The Health and Wellbeing network is one of a number of specialist networks facilitated by Community Action Suffolk for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Suffolk. This network complements our Health and Wellbeing work.

News and information about health issues in Suffolk

Our Health and Wellbeing network supports the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board representatives (see below). Its regular meetings allow you to have direct input to Suffolk’s Suffolk’s Health and Wellbeing Board agenda. We send a bi-monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter to the network providing updates on national, regional and local policies, changes to county services and news about other meetings and forum.

There is a complex web of partnerships and forums in Suffolk. Many oversee services which address health and wellbeing. CAS seeks to draw information from them, to champion voluntary sector representation and open up discussion. We invite voluntary sector members to post important issues for the sector.

How to join the Health and Wellbeing network

• Become a CAS member (membership is free)
• Choose “Health and Wellbeing” from specialist areas

This network is open to all VCSE sector organisations. You will receive email updates when we have relevant news and information to share, including a bi-monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter. The network meets in advance of the bi-monthly Health and Wellbeing Board.

Purpose of the Health and Wellbeing network

• To provide a reference group for the VCSE sector representatives on the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board providing feedback on the Board agenda
• To provide a forum in which to raise issues for VCSE sector organisations around health and wellbeing
• A place in which to engage with key partner agencies who offer services and activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Suffolk residents
• Reports on its actions to the VCSE sector locality networks

Meetings for the Health and Wellbeing network

VCSE sector representation on the Health and Wellbeing Board

Your VCSE sector representatives are elected by VCSE sector representatives sit on the Health and Wellbeing Board for three years.  They are:

• Board Member: Kirsten Alderson, (CEO Suffolk Family Carers)
• Deputy Board Members: Jon Neal (Suffolk Mind) and Tibbs Pinter (Suffolk Young People’s Health Project: 4YP)

What does CAS do to support the representation?

The VCSE sector Health and Wellbeing Network (above) supports the work of the representatives and is a place where you can have direct input to the Health and Wellbeing Board agenda

CAS provides regular updates on the main issues that the Board is considering through the Health and Wellbeing bulletin. It includes information about related consultations and engagement events in the “Have Your Say” section. To receive the bulletin and other Health and Wellbeing information, simply become a CAS member (free) and check the Health and Wellbeing updates box.

Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board

Set up as a committee of Suffolk County Council in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board has a duty to encourage integrated working between health, care, police, and other public services to improve the wellbeing of Suffolk residents.

The Board has 23 members including members and officers from the County Council, Suffolk’s three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS England, HealthWatch Suffolk, the police, the police and crime commissioner, district and borough councils and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector.

Strategic priorities

The work of the Board is guided by the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2019 The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2019.

The Strategy has 4 Outcomes:

• Outcome one: Every child in Suffolk has the best start in life
• Outcome two: Improving independent life for people with physical and learning disabilities
• Outcome three: Older people in Suffolk have a good quality of life
• Outcome four: People in Suffolk have the opportunity to improve their mental health and wellbeing

With four crosscutting and connecting themes:

• Stronger/Resilient Communities
• Embedding Prevention
• Addressing Inequalities
• Health and Care Integration

Meetings and papers for the Health and Wellbeing Board

Health and Wellbeing Network contact

Pete Richardson, Chief Executive
pete.richardson@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk