Exploring Common Ground around tackling health inequalities

This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 15th April 2026

A recent learning exchange has brought people together from Northern Ireland and Scotland to strengthen practice around community development and health.

A partnership between CHEX and the Community Development and Health Network, the Common Ground programme aimed to build partnerships and share learning around key issues such as tackling poverty, improving health inequalities, and supporting community leadership.

Following a trip to Belfast last year hosted by Community Development and Health Network, CHEX was delighted to invite colleagues to Glasgow, where participants explored what community development practice could look like in 2046, while asking: what will it take for us to get to this future?

The shared experiences of communities in Northern Ireland and Scotland were in focus, as well as the challenging financial environment community organisations supporting these communities face.

Trust also emerged from the discussions, and the need for rhetoric to be put into practice - as well as the importance of lived and direct experience of individuals, communities, and practitioners.

This shared learning comes as we see new emphasis on preventative approaches, raising questions about how we close the policy implementation gap and see the impact of this work across our communities.