Region
- North
- North West and West
- South
“There is a strong appetite for bringing groups together throughout the state and having collective voices heard, networking and opportunities for action.”
For us at HCT, there is nothing quite like bringing together people who are just as passionate as we are about consumer voice in health. There is so much energy and enthusiasm, even days after an event. I think a lot of this is the joy that comes with facilitating rich conversations and in hearing the innovative ideas and diverse perspectives. Meaningful engagement is at the heart and soul of HCT.
“With dedication, focus and a clarity of ethos we can create an independent island of health and wellbeing for all.”
This positive energy also stems from the sense of collective momentum to create change together that goes hand in hand with collaborating in this way. We saw this firsthand at our recent gathering of consumers / community members involved in place-based health groups in Campbell Town. Consumers representing six different community-led health groups met to workshop key areas of work and how they would like to move forward in working together. Those groups included the Huon Valley Voice for Health, Bicheno Community Health Group, Tasman Voice for Health, Health Action Team Central Highlands, Better Health 4 Dorset, and Central Coast Voice for Health.
“There are plenty of people to seek advice and support from, and my group is not alone in its struggle.”
Key topics for these regions were workshopped, with ideas shared about local area learnings and the opportunities and solutions that other regions may leverage to improve outcomes for their local communities.
These topics included:
- Mental health.
- Information sharing and health service navigation.
- Improving regional service access.
- Primary prevention, including food security and getting active.
- Transport.
This was also an important opportunity to discuss how groups could influence change on a systemic level in health and how collaboration is key in creating the change that is required to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Tasmanians. The reflections regarding that strength in working together were powerful in both creating change locally, and in the long-term sustainability of consumers and community leading that change.
“There is no ‘correct’ way to do the work we are doing and there is so many opportunities if we can shift our thinking from looking at what is going wrong to what could be gained.”
“We are stronger as combined groups rather than as individual ones and can learn from each other.”
There are many opportunities that have been identified to continue to support this work into the future and we look forward to working through them.
Thank you to all those that made the day possible through both in the organising and your participation. There is such immense leadership and capacity in local communities across the state and it is a privilege to work with you.
Ellen MacDonald
Acting CEO
How can you get involved?
If you are involved in a community-led health group in your local area, are a service provider that would like to engage with a group or are just interested in this work, please get in touch and we would be happy help.