Words from Marmot Partners
Dr Sarah Raistrick, Marmot Partnership Co-Chair and ICB Marmot Champion
'Being co-chair of the Marmot Partnership and ICB Marmot champion affords me the privilege of promoting proportionate universalism and social determinants of health and reflecting them into the local NHS at delivery and decision levels. At times it feels as easy as breathing, “it is who we are”. When more challenged, knowing we are working as a tapestry of partners gives us confidence and the platform to challenge and lobby.
In my day-to-day practice, I am impacted by being part of the local community and the fabric of the Marmot Partnership. With awareness of and involvement in the Carers Trust work in Primary Care, Healthy Communities Together in Willenhall, the local Job Shop, and the Family Hub to name a few, I can deliver best practice from a medical lens but then widen my horizons and see long-lasting improvements in outcomes that I could not do alone as a GP.
I went to a reflection workshop on infrastructure, transport, and sustainability. The workshop brought home the partnership and the importance of looking outside our own sector to see what we can do as a collective, an inhaler or tablet may be of use as are sustainable transport links and warmer housing. When we combine efforts and data and can work with an empowered community, we can reach those most in need and target resources where they will have the most impact.'
Words from Marmot Partners
‘Central England Law Centre champions working together across organisational boundaries to achieve change for Coventry residents. In the Marmot Partnership equal voice is given to every partner around their specialisms. This unique environment ensures that real issues, including insight from the frontline, are used to decide how best to collaborate. We use the space to work with partners on how action on legal rights contributes to mitigating health inequalities and give a voice to those in the city facing the greatest inequalities who need access to justice to be and stay well’. Elayne Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Central England Law Centre.
‘The Marmot Partnership offers valuable opportunities for shared learning and understanding around the impact of policies and practice on those most in need. By working together, we can help to limit any negative impacts and promote activities that improve opportunities and outcomes for people in our diverse communities.’ Alan Markey, Chief Executive Officer, Coventry Independent Advice Service
‘Having been involved in the Marmot Partnership since its inception we continue to value the opportunity to connect with others operating in Coventry that want to affect change and challenge the issues impacting on people in the city’. Sue Ogle, Chief Executive Officer, Voluntary Action Coventry
'Grapevine has been involved with Marmot work from its inception. We want to get at the root causes of the city’s most difficult problems – not just treat the symptoms. So, we value the chance to work with others to understand issues together, shift power, and try to solve the real problem – for good’. Clare Wightman, Chief Executive Officer, Grapevine
'Being a Marmot Partner is very important to FWT - a centre for women. The work we deliver across Coventry is aligned with the Marmot Principles, as we offer barrier-breaking social, health, and economic projects to tackle women’s inequalities, including health, employment, well-being, and referrals across specialist organisations. Marmot Partnership group membership has strengthened our strategic ‘reach’ and enables us to raise the voices of women’s inequality across sectors. We also feed into the Poverty Working Group, to further extend reach, build partner relationships, and strengthen referral relationships'. Christine McNaught, Chief Executive Officer, FWT - a centre for women
‘Building on our enduring strategic partnership arrangements, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Midlands continues to work with Coventry City Council (CCC) to provide regional support to their excellent Marmot city programme. This includes policy advice, advocacy, expertise, knowledge, evidence, intelligence, and constructive challenge. We also share their good practice through our various networks and stakeholders.’ Karen Saunders, Consultant in Health and Wellbeing, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care
'Having personally worked on the Marmot agenda for many years, I can clearly see how the Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) offers an additional strength to the identified priorities of the Marmot Partnership. Our HDRC decisions about what to focus on are determined by the people of Coventry, the research funding opportunities available, the readiness of the council directorates to be involved, the expertise and interests of our key collaborating universities, and of course the Marmot Principles. Most if not all the HDRC research priorities will sit comfortably within these Principles and align with the priorities of the Partnership. I look forward to our connections strengthening as the HDRC grows its capability and capacity through the development of an effective research infrastructure.' Sue Frossell, Director of Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration and Consultant in Public Health, Coventry City Council
‘Having a good quality job is one of the main ways for people to escape the poverty trap and secure a decent future. Coventry City Council Skills Employment and Adult Education Service (SEAES) has successfully provided employment, money advice, and skills support for Coventry residents for over 10 years. This includes people who are vulnerable and have multiple barriers to employment. The Marmot Partnership offers a wider network to assist Coventry City Council to ensure we can deliver equality of opportunity to all Coventry residents by achieving improvements in educational attainment and the ability of residents to achieve and retain good quality jobs.’ Kim Mawby, Head of Skills, Employment and Adult Education Service
‘Being part of the Marmot Partnership is really important for us in Early Help Children’s Services. It helps ensure that we design and deliver all our work with the needs of our Coventry residents at the heart of everything we do. It provides us with an important network of partners to work with to tackle some of the most challenging issues affecting our families and help improve the outcomes of all whilst also narrowing the gap for those living in poverty and experiencing other inequalities.’ Jane Moffat, Early Help Operational Lead, Coventry City Council