Talking Therapies

From 1^st April, Vita Health Group will be the new provider of Talking Therapies (previously called IAPT) across Nottingham city and county. The City PBP Mental Health Programme Group had previously reviewed data which identified issues of both access and completion of talking therapies for people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

At the November meeting a further data pack was presented which showed that non-white British ethnicities were less likely to receive a diagnosis of anxiety and depression. Attendees were keen to understand what Vita, as the new service provider, would be doing to reduce this health inequality and also ensure Vita has the opportunity to utilise work already done through the PBP to engage on this topic.

Colleagues from the City PBP Race Health Inequalities Programme, City PBP Mental Health Programme and Mental Health Collaborative were invited to attend a session with Vita and their delivery partner Insight. Attendees heard powerful presentations from:

Vita and Insight colleagues who shared their delivery model and how they are engaging communities ahead of mobilisation and as part of their on-going commitment to co-production
Kashmeera Gorecha, NCVS Engagement Officer who has been working with South Asian Communities in City for the past 12 months to understand some of the barriers to accessing mental health services
Dr Penny Siebert, Nottingham Trent University who along with Clive Foster undertook a project funded via the Better Mental Health grant funding to engage Black and Ethnic Minority Communities in the co creation and co-production of information material on mental health that was reflective of the community’s’ cultural, social and economic diversity
Clive Foster, Chair of PBP Race Inequality Programme presented the Race Maturity Matrix and how it can be used by Vita and all attendees of the meeting

Over 50 people attended the meeting to listen to the discussions and provide their feedback. Following the presentations, members asked questions and provided thoughts on how to solve some of the challenges raised by the data and as part of the progress the delivery of services to these communities was discussed in detail. A review from attendees was carried out looking at the top three priorities for new Talking Therapy Services was identified. They were:

Ensuring representation within the workforce

Developing meaningful co-production within communities

Services described and promoted in accessible and culturally appropriate ways

A follow up meeting to review progress against the priorities will be held six months after the service is operational.

For further information and access to presentations and recordings from this meeting please contact the city locality team at nnicb-nn.citylocalityteam@nhs.net

Eating and Moving for Good Health

On Monday 6^th February 2023, the Nottingham City Council public health team hosted a workshop to discuss the draft strategy for Eating and Moving for Good Health with partner organisations. More than 50 partners attended from a wide range of organisations across the public and voluntary sectors to give their input into the strategy.

Across Nottingham City there is a general recognition of the importance of eating well and keeping physically active. However, many issues still remain to be addressed with:

1 in 4 children are living with overweight or obesity, rising to 2 in 5 by secondary school

7 in 10 adults are living with overweight or obesity

1 in 4 of adults are inactive (less than 30 mins activity a week)

We know factors such as time, cost, individual choice, and willpower impact on people eating well or doing physical activity. But little is known in Nottingham city about healthy choices being available or accessible to everyone, particularly by those who live in our most disadvantaged communities.

The draft strategy was written in collaboration with others, but the workshop provided an opportunity for a range of partners to come together, view the work so far, and capture discussions to create honest, constructive feedback. A joint vision will be essential to the success of the strategy and improve the ways in which we eat and move. It also provided a valuable opportunity to check and challenge the delivery plan with organisations who work directly with citizens, ensuring the plan adequately addresses the inequalities that exist across our communities.

In addition, the event provided a welcome opportunity for face-to-face networking and the sharing of good practice across the healthy eating and physical activity world, with attendee Jen Nichol saying, “It was a really insightful afternoon and was fantastic to meet so many people from different sectors!”

The collation and analysis of the feedback from the event is in full swing, and there are some insightful themes emerging as this work progresses. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended as your input will be so valuable when it comes to shaping the approach we take over the coming the years to improve the health of our citizens.

If you would like to be added to the Eating and Moving for Good Health mailing list, or have any questions about the strategy, please contact ruth.bell@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.