This virtual roundtable session discussed some of the stark health inequalities across communities post pandemic.  It also focused in on the opportunities that culture, arts, heritage and leisure has in learning from Build Back Fairer: The COVID-19 Marmot Review and from National work prior to and during the pandemic, to truly build back fairer.

Hosted by Julie Russell, CLOA Executive Committee Member, the panel of listeners and speakers were:

• Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health, Wakefield – So where has COVID left us now? A brief introduction of the session, the challenge ahead post COVID and the opportunity for the sector.
• Martyn Allison, Former IDeA national advisor and LGA Associate – Presentation on Marmots’ work on health inequalities, the concept of proportional universalism and what these contribute to the challenge we face if we want to build back fairer.
• Karen Creavin Chief Executive, Active Wellbeing society – Presentation drawing on international and national examples of good practice on how we might engage with communities to tackle health inequalities.
• Victoria Hume, Director, Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance – How museums, heritage and creative practice has been supporting people shielding at home, or in institutions during the pandemic.  Drawing on examples of good practice that have reached out to the most vulnerable populations.