New document shares what we mean by 'prevention' and the VCFSE sector’s role

It lays out the VCFSE sector’s role in preventing physical and mental ill-health and improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities, reflecting the sector’s unique contribution, the asset-based approach needed to work with communities and our ambitions for the future.

It will be used to support the influencing work of the GM VCFSE Leadership Group, our external communications, our campaigns content, and support with framing events, workshops, and other ways in which we bring our sector together.

The headlines:

1. We believe in a health creation approach that emphasises agency, relationships and community assets, rather than disease-centric models.
2. Ill health is inextricably linked with our social, environmental and economic conditions.
3. We build on the positive assets of people so that they can live independent healthier lives.
4. Prevention is a health issue and it is an economic issue.
5. We must focus on increasing the years that every person lives in good health, as well as overall life expectancy.
6. An effective approach to measuring impact recognises complexity and starts with what matters to people.
7. Our sector has a proud history of building a range of brilliant and innovative community, fostering support systems that bring people together.
8. There is no quick fix - effective prevention will take a generation or more.

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