This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Report encourages community well-being
06/06/2003
Ideas for promoting and harnessing community well-being are outlined in a new report published today.
The report - Building Community Well-Being: An exploration of themes and issues - was launched at a national conference being held at Stirling University today. The Improving Community Well-being: the Challenge conference was held to generate discussion for community planning partners on action to promote well-being in communities.
A key priority theme of the Executive's £250m Health Improvement Challenge announced in March is community health and promoting active health improvement though new Community Planning Partnerships which bring together the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector at local level. To support this priority area, the Executive's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being in Scotland commissioned a project to explore the capacity within communities to take forward work around mental health and well-being in communities.
The project was undertaken by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (SDC), the Scottish Council Foundation (SCF) and the Office for Public Management (OPM). The project team worked in four very different areas of Scotland: a 'new' town, an inner city area, a remote rural community and a New Community School cluster, gathering information from individuals and community groups.
The project explored with community groups and people working in health and community services what is understood by the term 'well-being' and how the capacity to promote and sustain it for individuals and communities can be developed and increased within communities. The issues which emerged from the project are closely related to themes of social inclusion and community development - building social capital and community capacity, addressing inequalities; improving access to high quality public services; managing life transition points; listening to communities.
Welcoming the report, Director for the National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being in Scotland, Gregor Henderson commented:
"The final report of this important project is most welcome and will be used by the National Programme, in collaboration with Communities Scotland and Executive Departments involved in the Health Improvement Challenge, in considering how work in this priority area might be taken forward.
"This findings from this project are of particular interest and relevance to local authorities and their partner agencies as they take forward the agenda for community planning and the promotion of well-being set out in the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. I hope the report will assist in the development of Community Plans and Joint Health Improvement Plans and the wider community regeneration and social inclusion agendas."
Heather Koronka, Director of Regeneration for Communities Scotland said: "A great deal of work is already underway to address many of the issues which the report identifies, such as action on housing, on debt, on public services, on community involvement and community learning. The Scottish Executive is supporting work to ensure that local people can contribute and play a positive part in planning and making these developments happen.
"Social Inclusions Partnerships (SIPs) play an important role in helping communities develop, whether it is through education, health and employment initiatives, or developing social amenities. We are encouraging communities themselves to become more involved in this process, and in the planning and development of their communities generally.
"Community learning and development practitioners across Scotland play a key role in this process, strengthening social capital by enhancing people's skills. I welcome the valuable contribution they make."
National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being of Scottish Population is a key part of Executive's health improvement and social justice strategies.
Initial work of Programme focuses on promoting positive mental health and well-being, preventing suicide, and undertaking a national campaign to challenge and eliminate stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems. £4 million allocated from Health Improvement Fund for 2001 to 2004; £24 million now allocated over 2003 to 2006 to continue work of National Programme.
All Community Planning Partnerships are required to produce local and strategic community learning and development plans by spring 2004. Communities Scotland has overall responsibility for supporting Community Planning Partnerships in the development of these plans.
The Health Improvement Challenge was launched on 17 March 2003 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2003/03/SEHD357.aspx