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Regeneration News
Community investment health impact explored

How can housing and regeneration have an impact on the health of the communities they serve? That was the question 76 delegates sought to examine at a People for Action seminar last week.

The answer lies in the community investment work these organisations carry out. A resident once defined health as "decent housing, nice neighbours, good friends, not feeling isolated, having enough money to live on, having a clean environment and some community facilities and resources", and a series of practitioner-led workshops gave examples of what can be achieved.

An important aspect of the day was the need to make the links, to recognise the role that housing and regeneration organisations play in creating healthy communities.

Jeremy Porteus, the Housing Network Lead of the Department of Health's Change Agent Team, spoke of the shift in health care by demonstrating how important to invest at the community level care, rather than the acute level care.

Heantun Housing Association's project has improved the health of 165 older people through extensive networking with different service groups. Janet Chand, Project Manager of Heantun Care's Good Neighbour Project said "[the project is a] new way of working and thinking".

Building Blocks Solutions uses an asset based community development approach, it sees what people have to offer, not what their deficiencies are. Building Blocks's 'First Steps', provides practical support, information, advice and assistance in order to make people's lives more manageable. Working alongside the GPs in the area, First Steps stops people entering the mental health system. "Sometimes just having somebody to talk to for 45 minutes is enough" Graham Gardiner, Director of Building Blocks explaining the success of First Steps.

Impact Housing Association has a financial inclusion department, Nick Jepps, Financial Inclusion Officer at Impact spoke of the work his organisation is doing around financial inclusion, the workshop formed much discussion around the DWP Direct Payment Initiative. Impact Housing Association has a number of financial inclusion projects to support tenants overcome the issues that may arise form the direct payment scheme.

Overall the seminar was a valuable learning tool in recognising the kind of activities that can impact on health. The day looked at a range of stimulating presentations that demonstrated these activities. The day was also a success in sharing ideas, a key part that is present in all PfA seminars.

Published at Sapling.info: October 2004

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