http://www.facebook.com/pages/Norwood-Resource-Center/116157115085577 |
Connecting Communities and Reducing Health Inequalities; A Stoke-on-Trent, UK and Birmingham, Alabama Learning Exchange
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been fortunate to be involved in a learning exchange between the UK and the US. The purpose is to contribute to learning and knowledge about reducing health inequalities through tackling the root causes of poor health, such as, employment, housing, education and the environment. This approach prioritises working with communities to harness their capacity for health improvement.
This exchange is part of a wider programme and is supported by the Department of Health, England, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, the International Union for Health Promotion Education and Health Action Partnership International.
Monday 14th November - Norwood
Monday 14th November - West End
This garden has only been established for one-year and the community were experimenting with the possibility of growing fresh produce on waste land. Community members were advised that nothing would grow in the area due to poor soil quality and being on the site of a demolished house. However, they were not deterred and the garden has surpassed all expectations and they are now looking to expand. The community are fully responsible for the maintenance of the garden and there is very much a sense of ownership, respect and pride.
Monday 14th November - Dunbar Abrams, Bessemer
Our first local coalition was located in Bessemer and was called Dunbar Abrams.
Miss Pippins - member of the Bessemer Building Healthy Communities Committee |
The centre houses a cervical and breast cancer resource library and also holds regular health talking circles and screening programmes.
Monday 14th November - Lunch
Monday 14th November - am
(http://www.uabmhrc.com/) |
We were warmly welcomed by Dr Mona Fouad, Dr Theresa Wynn, Maria Norena, Amber Anderson and Joanice Thompson and introduced to a number of leaders of REACH US community-based programmes.
When Academia, Politics and Public Health Met
We met up at Manchester Airport on the morning of the12th November excited about the 10 days ahead. This was the first time that we had met as a team, but any apprehension was soon gone as we got to know other quickly and seamlessly. Early on we adopted different roles and responsibilities that have successfully seen us through as a team to date. As the theme of our time in Alabama has centred around building coalitions it has been fascinating to reflect on how we have built our own coalition throughout this time!
Arriving in our hotel in Atlanta late Saturday evening, we had an overnight stay before meeting colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Graydon Yatabe and Kenitra Robinson. In addition to his many talents Graydon acted as our very own chauffeur as we travelled the 2 hours south-west to Birmingham, Alabama.