Our Health Engagement Group brings together people from the communities in Trafford living with health conditions to meet with health professionals. These BME people are those who, have recently received, or are currently receiving treatments from the Health services; they can voluntarily devote their time to attend these meetings hence creating dialogue and understanding that can improve frame works. They are well placed to inform health professionals about their experience of the care of the services, and advice on improvements required to address culturally sensitive needs of patients.

Meetings are held regularly to discuss health issues, community engagement in Health activities or creating awareness about Well-being. This Group is an example of proactive work that directly assists the Council and Partners in “responding to the local impact of the global economic downturn”. In addition, the work of VBME-T complements key objectives within the Community Strategy that look to strengthen the voluntary sector, and increase volunteering amongst BME groups.

Our hope is to include more volunteers to engage and to have more opportunities to bring communities, practitioners and key stakeholders to the table for more healthy discussions and make unified progress on key matters of health and for VBMET in particular for the BME communities in Trafford.