Improving Community Health through Effective Engagement (ICHEE)
Funded by the Big Lottery, ICHEE is an innovative three-year project working in the Health Board areas of Tayside, Lothian, and Lanarkshire. The main goal of ICHEE is to improve health and social care provision for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Scotland, so that it is more culturally competent and relevant to their needs. This will be one of the means to facilitate reducing health inequalities in Scotland. In addition, ICHEE will build strong and long lasting links between BME communities, health boards, local government as well as mainstream health and social care providers. These outcomes will be achieved through three different, though connected, initiatives:
- BME Integration and Participation Forums (IPF) that will empower BME community members to shape health & social care provision together with NHS & Social Care management and policy planners.
- Public Participation Training (PPT) to equip BME individuals with the skills needed to raise their voice effectively in order to influence health policy;
- Equality and Cultural Diversity Training to staff of voluntary/community organisations within the three Health Boards to facilitate them to keep abreast of equality & diversity tools and legislations.
In developing and delivering ICHEE, REACH intends to work alongside relevant organisations within each Health Board. This includes those individuals and organisations working with and within BME communities, and also individuals and organisations working in health and community development. REACH is excited about making a real difference to community health and wellbeing in Tayside, Lothian and Lanarkshire, and looks forward to working with local communities and organisations in these health boards.
News and Updates
Culturally Sensitive Services
In response to the major health inequalities faced by BME communities living in Glasgow, REACH provides a broad based, integrated health service programme. In partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Primary Care Division, we have developed a Community Health Clinic that offers preventative health promotion information and comprehensive clinical advice to individuals from the BME community. Moreover, REACH’s service delivery is sensitive to issues of ethnicity, race, and religion/faith.
Policy and Research Unit
REACH believes that health planning and legislation should be based on the best available research and evidence. To this end, REACH engages in its own research and policy work in order to influence change with regards to BME Health. In addition to producing community led studies into BME health needs and barriers, REACH
Training and Development Unit
As a central part of our social entrepreneurial strategy, REACH's Training and Development Unit attempts to bridge the gap between BME communities and health service providers. REACH is committed to developing and delivering training solutions to improve health and social care service provision for BME communities in Scotland. Training is available to organisations working for and with BME communities in Scotland within the mainstream, voluntary and private sectors.