Bridging the gap: How Nova Wakefield District is improving health outcomes for local people
June 27, 2025
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NAVCA members play a crucial role in connecting communities with the support they need. Local infrastructure organisations play a vital role in connecting statutory services with communities, making sure projects reflect real needs and local voices.
One great example is Nova Wakefield District, whose work is making a real difference for people living with severe mental illness (SMI) - a group that faces one of the largest health inequality gaps in England.
Tackling barriers to health checks
People with SMI often experience poor physical health, yet uptake of annual health checks is low. To change this, Nova’s Lead Community Mental Health Builder, Rachel Hale, joined a design group focused on improving communication around these essential check-ups.
The group, made up of NHS colleagues, people with lived experience, and VCSE representatives, redesigned patient invitation packs, including a new letter, health check booklet, and a series of six short videos to help patients and GP staff alike. This kind of collaboration is a fundamental part of what local infrastructure does, bringing together communities to create solutions that are rooted in local knowledge and needs.
The Community Mental Health Builder Team are consulting with local VCSE organisations and services to see if the pack information would help them feel more comfortable to have conversations with their service users with SMI to encourage them to take up their annual physical health check if they don’t currently use it.
A collaborative approach to lasting change
One major challenge raised in the group was poor communication between primary and secondary care systems. Patients often receive duplicate health check reminders, while clinicians lack a clear record of completed tests. Thanks to the group’s work, a pilot project will improve connections between the different parts of the health system in Wakefield, ensuring a smoother experience for patients and healthcare providers.
The trusted convening role of local infrastructure organisations makes this activity possible. They bring together partners across sectors — including communities, the VCSE, and the NHS — to spot gaps, share insights, and co-design practical solutions.
Creativity in co-production
This project wasn’t just about improving processes, it was also about empowering communities. The project partnered with local artist Tony Wade from Edgeland Arts, who invited people with lived experience to contribute through silk painting workshops. The artwork created was not just visually powerful but also built confidence and connection among participants. Here’s what one of the participant organisations said about the workshop:
"This was a “first” experience of taking part in an artist-led workshop and each one of our women were bowled over by the work they produced. They are now very keen to build on this and they would like to share it with the rest of the women from our group."
Why this work matters
This project is a brilliant example of true co-production, where everyone’s voice was valued, and the work was shaped by those with real experience. It highlights the vital role of local infrastructure organisations like Nova Wakefield District, who bridge the gap between statutory services and communities, ensuring that projects are rooted in real needs and local voices are heard.
