IVAR Project: Collaborating with elderly people to tackle health and inequalities

What are we doing?

The IVAR project is about connecting health communities it is an 18-month support package (facilitated by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research) to enable cross-sector partnerships to address health inequalities. The programme works with local health systems (at Integrated Care System and Primary Care Network levels), the voluntary sector and communities facing health inequalities. The aim is to kick-start and sustain cross-sector partnerships that deliver improved health outcomes for vulnerable groups.

We understand health inequalities are driven by various determinants of health such as housing, income, employment, education, social isolation or disability – all of which affect people’s access to good healthcare. In connecting health communities, groups will determine what ‘health inequalities’ means for them, and how they intend to tackle them through cross-sector partnership working. We are involved in the programme as a local co-ordinating body; an organisation based locally to support the involvement of communities experiencing health inequalities in Wirral.

Why we are doing this?

We would like to work with IVAR to support the Wirral with collaborative working to tackle health inequalities with a focus on the NHSE Ageing Well agenda. There are many groups, forums and opportunities across the Wirral that are outlined below. We would welcome some support to test a way of working that ensures genuine cross sector working and ensures that the strategic voice of the VCF sector is heard at this crucial time.

The Wirral has a wealth of experience of working collaboratively. More recently, an example was the establishment of the Humanitarian Cell to address immediate need for residents of the Wirral because of Covid 19.  This is something we would like to build on, and embed in a systematic way, and not lose the good will, energy and trust that has been established during a difficult period.

Who (Potential Partners)

·         Health Watch Wirral

·         Wired Carers Engage

·         Wirral Mind