New support for Health and Wellbeing Boards to build stronger communities

A new framework to help Health and Wellbeing Boards across England to build stronger local communities and capacity for self-management is published today by Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) and Public Health England.

Developing the Power of Strong, Inclusive Communities sets out a strategy, which can be adapted locally, for how Health and Wellbeing Boards and partners can meet the new wellbeing and prevention duties in the Care Act, fulfil obligations around integration of health and social care and respond to ongoing pressure on public finances by harnessing the capacity of people and communities.

The Framework has been tested and refined by seven Health and Wellbeing Boards across England, and brings together the wealth of learning and the growing evidence base around community capacity building, including from TLAP's own work over the last four years.

Gregor Henderson, National Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England said: "Health and Wellbeing Boards are doing great work across the country to improve the lives of people in their local communities. Public Health England is pleased to be working with Think Local Act Personal on this framework designed to further support Health and Wellbeing Boards to innovate and identify best practices in their area."

Sam Bennett, Director of Think Local Act Personal, a partnership focused on transforming health and care through personalised, community-based support said:

"This framework will help Health and Wellbeing boards fundamentally rethink how people, communities and services can more effectively and efficiently work together to enable people with health and care needs to live better lives. We are pleased that in partnership with Public Health England (PHE), we will be continuing to support Health and Wellbeing Boards to make the development of strong and inclusive communities integral to their work."

Alex Fox, CEO of Shared Lives, and TLAP Board lead for Building Community Capacity said: "The role played by strong, inclusive communities in promoting health and wellbeing is by now well-known and the positive impact of social participation across a range of health and wellbeing indicators has become compelling. However, whilst it is clear that there exists some excellent practice, for too long a strategic approach to building community capacity has been absent and for this reason I am delighted that Think Local Act Personal in partnership with Public Health England has developed this framework to support the work of Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Clenton Farquharson and Marjory Brought, TLAP's citizen co-chairs who were also involved in the development of this work, comment: "This framework makes a persuasive case for putting co-production with people who use services, carers and families at the heart of the future health and care system. We are the best integrators of our care and with the right support, can tap into our local communities' assets to improve both physical and mental health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life."

Thanks to the seven Health and Wellbeing Boards who helped us test and refine this framework: Sheffield, Southampton, West Sussex, Derby, Gloucester, Dudley and Doncaster.

Think Local Act Personal and Public Health England will host a number of regional events to support Health and Wellbeing Boards to think about how they can use the framework to support delivery of their local priorities. TLAP and PHE will also establish a practitioners' network to bring together all those working in this space to build a comprehensive picture of activity, identify gaps and synergies and develop a robust evidence base and outcome measuring approach to building community capacity.