Current involvement opportunities

NHS Black Country ICB is looking to recruit “Ambassadors” across the Black Country to help reach underserved communities and to address health inequalities in accessing general practice services across the Black Country.

We want to work with local organisations to recruit “Ambassadors” that will promote, share, and spread messages about changes to accessing general practice services to our people and communities, focusing on reaching those who face the poorest health outcomes. We will provide the ambassadors with the messages we want them to deliver, but they’ll also listen to understand the barriers our communities face in accessing general practice services.

Ambassadors should be trusted voices working within our communities to understand what barriers and challenges communities face when accessing general practice and how we can work together to better improve their access, experience and outcomes. The feedback we receive will help us shape and co-design future communication within our communities and influence the rollout of modern general practice to practices in areas with the poorest health outcomes.

We recognise that you might not feel equipped with all of the information and messages on the changes to accessing general practice services, so we will be hosting a training workshop that takes place on the 13th May from 10am – 4pm which is essential to attend.

Ambassadors will receive project funds of £3600 for VCSE led conversations and co-design to be delivered between April and September 2025. The funding is based on 1 day a week for 24 weeks at £150 per day and will be paid before delivery of the work.

Send your expression of interest form to involve.blackcountry@nhs.net by 31st March 2025. We will be reviewing the expressions of interest once we have reached the deadline for applications and will be letting successful applicants know week commencing 21st April.

As technology is being used more frequently within health and social care settings, the Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) has launched a survey to explore how GP services are being accessed digitally and connect with people who may not have access to a digital device.

We would like to hear from as many people as possible about their experiences and any barriers faced, in accessing digital resources for their health and care needs. This will build on the insights we have gathered from local people over the last couple of years and once collated, will shape what more we can be doing to support people to access digital tools, help and advice.

You are invited to complete our survey, and we encourage you to share this opportunity with any relatives, friends, neighbours or groups who may not be online/ don’t have a digital device and may need support to complete the survey. This could be in one of the following ways:

• By completing the online survey, with the help of someone who has a device or can complete it on their behalf if needed at: https://forms.office.com/e/dN7Nr2uDSF
• By completing the survey over the phone – Please contact the Involvement team on 0121 612 1447, who will arrange a call-back with the Digital Inequalities team.
• By requesting paper copies of the survey to share with any groups you may belong to, whom this survey might apply - please send requests directly to emma.sharman@nhs.net