Unlocking Fairer Health in Gloucestershire: A Journey of Connection and Collaboration
What is the HCT Co-lab? … more than just a programme.
The HCT co-lab is a development programme for people from different walks of life keen to collaborate with others in Gloucestershire to grow fairer health. The first co-lab programme ran from September 2024 to March 2025, with recruitment of 18 participants starting in the spring of 2024. The ‘HCT co-lab’ was specifically designed as a space for a cohort of people, from Gloucestershire, to explore how they might work differently together.
Beyond the waiting room: Redefining "Health"
When we talk about health we don’t just mean the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Health requires the right building blocks to be in place - stable and good quality jobs, housing, health, social care and education as well as active communities and access to the natural environment – these all contribute to how we can stay well and withstand life’s shocks and challenges.
The Urgent Need for Change: Why We Can't Go It Alone
The stark reality is that unfair and systemic differences continue to plague the care people receive and the opportunities they have to lead healthy lives. In Gloucestershire, some people are tragically dying years before they should. This isn't just a statistic; it's a call to action. Changing this in Gloucestershire can’t be done by a single person, organisation or sector so success comes down to how well we can work together.
We recognise that fostering fairer health across a complex system is rarely a neat, predictable process. It's often messy, dynamic, and requires constant attention as circumstances evolve. But within this complexity lies immense opportunity. Our hope is that the HCT co-lab has seeded a peer group working for fairer health as we believe that everyone from the community needs to be involved equitably and collaboratively in living and staying well.
The HCT co-lab provided an opportunity for participants to increase their understanding, skills and confidence in “working well together”, growing a new network of peers drawn from across the system who are curious to explore how to develop agile, creative and collaborative responses that level out differences in power and equity.
Relationships at the Heart of Change
Prioritising genuine relationships between people and sectors isn't just a nice idea; it's a proven catalyst for progress. It leads to smarter ways of working and, crucially, creates better, more fulfilling environments for everyone involved. Our bold vision is simple: this enjoyable, effective way of working together becomes the norm in Gloucestershire – not the exception.
“A system isn’t just any old collection of things. A system is an interconnected set of elements that coherently organise in a way that achieves something.” Donella Meadows.
The HCT Co-lab is about intentionally building those interconnected elements.
Echoing Einstein's profound truth “we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”. Instead we gave our participants time to think how they might grow their capacities and confidence specifically to think, turn up, meet and lead differently – essential skills if we are to change the health inequalities embedded in the current system.
A Tapestry of Perspectives: Our Diverse Cohort
With our clear understanding that almost all aspects of our lives can have an impact on our health, we brought together people from a variety of sectors to mirror this truth. People working in health and social care, housing, environment, education, a community setting or in any space between these groups. In selecting participants our intention was to bring together the most diverse group of people we could to encourage difference and explore a variety of perspectives and experiences together.
In addition, all participant fees were fully funded, to reduce barriers to participation for individuals or organisations. A combination of 6 sessions were held virtually and complimented with 5 in person sessions. We were fortunate to also be supported by a series of guest speakers and change agents providing lightening talks and insight into their personal journeys as change agents.
Throughout the programme, as facilitators and participants, we maintained a constant lens on inclusion. We considered each participant's unique learning needs, weaving support directly into the design and delivery of every session.
Want to learn more about our amazing participants? Click here.
The Catalyst for Collaboration: Our Curriculum
This programme is based on the Catalyst Chords curriculum developed by nowhere and Create Gloucestershire and included:
Mastering New Ways of Thinking Together: Shifting mindsets for collective problem-solving.
Transforming how we meet: Making every interaction purposeful and productive
Encouraging the best of ourselves to turn up every day
Developing the ability to be able to hold discomfort and difference
Building deeply human and nourishing cultures: Creating truly supportive working relationships
Participants weren't just learning in theory; they were actively encouraged to put these skills into practice during sessions and, crucially, within their own communities and workplaces between sessions.
Art, Connection, and Lasting Impact
Our journey throughout the HCT co-lab was joined by our artist in residence, Lucy Turner, who joined our in person sessions and leaned into our conversations and activities to artistically represent what was resonating for us all during our time together and complement a parallel word-based evaluation approach. Lucy produced a series of digital images entitled, ‘belonging’, ‘overcoming imposter syndrome’, ‘shifting paradigms’ and ‘constellations’. These images became powerful visual anchors of our shared experience.
To maximise leaning into difference, all participants were provided with an opportunity to expand their connections within Gloucestershire on a 1-1 basis. We convened a 3.5 hours exchange, for each participant, utilising the method of coaching, mentoring, shadowing or peer learning. We asked all parties to share knowledge, provide insight to their work environment, actively build relationships and provide encouragement. All parties agreed to be curious and open, honour confidentiality and value difference and be open to continuous feedback
A New Beginning: Celebrating Our Achievements
On a sunny morning in May, we gathered for a joyous celebration event, bringing together all participants and members of the HCT stewardship group. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, reconnect, and share in our achievements. We proudly presented our HCT co-lab participants with well-deserved certificates, marking their commitment and dedication.
We held space for a discussion on the continuation of our systemic practice, through the application of products produced in partnership with our facilitators, artist in residence and participants.
Signing in to the celebration event.
Displaying Lucy’s artwork
Receiving a certificate
A thoughtfully designed reflective journal
A unique deck of cards to spark and aid collaboration
Inspiring badges to ignite conversations
And an innovative e-appreciation card for sharing throughout the next year with our first alumni, extending the spirit of gratitude and connection.
Reflective Journals
co-lab Badges
The co-lab coaching cards.
Watch our Vox Pops for a peek into the participant experience.
For further enquiries about the HCT co-lab and our mission to create a healthier, fairer Gloucestershire, please reach out to us at: colab@creategloucestershire.co.uk
Coming soon: The programme has undergone a through, independent evaluation and these results will be available over the coming weeks.