Edinburgh’s Community Link Worker Network has been recognised for the work they do to tackle health inequalities in this year’s Scottish Health Awards.
The Network has been chosen as one of three finalists for the 2023 Tackling Health Inequalities award, highlighting the impact of the 24 community link workers (CLWs) who are helping improve the lives of people in some of the most deprived areas in the city.
Alison Leitch, Assistant Service Manager for the Network said: “We are delighted that the work of Edinburgh’s Community Link Worker Network has been recognised by this nomination for the Tackling Health Inequalities Award.
“Over the past five years the Community Link Workers havw shown their adaptability and commitment through the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
“They have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people in the most need, building relationships and trust to focus on what matters to an individual, not what is the matter with them. As they concentrate on the activities that make the most difference to people and communities, both now and looking to the future, they continue to change lives for the better.”
The Network’s recently published annual review for 2022/23 illustrates the increasing impact that they are having in communities across the city and the real difference they are making for people facing a range of health inequalities.
Since 2018, Edinburgh’s CLWs have:
- Received 19,220 referrals
- Carried out 44,920 engagements
- Made 29,425 links to community groups
Last year alone, they also successfully applied for nearly £100,000 of crisis grants on behalf of patients, helping them pay for necessities such as bills, clothes, furniture, equipment and so much more.
Ian Brooke, Deputy Chief Executive of EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council) said: ‘I am so excited that Edinburgh’s Community Link Worker Network, which is funded by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, is one of the finalists for this award.
“It’s a real testament to the Edinburgh model of community link working, where all staff are employed by local voluntary organisations and therefore truly embedded in communities across the city. The 24 CLWs are delivering real, tangible action to reduce health inequalities for people in the city.”
The 24 CLWs cover 45 GP practices in Edinburgh and are employed by ten different voluntary sector organisations – Carr Gomm, Caring In Craigmillar, Community Renewal, Cyrenians, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, Health All Round, Pilton Community Health Project, Penumbra, Space & Broomhouse Hub, The Health Agency.
The 2023 Scottish Health Awards will take place at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh on Thursday 2nd November.