Introducing the Exeter Community Health and Wellbeing Alliance
Our Community Mental Health Development Leads for Eastern Devon were recently involved in launching the beginning of Exeter Community Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The alliance is the beginning of bringing organisations involved in the health, wellbeing, and social care sector within Exeter to connect with other similar organisations, support one another, learn from each other, and discover new ways to work better together for a healthier city of Exeter.
22 different organisations attended our launch event in the Grecian Community Room at Exeter City Football Club on 18th June 2024 to begin to explore how we might work better together.
The event started off with introductions and a recorded video by CoLab’s CEO, Fiona Carden about the importance of relationship centred practice and inspiring us to put relationships back at the centre of what we do and how we do it here in Exeter.
Dr Vik Mohan then gave our keynote address challenging us to improve the way we look after the staff that provide support. Vik shared about the innovations he has brought to the wellbeing support provided to GPs here in Devon, and what he has learned about the conditions we all need to do compassion-focussed work sustainably. He then led us through a workshop exploring and sharing what good practice could and has looked like in our own organisations.
After a break for amazing cakes from Greendale Farm Shop, we took some time to think about how we could use this alliance to improve relationships across the sector, support each other better, and learn from what we are all doing.
If you are involved in the health, wellbeing, or social care sector in Exeter and would like to receive a summary of the event’s conversations as well as be invited to future meetings, please do get in touch with our Eastern Devon Community Mental Health Development Leads, Matt and Tascha via matt.merriam@colabexeter.org.uk
“Health and Wellbeing matters to us all, both in our work and as members of the communities we live and work in. There are many impactful projects, initiatives, dedicated organisations working to focus attention on and improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in Exeter. In our work at CoLab and the cross sector multiple agencies we work with, directly and indirectly, people have often noted that it would be helpful to have a space to share, listen, learn, build relationships and explore ideas. The sense is that this may enhance opportunities for collaboration and the aspiration to be part of a city in which everyone is able to ‘lead lives they have reason to value’ (Sir Michael Marmot) and all voices are heard and people flourish. It has always been our approach at CoLab to work to create the conditions for change and we hope that this will be an opportunity to create a space for sharing, courageous conversations and solidarity – and who knows where it will lead us.”
Fiona Carden, CEO CoLab
A big thank you to CoLab and Exeter City Community Trust for helping to make this event happen.
