New Partnership poem to help tackle health inequalities

Posted on: 2 September 2020

 ‘What’s good for all folk’ is a new poem developed with young people by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

The poem highlights, through young people’s voices, that West Yorkshire and Harrogate’s cultural vibrancy is borne from cities, towns, villages with strong diverse communities and even stronger identities.

Working together with communities is what motivates West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership health and care leaders to work together, putting the needs of people first, whilst addressing the health inequalities that exist across the area for various reasons. The healthy life expectancy of people living in some areas across West Yorkshire and Harrogate is below the national average, and the inequalities between communities are significant. The poem reflects the importance of a fairer society and bright future for all – through the eyes of a child.

 

Robin Tuddenham, CEO for Calderdale Council and Co-Chair for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Improving Population Health Programme said

"The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every child, adult, family and community in West Yorkshire and Harrogate with the biggest impact on the most disadvantaged.  It has touched upon every aspect of people’s lives. The creativity, imagination and resilience of our young people is remarkable and moving. The poem reflects this creativity and supports our efforts to communicate this important message."

Merran McRae, CEO at Wakefield Council and Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Children and Young People Programme said:

"It is important that we use various ways to reach out to local people to show that we’re connected to what matters to them. Our future generations haven’t been forgotten in our planning and the delivery of our work, and we hope that involving young people in the creation of ‘What’s good for all folk’ will help bring about the changes that we are trying to make for and with them."

Tim Ryley, Chief Officer for NHS Leeds, and Co-Chair of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, Children and Young People Programme said:

"Current events, such as COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter Movement, have shone a much-needed spotlight on some of the issues that disproportionately affect health outcomes for people from communities, including racism. The poem highlights that the way that you look - the colour of your skin; the way that you speak doesn’t change a thing - a powerful message which means something to us all."

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