NETWORKS INVOLVING COMMUNITIES IN HEALTH IMPROVEMENT (NICHI)
This project was established in 2009 with funding from the Public Health Agency, NICHI operates across the Northern Locality under the management of local Community Support Networks, including NACN.
Its primary objective is to facilitate community involvement in enhancing health and social wellbeing while mitigating health disparities. NICHI’s activities encompass:
Engaging with communities to discern their needs and assets concerning health improvement.
Facilitating a community development approach to enhance health and social wellbeing at the local level.
Facilitating access to high-quality training and educational programs.
Assisting groups in accessing funding opportunities related to health.
Arranging networking events for community, voluntary, and statutory organisations.
Enhancing communities’ capacity to engage and participate in shaping the broader public health agenda
The aim of NICHI is to foster stronger connections between the Public Health Agency (PHA) and local communities. Through a community development approach, NICHI aims to assist local communities in addressing health and social wellbeing concerns and diminishing health disparities. This is achieved through activities such as signposting, capacity building, and enhancing local accountability. Ultimately, NICHI seeks to cultivate healthy, sustainable communities and empower health champions within them.
NICHI Model Groups
A number of communities receive support each year at the local level to tackle health and social wellbeing issues through a community development approach. This method entails:
● Engaging with the community to pinpoint local needs, priorities, assets, and aspirations regarding health improvement.
● Transforming these insights into a targeted action plan aimed at fostering a healthier community.
● Executing the identified actions, bolstering community capacity, and fostering partnerships.
● Monitoring and assessing both the process and outcomes, documenting and disseminating the insights gained from this approach.
