About the Network
Oldham Community Health Champions Network brings together community groups and organisations who are passionate about tackling health inequalities in their communities and passionate about community engagement.
Background
The network came about in 2020 during the Covid pandemic when Network members worked closely with Oldham Public Health and Oldham NHS Health and Care Providers to make sure that Oldham residents experiencing the deepest health inequalities were able to access the Covid response and support programmes. Since the pandemic, network members have been focusing more broadly on the inequalities their communities face in relation to their health and wellbeing, including the impact of the cost of living crisis.
Purpose
The Oldham Community Health Champions Network brings together trusted VCFSE organisations across Oldham to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for local communities. Through disseminating accessible and culturally appropriate health information, building awareness of services, and supporting preventative approaches, the Network strengthens community capacity to confidently make choices and participate in decisions about their own health. It also gathers community insight and lived experience to inform system partners, helping to improve service design, address barriers to access and reduce health inequalities across Oldham.
Aims and Objectives
- Support the dissemination of accessible, relevant, and up-to-date health information within communities
- Improve awareness and uptake of health services, including preventative interventions
- Strengthen community understanding of how to access care and navigate health systems
- Provide opportunities for communities to share insight on health needs, barriers, and priorities
- Participate in training and development on key health and wellbeing topics
- Influence health service design and delivery through community feedback loops
- Contribute to reducing health inequalities across Oldham
Membership
Membership of the Network is free and open to organisations working with the following communities in Oldham in the health and wellbeing space:
- South Asian
- Black African
- Roma
- People with Learning Disabilities & Autism
- Young People
- Any other communities experiencing economic disadvantage
You can read more about the network in our Terms of Reference here:
Get in touch
If you'd like to join the network or to find out more about our work, email Stan Beneš, Community Engagement and Insight Officer.