Several Pobl staff attended the recent Health, Social Care and Housing Conference run by Community Housing Cymru.
The main theme was how we can work together across sectors to make a difference to people’s lives. Vikki Hiscocks, Derwen’s Head of Health and Wellbeing, was on the main panel talking about the conversations we should be having to make this a reality and reflecting on some of the risks, pressures and opportunities of partnership working.
One of the conclusions we drew from the event was that partnership working, that really makes a difference, was not about process and systems (these help of course) but really it’s about having the right people involved; people who are passionate and committed to having the right conversations and making things happen.
Duncan Forbes (conference Chair) reflected that conversations can change lives, thinking about his time as a community worker. These are conversations that many of our colleagues across the group are having everyday (right now!) when they speak to a Pobl tenant, resident or someone we support. Anna Sussex (Cardiff and Vale Health Board) spoke about seeing beyond how people present in A&E and working with partner agencies to resolve underlying issues such as childhood trauma, domestic abuse, debt and housing situation. This way of working makes a real difference to people’s lives and reduces reliance on the NHS. It was a powerful example.
Conversations at a more strategic level can have a similar life changing impact. Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Social Services and Public Health, was at the conference and talked about the importance of integration and collaboration in line with the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act and Future Generations (Wales) Act. The example she used was Pobl’s Ty Eirlys scheme in Newport and spoke glowingly about her recent visit and encouraged others to learn about it.
Duncan finished the day by challenging us all to have more conversations; who knows what difference they will make.
If you’ve not seen it, check out the video of Ty Eirlys here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81WwY3YPJcg
Article added: 25th September 2017
