5 Public partners from the ACHDS PPIE Group joined Raul Berrocal-Martin and Sharon Gordon today for a discussion about the NDL Housing and Health analysis.
Everyone had direct or indirect experience of the impact of housing on health and agreed housing & health is an important topic.
Here are some of the key points from the discussion:
‘A home needs to be safe and warm and be able to connect ..’
‘How nice a home is impacts on mental health.’
‘The topic feels a bit overwhelming. It’s vast and raises lots of questions..’
Heating is a big issue:
‘..cost of living ..and “heating or eating” pressures are a big issue..’
Proper insulation is needed:
‘Insulation can be terrible, so even if heating the flats they can be cold.’
Better transport for access to services is needed especially in rural communities.
People need to feel part of a community.
Who should we involve and talk to about this work?
‘Politicians should hear the results they are the ones with the purse strings that can make the changes.’
Overall, the group suggested we need ‘..more “joined up thinking”..’ to:
- support people being discharged from hospital
- improve transport and connectivity for access to services, especially in rural communities
- create spaces and community hubs – for a sense of being part of a community
- future proof homes and community spaces for an older population
Thanks team for a great discussion!