Healthy relationships within the community integral to integrated success

"The role of integration in creating and then safeguarding authentic relationships within the community is of fundamental importance."

Health and social care integration is about improving care and support for people who use services, their carers and their families. In line with this, when put together, the two key principles championed by the organisations spotlighted within the Connected Communities series this quarter, namely the fostering of authentic relationships and community involvement, are integral to its success moving forward.

The Maud Village Trust, in partnership with NHS Grampian, run the ‘Just Ask Maud’ project, which encourages the forging of relationships within the local community in order to combat the cost of living crisis. By creating a ‘conversation cafe’ and encouraging others within the community to offer financial support to those who are struggling, the Maud Village Trust have ensured that the community are not only supported through the cost of living crisis, but have a place to forge those authentic relationships whilst feeling part of their community.

Similarly, Bikes for Refugees empower New Scots and ensure they have the ability to create connections by providing them with bicycles. This enables New Scots to forge key connections within their new communities, attend important meetings, and maintain their health and wellbeing, ensuring that they can integrate more easily into society by making those key relationships.

In serving “more than just a meal”, Inverness Foodstuff are also exemplary in putting community relationships at the centre of their work. As an organisation who support the homeless and vulnerable, tackle social isolation, and challenge food poverty, the charity provide over 1100 lunches a month to around 500 people, whilst working with local organisations to ensure the most vulnerable can make strong and authentic connections with local businesses and services.

Forres Friends of Woods and Fields also ensure authentic relationships can be forged in their community gardens by bringing people together for both educational and recreational purposes. By providing a space for the local community to learn how to grow their own food and live healthier lives, the organisation are playing a vital role in bringing the community together to create those relationships in an innovative and proactive way.

As well as this, the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society are at the forefront of ensuring that the Shia Muslim community in Scotland are empowered to make important relationships throughout society whilst being involved with the community. By working to ensure that Scottish policy is representative of everyone who lives here, SABS have utilised the key themes of integration to work across sectors, forge strong relationships, and champion diversity and inclusion within Scotland’s communities.

With the Maud Village Trust supporting people through the cost of living crisis, Bikes for Refugees enabling New Scots to make key connections, Inverness Foodstuff ensuring the most vulnerable have access to basic needs, Forres Friends of Woods and Fields providing a vital space for the community to come together, and SABS standing up for diversity and inclusion within society, it is clear that the role of integration in creating and then safeguarding authentic relationships within the community is of fundamental importance. In line with this, it is clear that the key themes of integration are vital in creating a Scotland where everyone feels empowered to make key relationships within the community and enjoy their right to live well with dignity and respect.