The Grassroot Communities Network (GCN), launched by the Community Wellbeing Hub in early 2024, brings together over 42 community networks to address health inequalities and amplify grassroots voices in collaborative efforts with mainstream services. The network meets every six weeks to tackle issues like mental and physical health, knife crime, gender-based violence, and substance abuse.
Grassroots Community Networks (GCNs) matter because they put local people at the center of change, leading to more effective, inclusive, and lasting solutions, especially in health, education, and social justice.
Theme: What are the needs of the community? Answers from Mentimeter from the participants
More: Training on community buildings.
How to identify and support those suffering from mental Health
Parenting teenagers
Addiction teenagers
Seniors such as singing and dancing
Co-parenting effectively
Health Crisis discussions
The most urgent needs of the community, including those expressed by the audience, centre on funding and mental health support. At Utulivu, we strive to reduce loneliness, break stigmas, develop skills, improve mental health, raise awareness, and build resilience. We also collaborate with other organisations to combat domestic abuse and provide support to victims.
A team from NHS IPASS discussed IPASS (Integrated Pain and Spinal Service), which was established in 2015. It is a multidisciplinary, community-based healthcare service designed to support people with persistent musculoskeletal pain, particularly spinal pain. It brings together various specialists to provide a holistic, integrated approach to pain management. Statistically, up to 40% of patients have chronic pain. If physiotherapy does not work, they get an IPASS referral for chronic pain management. With chronic pain, you can get very severe fatigue. IPASS works to manage this fatigue. They support people’s well-being by helping them to manage their pain and understand it. Treating chronic pain, and managing biopsychosocial health. Pain lasting more than 6 months is referred to IPASS for follow-up.
Dr Karangi discussed faith and mentioned that individuals should utilise their faith for healing. He stated, “My Faith is key to my recovery”.George, ACRE: Talked about the community safe space at the hub, encouraging mutual connections and togetherness.
The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our ever-changing environment and needs.
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