Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) is a course that helps people understand what affects their health & the health of their communities. HIIC supports people to develop the skills & knowledge to address health issues using community development approaches & bring about change.
Through a small grant from Edinburgh PACT’s Capacity to Collaborate fund we (Edinburgh Community Food, Inspiring Leith, YMCA and Port of Leith) will be running a HIIC course in Leith early next year – more details coming soon!
Before that we want to give workers, who might not be familiar with the course, the chance to find out more about it and what it might be like for people who want to participate in the full course.
We’ve also got a small amount of funds to support local workers attend the full HIIC training for trainers if these sessions inspire you!
The next 2 sessions will take place from 12 – 1.30 on the 14th and 21st of September at the Hibs Foundation Community Space, North Stand Entrance of Easter Road Stadium.
Edinburgh residents are being asked to write to their councillors and MSPs to stop devastating reductions in vital services.
Sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities will all be affected by a £8.95m budget cut.
“These cuts to services go against the expressed desire of citizens and the Council to tackle poverty in our city”, says Lorna Frost of Edinburgh East Save Our Services. “It’s time to make sure our elected representatives really listen to us.
“We have already emailed our councillors and MSPs and hope others will join us in doing this. An email that people can use or adapt is included below and the email addresses for councillors can be found here:
“The pandemic has shown how much we depend on good health care, good education & good services. Coming at any time these cuts would have a terrible impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our city.
“In the wake of lockdown and with the prospect of a winter second wave of Covid19, the effect will be devastating.
“What’s more, these cuts and any short term savings are false economies. Reducing services which ensure sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities is inefficient economically.
“We know we need each other and care for each other. Our elected representatives must concentrate on ensuring integrated, properly funded services to tackle the hardship and suffering many people face.
“This may mean borrowing and putting pressure on the Scottish government to provide sufficient funding. But in every consultation Edinburgh folk have said that this support is more important than creating a playground for visitors.”
Email below. Change it or send your own. For more information on campaigning go to EESOS Facebook page – all ideas welcome:
Dear …………….
We are alarmed at the current measures to reduce health and social care services in the city. (We refer to the Phase Zero cuts agreed by the EIJB (Edinburgh Integration Joint Board).
The expressed desire of citizens and the Council is to tackle poverty in Edinburgh. This is wanted for humanitarian reasons.
We are also certain that these cuts and any short term savings are false economies. Reducing services which ensure sexual health, support and rehabilitation for substance abuse, support for independent living and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities is inefficient economically.
Austerity policies and the current pandemic have shown up the lack of resilience in our public services.
We call on you as our representatives to take a stand. This may mean borrowing and putting pressure on the Scottish government for sufficient funding.
Please assure us that we can rely on you to commit to integrated, properly funded services to tackle the hardship and suffering many people face.
Regards
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Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership launches consultation on ‘Edinburgh Pact‘
We want to build thriving communities in Edinburgh and embrace the opportunity to create a different type of relationship with residents, communities and organisations across the city.
We are starting a conversation to build the Edinburgh Pact. The Edinburgh Pact will be an agreement between the Partnership and everyone who lives and works in Edinburgh. Our first step is to listen and learn what health and social care means to you.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer, explains why your ideas and comments are so important:
Why are we developing this now?
During the pandemic we have seen people and communities across Edinburgh rally together to support one another, helping and caring for people who might be struggling. We have also seen organisations and charities work together and produce solutions to support communities during this difficult time. We want to build on this.
We know that we face some real challenges for our health and social care system. The population is ageing, demand for services is increasing and our funding is not expected to grow at the same rate as the population. We need to think boldly about what can be different.
