Agenda item

The Health and Wellbeing Board communications sub-group has updated its Communications Plan for 2021/22 to build on its work during the previous year and make sure upcoming activity is aligned with the refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Witnesses:

Andrea Newman - Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC)

Giselle Rothwell - Director of Communications and Engagement, Surrey Heartlands ICS

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC) noted that she would welcome the opportunity to report into the Board on a more frequent basis going forward, in order to provide a deeper dive into some of the campaigns and communications activities undertaken.

-       In a later comment the Chairman welcomed both periodic updates and deep dives into key areas and campaigns at future Board meetings.

2.    The Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC) highlighted:

·         That having taken over chairing the Health and Wellbeing Communications Sub-Group alongside the Director of Communications and Engagement, Surrey Heartlands ICS; there had been a shift in the Sub-Group’s approach to ensure a more strategic focus in its work and to utilise the breadth of experience available.

·         That the Sub-Group met periodically and worked collaboratively which had become more important as the Multi-Agency Information Group (MIG) had been disbanded post-Covid; collaborative working was key within the winter communications planning sub-group and the communications groups for the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board.

·         That the Communications Plan was split into three workstreams and had been updated to reflect the changes regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Priorities and she welcomed feedback on the Plan.

·         That despite the focus over the last year on Covid-19 and the vaccine rollout, there had been a multitude of other communications campaigns.

3.    The Director of Communications and Engagement (Surrey Heartlands ICS) highlighted:  

·           The communications overview 2020/21, noting the communications campaigns around Covid-19 and the partnership approach through the MIG, where key messages, assets including videos were disseminated and health and wellbeing support was signposted.

·           That new tactics had been explored whilst in the middle of the pandemic, including the SoonSurrey Instagram account for young people and the wide use of trusted voices across the partnership promoting that consistent messaging and would be vital going forward in continuing to help support the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

·           That the Covid-19 vaccination programme highlighted the proactive joint working across the system and key partners, maximising local relationships with the Imam at the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, with the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community, the universities and the District and Borough Councils helped with reaching into local communities.

·           That a joint approach had been taken to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation through targeted campaigns based on behavioural insights and noted the work to reducing health inequalities through the joint equalities and engagement communications group and stakeholder reference group.

·           The mental health campaign called the ‘We Are the Face of Support’ to raise awareness of the preventative steps for residents and signposting to support services, featuring mental health practitioners and staff. The campaign supported the work of the Mental Health Partnership Board and was the first-time partners had formed a major system-wide collaboration on mental health and wellbeing. It would be launched during World Mental Health Day in October.

4.    The Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC) highlighted:

·         The successful Surrey Together leaflet produced last winter which was sent to all households in Surrey and provided a list of helpful telephone numbers and signposted residents to services in the midst of the pandemic.

·         That a leaflet would be provided again this year as part of a wider winter wellness campaign.

·         The domestic abuse work undertaken through working closely with Women's Aid and Your Sanctuary, domestic abuse had been exacerbated due to the pandemic; noting that whilst a high level of engagement was important, what was key was having an impact on those most affected which was shown through the 76% increase in impressions and hits on Your Sanctuary’s website compared to the previous year.

Carl Hall joined the meeting at 11.30 am

·         That looking ahead to the winter, work was underway concerning the coordinated campaigns and messages around winter pressures and preparedness.

5.    The Chairman noted that the communications campaigns and messaging throughout the pandemic had been tremendous, noting positive feedback from residents; and going forward the issue was about maintaining that level of engagement.

6.    The Joint Executive Director - Public Service Reform (SCC) noted the link with the 2021/22 NHS System Operational Plans - Surrey Heartlands HCP and Frimley Health and Care ICS and the five must do’s for the NHS concerning health inequalities, three of those were relevant to communications and engagement, digital inclusion and targeting those most at risk of health inequalities or of being excluded. One key area to focus on was around restoring the NHS inclusively and the data on that was being reviewed.

-       In response, the Director of Communications and Engagement (Surrey Heartlands ICS) explained that the areas above were being supported through the research and insight work particularly on digital exclusion and on expanding primary care access, it was vital to ensure resident engagement going forward with those different areas of work.

7.    A substitute Board member queried whether the translation of messages to communities that might not understand English was included within the Communications Plan.

-       In response, the Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC) explained that all of the communications materials were translated into easy-read versions and multiple languages, noting the work with the Imam of the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking to translate Government advice, including videos in Urdu and Bengali shared across WhatsApp communities.

Fiona Edwards left the meeting at 11.34 am

RESOLVED:

1.    Supported the refreshed communications plan for 2021/22 and Board members would endorse the approach within their respective organisations.

2.    Noted the communications highlights information.

Actions/further information to be provided:

1.    The Strategic Director for Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement (SCC) will be invited to provide both periodic updates and deep dives into key areas and communications campaigns at future Board meetings.