Involving and Engaging Communities

Black Health Agency has a remit to make lasting positive change both in the diverse communities it works with and in the services and policies targeted at those communities. One way we seek to achieve this is through forums which provide a space and platform for BME groups within Manchester and on a wider basis. The Manchester Race and Health Forum addresses inequity in service provision in central Manchester, through the medium of forums open to members of local diverse communities. BHA up until March 2008 administered and managed 18 Patient and Public Involvement Forums across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. PPI forums gave ordinary people the chance to comment on and influence their local statutory health services. Black Health Agency's strong links with our communities means we can give an opportunity to people who until now have not had a stake in local services.

Manchester, Lancashire and Warrington LINks
LINks will give everyone in the community – from individuals to voluntary groups – the chance to say what they think about local health and social care services and their experiences.

Manchester Race and Health Forum
MRHF aims to address health inequalities in service provision and policy in Manchester, through the mechanism of forums whose membership is representative of the diverse communities in the city