Women’s voices helping shape healthcare recognised at regional awards
Community Voices: Women’s Health partnership named runner-up at Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards
The recognition highlights the impact of a unique collaboration that has brought together charities, health organisations and grassroots community groups to listen to women’s experiences and use those insights to improve local healthcare services.
The award ceremony took place at Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket, where wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan presented the award to Dr Megan Pay on behalf of the partnership.
Putting women’s voices at the heart of change
The partnership brought together Norfolk Community Foundation, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, Suffolk Community Foundation and a wide range of community organisations working directly with women across Norfolk and Waveney. These included: Access Community Trust, Age UK Norfolk, Asperger East Anglia, Daisy Programme, Feathers Futures, The Feed Foundation, Hanseatic Union, Involve Razem CIC, Waveney Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum, Women Like Me, The Zainab Project, and The Magdalene Group
Together, they created safe and trusted spaces where women could speak openly about challenges including domestic abuse, poverty, cultural barriers, autism and menopause.
Turning insight into action
Working Hasler-White Inclusive Facilitation, insights were gathered together and transformed into interactive NHS training designed to help health professionals better understand women’s experiences. The co-produced training is now embedded within the Women’s Health Hub programme, has been developed into a primary care training resource and is expanding into Suffolk.
Feedback has shown an increased understanding of inequalities, improved communication skills and greater confidence in supporting women from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Women involved in the project also reported feeling heard and valued through the process.
“We’re incredibly proud that Community Voices: Women’s Health was recognised as runner-up in this year’s Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards. We’re excited to build on what we’ve achieved together and continue helping shape more responsive healthcare services across Norfolk and Waveney.”
“By combining professional expertise with lived experience, partners have created something with the potential to make a lasting difference to women’s healthcare across our region.”
Looking ahead
While the partnership narrowly missed out on the top award, the recognition shows how we are leading the way in community-led approaches. For Norfolk Community Foundation, the award reflects one of our key strengths: bringing communities and decision-makers together so that local voices are heard and acted upon.
