’
• Building a holistic service, based on trust, flexibility and relationships takes many years - not a tick box!
• Good support is not just  health - but the social determinants of health: housing, debt management, parent education +++
• New parents (and staff!) have had a tough time during Covid. The damage can run deep
• Invest in small, specialised organisations; recognise the value they bring
• Empower people to help themselves
• Listen to women - the impact of our Whose Shoes work in Coventry!
• Creativity - Coventry, City of Culture!
• The Symphony of Us – there is more that connects us, than divides us
• Anna Geyer’s visual recordings help the ongoing impact of Whose Shoes events
• Small, flexible community-based organisations are excellent value for money
• Do something specific and do it well
• Integration relies on all the pieces in a jigsaw, don’t take away pieces of the puzzle!
• If it works, keep funding it! Innovation is needed when things are not working
• Don’t mess with people’s lives, to fulfil the needs of your short-term projects!
• Sustainability is key – empower people to support themselves

Links

FWT - a centre for women

Whose Shoes - latest workshop in Coventry 

Warwick Uni film - link coming soon

Whose Shoes  in Croydon re the needs of ‘BAME’ women using maternity care https://youtu.be/rlfwwT0dvUg

Meet Gaynor Armstrong, Head of Midwifery in Coventry

Symphony of Us
City of Culture carnival

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I tweet as @WhoseShoes and @WildCardWS and am on Instagram as @WildCardWS.

Please recommend 'Wild Card - Whose Shoes' to others who enjoy hearing passionate people talk about their experiences of improving health care.