Applications open for external advisory board
Launched in May 2020, BLACHIR was established to provide much needed research into health inequalities faced by Black African and Caribbean communities. Through sharing knowledge and lived experiences between academics and members of Birmingham and Lewisham communities, the review will inform the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board and influence both Councils, NHS, academic and community and voluntary sector partners to make sustainable changes that start to address decades of inequalities.
The external advisory board will work alongside key thinkers on BAME health inequalities from an academic board with the purpose to bring together a diverse range of views to a regular series of discussions.
Successful applicants will be given the opportunity for seldom-heard voices to be brought into what will be an important evidence-led research project with bold aims.
BLACHIR will use this expertise for the review which will cover an 18-month period. Board members will participate in a six weekly cycle of online discussions on a range of issues until end 2021. Themes will include racism and discrimination as a factor in health inequalities, mental health and wellbeing and acute disease and death which will tackle issues such as hospital admissions.
It is expected board members will attend all meetings (up to nine 2-3 hour meetings over 18 months) and specialist areas of interest may be considered alongside representation of specific communities.
Dr Catherine Mbema, Director of Public Health at Lewisham Council (pictured right), said: “We know that there are significant health inequalities in Black African and Caribbean communities and so this is really exciting opportunity for Lewisham to be part of a national conversation on tackling them. We are looking for members of the community with lived experience to come forward and take part in this important research and use their voice to inform the work of the partnership.”
,Applications close on 9 August 2020. Find out more about the BLACHIR external advisory board.