Ten for 10: Reflections on a decade of community-led health at CHEX

As we mark 10 years of SCDC as an independent organisation, Elspeth Gracey shares some of her reflections of 10 years at CHEX - the Community Health Exchange.

In 10yrs CHEX has undergone some big changes. Janet Muir our founding manager retired in 2015 and we welcomed Susan Paxton as Head of Programmes for Community-led Health. Susan continues to build on the sound foundations laid by Janet.

But the even bigger changes could be in the wider policy environment. In a decade there has been a shift in favour of community empowerment, more participative democracy, co-production and participatory budgeting - all mechanisms which in differing ways support improved health outcomes. Yet despite these changes, under the relatively new Scottish Parliament, health inequalities continue to be an issue of national importance. 

The organisations within the CHEX network rise to those challenges despite diminishing resources. They continue to work on behalf of their communities, in endlessly creative and inclusive ways, often working with people considered by others to be ‘hard to reach’.

The perception by some in more stable jobs that these organisations are ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ is debunked by many having served their communities for several decades despite uncertainties of funding throughout.

The Christie Commission, in 2011, provided an opportunity to widen those involved in delivering health services by recognising that health is not the prerogative of NHS professionals alone. Statutory partners in some areas do seem more willing to welcome the contribution that community-led health organisations can make as they themselves have gone through structural changes culminating in Health and Social Care Partnerships. We would of course like to see this recognition widened.

The shift in emphasis within NHS Health Scotland, our major funder, focusing on the causes of inequality in health have provided useful resources. Their video illustrating the role of power in our lives is a good example. 

Health Issues in the Community training continues to go from strength to strength and my colleague Kate McHendry illustrates that in her own reflective article. 

The increasing role of social media has provided challenges for some of us who are less ‘digitally agile’! However local community organisations have fully embraced the opportunities this offers to showcase what they do and to reach wider audiences. Our communications capacity has been increased in keeping with the times and our ebulletin ‘Snippets’ continues to be beloved of many in both statutory and voluntary sectors. 

Our position within SCDC is fundamental to our belief in community development approaches to tackling health inequalities.

Our role at CHEX is to continue to support local organisations, interpreting new policies from Government and influencing policy where we can, highlighting new opportunities for our sector. We’ll continue as ever to provide as many opportunities as possible for constructive exchange of views and information in our networking role.

After all it’s integral to our name here at the Community Health Exchange.