CTM Partners in Action: Building Healthier Communities Together
Over 20 community partners from across the public and third sector in Cwm Taf Morgannwg are working together to look at where new partnerships can be formed to better meet people’s health and wellbeing needs; from cost of living and housing support to bereavement and routes into employment .
The ‘community of practice’ came together during March 2022 following the launch of CTM2030: Our Heath, Our Future and the ease of COVID restrictions.
The group is shaping people’s access to care and support services; looking at how organisations and strategic partners can join up with local community programmes, get involved with networks and groups and work together to make the most use of community spaces to help people to live happy and healthy lives.
Linda Prosser, Executive Director for Strategy and Transformation, CTM UHB said:
“It’s fantastic to be working with such a range of professionals and community leaders. We are working creatively, across sectors and geographical boundaries to give people the best chance of feeling healthier and happier in their everyday lives. We already know from community feedback that some of our partnerships are already changing lives. It’s an exciting time for regional partnership working in CTM!
“We are continually forming new partnerships to create better health care and wellbeing support for the people of CTM. Our last session involved a new partnership with Dwr Cymru who provided valuable information on cost of living support options.”
Here’s a few examples of how partnership working is supporting people in CTM:
Bereavement, Loss and Grief
We’ve set up a new programme in partnership with the Lighthouse Project in Tonyrefail to support people affected by trauma through the use of creative arts. For more details email Wendy Evans or Rachel Heycock.
Mental Health Services and Support
We’re developing closer partnerships with people with lived experience of dementia to inform dementia friendly environments. This includes working with Lleisiau Dementia to make improvements to our clinical environments. We are also working with the CTM Regional Partnership Board to look at developing a robust pathway for Memory Assessment.
Women’s Mental Health
Coming soon, we’re going to be holding a women’s focus group in partnership with one of our community programmes to better understand the mental health and wellbeing needs of women across our region; from our youth generation to our older population. Further details coming soon.
We’re also better engaging with children and young people over their mental health needs, as well as hearing the voices of parents and carers to help launch a new Children’s Charter for CTM.
Healthy Weights
We’re working in partnership as a group to address one of our biggest CTM2030 health challenges – healthy weights management. One focus area is how our local environments can support us, or act as a barrier to us making important lifestyle changes.
The group last met on 20th January at Merthyr Tydfil’s Gellideg Foundation. Our next session is planned for the spring (details to follow).
If you’re interested in joining, or would like more information, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at: CTM.OurHealthOurFuture@wales.nhs.uk
Join the conversation on CTM’s social media pages - #BuildingHealthierCommunitiesTogether
01/02/2023