A team of six advisors have been actively engaging with members of the community using their lived experience, skills and knowledge to help gain a better understanding of the challenges local people face, especially those in more disadvantaged communities.

The role of the advisors, hosted by Walsall 4 All and supported by NHS Charities through Walsall Together, is to bridge the gap between statutory organisations and the communities they serve by providing guidance, support and insight and making sure the citizen voice is heard and included in decision making locally.

The team, all from different backgrounds and cultures, and speaking several languages between them, not only engage with local communities to tackle health inequalities but also support with miss-information and community cohesion as well as undertaking research to find new an innovative ways to tackle emerging issues.

Renu Begum, one of the advisors, has been part of Walsall’s multi-cultural community for over 30 years, with a strong connection to the Asian community. She see’s herself very much as a community person and feels this role gives her the opportunity not only to learn and grow herself but also use her knowledge to help others.

“If there is a local event you will usually see me there and this helps me keep in touch with what is happening in the community. When English is a second language it’s a huge barrier to people so being able to speak Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi really helps me connect, support and signpost which is really needed when it comes to health concerns, medical procedures and understanding how to access services.”

Some of the projects they are working on include researching and developing community profiles across all four localities looking into the customs, trends and positive examples as well as mental health projects, social justice and MMR and measles campaigns supporting to understand hesitancy and dispel myths in communities where uptake is low.

Rayna Lountzis, who has been working with local communities for the last 14 years, said: “I truly believe that together we can change the narrative and enable the community to become empowered, not only for the benefit of oneself, but for the benefit of others and society. If we can live in a more harmonious society, we can reduce inequalities.”

To find out more about the community advisors and their role watch this video.