Dudley for everyone

The 2019/20 report which covers the time leading up to the outbreak of the pandemic, maintains local health priorities as its focus. The focus on inclusion turned out to be incredibly timely, with communities showing how they could pull together and show initiative and compassion as they rallied together to play their part in the covid-19 response.

The report was collated with the help of community researchers who ensured an on the ground approach allowing for independent feedback and for the authentic voice of Dudley communities to be heard. The theme was interpreted in a number of ways, inclusion as a form of equality, the belief that everyone is entitled to the same benefits, resources and support and inclusion as a sense of belonging and sense of place.

The report found six key themes that people identified to help them feel included. These were welcoming places, open access activities and places, opportunities to learn, connecting and involving people, information about ‘what’s on’ and having trusted people in the community.

From this a series of nine recommendations were made including increasing engagement and consultation with communities, reducing loneliness and social isolation, empowering local people to develop their own community specific solutions, making people feel welcome in spaces where services are provided and continuing to share good practice across partners and across groups, organisations and wards.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

The annual report is always about the needs of local people and looking at ways we and other service providers can work with communities to deliver the best services we can.

We’ve seen over the last twelve months in particular how community support has been essential in sharing information and delivering services. I am encouraged by the work that has been carried out so far, and I hope that following this report, all partners will make a commitment to strive for the common goal of making Dudley a place for everyone.

The Director of Public Health Annual report is an objective, independent report to inform local people about the health of their community while also providing necessary information for decision-makers for long-term planning. 

To view the report visit the council's health and wellbeing pages