In October, colleagues from Forum Central’s Communities of Interest Network joined the Health Equity Network conference in Liverpool. Mary Halsey attended alongside representatives from ASHA, Barca Leeds and Leeds Mind. They returned with a shared message: we know the problems – now we must focus on action.
A reminder of why health inequity matters
The conference was a wake-up call. As one attendee said, it felt like a “good smack in the face”. Nothing discussed was new. We already know the data, and we hear the stories every day across the VCSE sector in Leeds.
Health inequity is avoidable. Poverty is preventable. Yet the systems we work in continue to place the heaviest burden on people who already face the greatest barriers.
Keynote speaker Lord John Bird called this the “inheritance of poverty”, stressing that poverty is not only about income but about limited power, choice and opportunity. Child poverty rates in the UK remain among the highest in the OECD. A child born into the lowest income decile in the UK will take five generations to reach the average income level.
The conference made clear that we cannot accept this as normal.
The strength of the VCSE sector
The Third Sector is central to tackling these challenges. Our sector acts quickly, holds trusted relationships, and understands communities in ways that large systems often cannot. But short-term funding stops organisations from planning for long-term change.
Reps highlighted how essential it is that investment goes beyond services. We need good data, shared platforms, and approaches that genuinely shift power to communities. Without this, the cycle of crisis will continue.
Small structural changes make a big difference
Speakers showed how practical steps can remove barriers and support health outcomes. Examples included:
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furnished tenancies
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automatic access to free school meals
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flexible appointments
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culturally safe health checks in trusted VCSE spaces
These small changes link to a bigger idea: moving from a scarcity mindset to stewardship. A wellbeing economy values health, dignity and stability.
Building a movement, not another report
A recurring theme was the need for a social movement “built on outrage and hope”. Policies alone will not close the gap. We need sustained national leadership and a clear focus on preventing poverty.
There was also a call for a national approach such as a Ministry for Poverty Prevention. Tackling childhood poverty was seen as one of the most powerful ways to change future outcomes.
Equity and inclusion at the centre
The Reps from Leeds spoke strongly about the impact of discrimination and power imbalances. Many people from racialised communities feel unable to complain or challenge poor experiences, which reduces trust and leads to lower use of services. Simple, culturally safe support – such as blood pressure checks delivered in community settings – can rebuild confidence.
This is the work the VCSE sector does every day in Leeds.
Reflections from our Reps
Alia Nessa (ASHA Leeds) shared how the conference connected to her 25 years of working with marginalised communities. She highlighted the urgency of using data, long-term planning and targeted action, saying:
“We need real, tangible change and impact; otherwise we will be discussing the same issues again in a decade.”
Sarah (Barca Leeds) and Lucy (Leeds Mind) echoed this. They stressed the importance of giving communities a stronger voice in decisions, and ensuring services are shaped around people’s realities, not assumptions.
What this means for Leeds
We cannot afford to lose any progress. Covid showed how quickly inequalities can widen again.
Every decision made locally and nationally must move us closer to equity. Healthy people build healthy communities – and healthy communities build a strong, fair economy.
The VCSE sector in Leeds has the relationships, expertise and courage to lead this work. But we cannot do it alone. We need long-term investment, shared commitment and systems that value prevention as much as treatment.
Health inequity is not just about health. It is about justice. And injustice must never be acceptable.
