SCDC

Community Health Initiatives

What are they?

Here at CHEX, we are sometimes asked to define a community health initiative (CHI).  Our definition would include all of the specific characteristics listed below, rooted in the CHI's mode of operation:-

  • operating in areas of poverty and deprivation
  • providing services aimed at tackling health inequalities
  • working on priorities identified by members of the community
  • using methods which involve community members
  • applying a value base that promotes personal and collective empowerment, equity, social justce and the right to good health for all people
  • working within a social model of health
  • with governance that involves community members (this may be in partnership with the voluntary, statutory or business sector if appropriate)  

Project Profiles  

CHEX ‘Snapshots’ (November 2009) 

When preparing for our first ever national conference in November 2009, we invited people to send us an ‘Expression of Interest’ to present at the conference.  We were only able to offer three organisations a platform at conference itself and those who we were unable to be showcased on the day were invited to send us a written ‘snapshot’ of their organisation.  This document contains those ‘snapshots’, plus those presenting at the conference.  Click here to view the 'Snapshot' document which includes profiles of the following organisations:

  • Health Spot - South East Glasgow    
  • Men in Mind & Information Resource Services - Edinburgh and the Lothians                                             
  • Stepwell Consultancy Ltd - Inverclyde      
  • Your Call (Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living) - Scotland-wide
  • Safe Space - Dunfermline, Fife
  • National Single Gene Complex Needs Project - Scotland-wide
  • Glasgow Council on Alcohol - Greater Glasgow
  • ASH Scotland - Scotland-wide
  • Paths for All Partnership - Scotland-wide
  • Deaf Action - Lothian
  • Epilepsy Connections - Greater Glasgow and Forth Valley
Lewis and Harris Breast Cancer Support Group (8 August 2008)

The Lewis and Harris Breast Cancer Support Group is organised by local women with experience of breast cancer and the information, advice and support they offer to others is highly valued. They are also seen as a valuable resource by service providers and researchers with whom they share their experiences to ensure that improvements are always being made to the patients’ cancer journey.  To read more, click here.

Camglen Radio (25 July 2008)

Cambuslang and Rutherglen Community Health Initiative have taken a generic community development approach to running a community radio station, initially supporting local people to become involved in response to local interest and now providing support to the now constituted committee of local people who are successfully applying for some of their own funds to continue this work.  To read more, click here. 

Eoropie Dunes Park, Ness, Isle of Lewis (11 July 2008)

Eoropie Dunes Park is a unique Healthy Living Centre being a play and leisure facility, situated in Ness in the North of the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. This community-led project provides the opportunity for young people to benefit from increased physical activity, therefore improving health and fitness. Gail Cunningham tells us how the project was conceived and how the group worked hard to involve the community, particularly young people, liaise with statutory and voluntary organisations and other local groups. To read more, click here.

Dundee Healthy Living Initiative (20 June 2008)

Dundee Healthy Living Initiative (DHLI) has grown from a small community health project established in 1998 to a large multi-agency, partnership funded project launched in March 2003 when the organisation was awarded 4 years Lottery Funding to become a Healthy Living Initiative. Sheila McMahon, DHLI’s Team Leader, tells us how the organisation continues to secure sustainability for the future with current funding in place until 2010 and initial discussions already taking place about what might happen beyond that.  To read, click here. 

CHANGES Community Health Project, Musselburgh (23 May 2008)

CHANGES who approached their AGM last year with some trepidation about what appeared to be an uncertain future are now looking forward to this year’s AGM with renewed optimism. They have secured an array of funding bids and continued support from partnership organisations to sustain their excellent work in supporting improved mental health for people in East Lothian. To read the full information about how things are for them now, please click here.

'Health Spot', Castlemilk, Glasgow (23 May 2008)

‘Health Spot’ is celebrating 10 years of work with young people in Castlemilk, Glasgow. Initiated in 1998 by a local woman and young people in Castlemilk, the project now offers an impressive array of services. They work collaboratively with the city’s statutory partner agencies in providing co-ordinated and complimentary services. Health Spot has much to celebrate and the information sent to us flags up the first event in the 10th anniversary celebratory year.  To read more, please click here.

 

(last updated on 27 April 2010)