East Suffolk Council
East Suffolk Community Partnership Annual Forum 2024
‘Bringing Ideas to Life’
Each year the Community Partnerships host a popular conference for representatives from our communities, voluntary organisations, public services and local businesses. This popular event gives us all the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise and work together to benefit our communities and businesses in East Suffolk. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘East Suffolk: Bringing Ideas to Life’, and we focussed on confronting the growing inequalities amongst our residents. We explored some of the critical issues affecting our lives to identify how we can respond to them in a timely way within our communities, businesses and organisations.
Almost 200 delegates attended, drawn from local communities and business, voluntary organisations, public services, the private sector, local authorities, town and parish councils, faith groups, housing and healthcare professionals, Police and many others.
Caroline Topping, Community Partnership Board Chair delivered an Introduction to the day and update on progress of the Community Partnerships.
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Caroline then joined two of her fellow Community Partnership Board members, Melanie Craig from the Suffolk Community Foundation and Roger Wright from Britten Pears Arts, in a panel discussion to gain their perspectives on what inequalities in east Suffolk looks like and what more can be done to address it. The discussion was facilitated by Chris Bally, Chief Executive of East Suffolk Council
A wide range of issues were then explored by delegates in a series of workshops and seminars including:
- Our Authentic Selves
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt!!! (we’re not scared, anxious or isolated today)
- Tackling Inequalities in Our “Transport Deserts” Through Community Led Transport
- Environmental Inequalities - valuing nature in the public realm
- Tackling Inequalities – how do we reach out earlier and further to those who need support?
- Population Health Management - what is it and how can we use it to support our communities?
- Young People’s Mental Health – the challenges and the opportunities
- Reducing Isolation and Improving Mental Wellbeing Through Community Leisure and Sport
- Active Travel – shifting the debate
- Perspectives on Poverty
- Untapped Potential? Partnering with Faith Organisations for the Benefit of Our Communities
- The Future of Tech in Rural Healthcare
This important event gave us all the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise and work together to benefit our communities and businesses in East Suffolk.