Health Inequalities Communities of Practice

The Health Inequalities Communities of Practice are bringing together those who work and volunteer with people experiencing health inequalities, from inclusion health groups and/or with protected characteristics in areas of deprivation in towns in Buckinghamshire (e.g., Aylesbury, High Wycombe)

For example – the average life expectancy for a healthy male in the most deprived areas of Buckinghamshire is 63 years old and for a female, it’s 64 years old. Compare this to the least deprived areas where the life expectancy of a male is 70 years old and for a female it’s 72.

What is a Community of Practice and how can it help address health inequalities?
A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern (e.g. health inequality), a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfil both individual and group goals.
Each CoP will give the attendees the opportunity to learn, share knowledge and experience, and deepen understanding of these complex issues, anchored in day-to-day work.

The CoPs will help to build networks in towns in Buckinghamshire; each facilitated meeting will explore a theme or topic, bringing together those working and volunteering in communities to share lived experience and knowledge.
Topics for past sessions have included:
Multi-Faith Perspectives of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Exploring Health Inequalities
Support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Trauma-informed approaches to providing support
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
Alcohol and Substance Use and Addiction
Understanding intersectionalities with faiths and cultures
Domestic Abuse
Active Lifestyles - 'The Miracle Cure'

Suggestions from CoP participants for topics are welcomed and encouraged.
Who should attend?
Who should attend?
Anyone working on the ‘frontline’ in primary care, mental health services, local authority, and the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise sector (VCSE), with a common interest in supporting people experiencing health inequalities.

This could include:

Advice workers
Advocacy providers
Foodbank volunteers
Social support workers
Staff and volunteers in faith-based or community organisations
Outreach workers
Homelessness support
Substance misuse support
Refugees and asylum seeker support
Social workers
Community nurses
Community pharmacists
Social prescribers
Health and wellbeing coaches
Care navigators
Mental health practitioners
Probation support

This list is not exhaustive.

This is not a forum for managers or CEOs, but a space encouraging open discussion between those working directly with communities. Individuals will learn from each other, share knowledge, ask questions and explore solutions that will benefit local people.

If you would like to know more about the Health Inequalities Communities of Practice or would like to be added to the mailing list for its upcoming events, please email HealthInequalitiesCoP@communityimpactbucks.org.uk

The Communities of Practice are, organised by Community Impact Bucks and Buckinghamshire Health & Social Care Academy. This new initiative is supported by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB)’s Prevention and Health Inequalities funding.

Check out the information also on Community Impact Bucks' website here.

On Wednesday 25th February there is a joint strategic Community of Practice session that will focus Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) and collaborative partnerships.

INT working brings together the NHS (GPs, community health), Social Care, Local Authorities (housing, police, fire, education) and Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprises (VCSEs) – to provide holistic, proactive care, focusing on holistic health and wellbeing by integrating services beyond traditional healthcare settings and to foster joined-up, personalised support for residents. INTs are central to improving local outcomes and implementing the NHS 10-year plan for more integrated, community-based care. We encourage you to attend, share your experiences, and help shape the future of care in Buckinghamshire.

The workshop will be led by the Integration Leads from Aylesbury and Wycombe, Nellie Reynolds and Dee Irvin and is for all CoP members to attend (across all locations).

Location - Aylesbury (open to all CoP members across all locations)

Wednesday 25th February 2026

10:30am - 12:30pm

Seminar Room A2.18 & A2.19 (upstairs from the BCW Hub)

Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe

Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2JZ

Register to attend this event here

The next standard Communities of Practice sessions are scheduled for March 2026 and will focus on Childhood Obesity.

Join us for an engaging talk on Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT) and discover how Aylesbury and Wycombe INTs are jointly setting out to help tackle childhood obesity alongside existing initiatives. This session is an excellent opportunity not only to learn about the collaborative work these INTs are planning, but also to understand the vital role that stakeholder involvement plays in shaping effective solutions. Your participation can help foster collaboration on emerging initiatives, leading to improved pathways and better health outcomes for our local children. Don’t miss your chance to get involved and be part of this important conversation—come along and help us make a difference!

These sessions will be led by local Integration Leads Nellie Reynolds (in Aylesbury) and Dee Irvin (in High Wycombe), along with inputs from Public Health at Buckinghamshire Council and BeeZee (Be Healthy Bucks' weight management programme).

High Wycombe

Friday 6th March 2026

10:20am - 12:30pm

Seminar Room N2.01

Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe

Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2JZ

Register to attend this event here

Aylesbury

Thursday 12th March 2026

10:30am - 12:30pm

Buckinghamshire Community Wellbeing (BCW) Hub

Buckinghamshire New University, Aylesbury Campus