Our aim through this event is to inform, inspire and add value.

We want to provide delegates with an opportunity to learn, network and share experiences. The presenters and audience are inspirational people who are at the sharp end of community health provision. The Foundation has been proud to support their work.

These people come from all walks of life - local and national charities, community organisations, the NHS and local authorities – all with a story to tell.

In conjunction with LTCAS and as part of a week of associated activities, this year’s event will be focusing improving the health of people living in local communities by better understanding self management and how we can all work to help and empower people to better manage their own health.

Our key note speech will be from Dr Aileen Keel, deputy chief medical officer.

Dr Keel will give a brief ‘state of the nation’ highlighting current priorities in terms of seeking to improve health in Scottish communities and targeting inequalities together with an overview of the Government’s current areas of focus in terms of promoting and embedding self-management across the NHS and supporting sectors. She will touch on what is viewed as gold standard in terms of a person-centred approach in which the individual is empowered and has ownership over the management of their life and conditions and what is being put in place to facilitate this throughout the NHS.

The event will also showcase groups we have supported who are thought leaders in this field and have demonstrated effective and successful partnership approaches in their project working. This delivers improved health outcomes and also efficiencies. Through these presentations, delegates will gain a better understanding of what they need to do in their own setting to facilitate collaboration particularly in areas where local inequalities are pronounced.

We will also be focusing on this in the context how third sector and the NHS can work together better to help patients self manage their conditions more effectively and drive efficiencies.

And to help us better understand what constitutes joint working and how to promote collaborative behaviour, Miles Hanson from the Collaboration Company will be running an interactive, hands-on workshop. Miles is recognised as an expert on collaboration and has a wealth of experience in helping organisations and teams in developing collaborative leadership skills and helping people to understand how they can facilitate better partnership in their day to day working environments. This is a great opportunity to learn from an expert and pick up some top tips and recommendations which can be used to help facilitate better relationships across sectors and within communities.

And for something a little outside of the norm Universal Comedy will join us to show how laughter and comedy can be really effective in helping people with mental health issues. It is a bit of fun but with a very serious message about managing mental health using innovative methods and empowering people to help themselves in ways which complements the traditional clinician/patient setting.

We hope you are able to join us for what promises to be an inspirational, informative and fun day.