Last month the Healthy Histories Project started in Handsworth. The project is linked to the neighbourhood management plan for the priority neighbourhood and forms part of the Be Healthy theme. Within the priority neighbourhood there are real issues in relation to health and particularly health inequalities.
Through the Healthy Histories project we hope to map out what these health issues are and get a better understanding of what people’s health experience is? We are interested in how health has changed in Handsworth since the 19th Century? What conditions or diseases are still problems? How did new health issues emerge e.g. obesity?
We are also interested in how place may or may not impact on health? This is also linked to the range of services people can access locally and other issues such as housing that can have an impact on health.
The Project: a small group of health researchers made up of local residents have been recruited and will lead the research. They have the wonderful chance to develop skills in research, go on free field trips to various venues across Birmingham e.g. Think Tank and then the chance to develop their own art/digital exhibition.
There will also be two community days throughout the summer to help gather more information, engage with a wider group of residents and to raise awareness about local health issues.
More information will be posted here about these events shortly but here are the dates:
- Healthy Histories Community Health Day on Friday 20th August 12-4pm @ Soho House
- Healthy Histories Heritage Walk on Saturday 11th Sept 12 – 4pm @ Soho House to St Marys Church via Handsworth Park
We hope to have an exhibition ready in the autumn and will put updates about this on the blog as details are confirmed.
If you’re interested in joining the team of health researchers then contact me, no experience needed. All activities are free.
The project is being funded by Be Birmingham, English Heritage and Urban Living.
The healthy histories walk is being held as part of Heritage Open Days to find out more about them visit English Heritage site
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