We are wales: taking the hospital to the community - an engagement experiment

Abstract In Wales we are facing two major barriers to public health engagement. The first is describing our communities as ‘hard to reach’ when in public service we make little effort to reach them, and second, we do not consider in population level research or practice how we are perpetuating the sense of, and real, inequality in our communities that our work on social determinants of health and health inequalities seeks to address. In Wales we want to take the ‘hospital to the community’; to meet people where they are at, where they live and work and where they experience barriers to inclusion, discrimination, lack of trust and fear. ‘We are Wales’ is is built on the Museum of the United Nations concept of a global we - except we will start small with a small nation that as yet has not worked out how to include and involve everyone in our communities in the policy and practice decisions that may help, or hinder us all from leading a healthier, happier life. ‘We are Wales’ is a simple concept; it is about amplifying and connecting people who would not normally do so, because they do not have the resources or capacity to travel or take time out. It is about equal power in a connection to find solutions to adversity and trauma caused by structural inequality; it is about relationships, inclusion, kindness and compassion - and listening, sharing and taking action without judgement. We have taken a dome to communities in economically deprived areas of Wales and stimulated conversation between politicians, young people and communities around the concept of home. Using a virtual reality dome to project images to encourage discussion we have provided a safe space to amplify and include the voices of those who want to be heard and deserve to be listened to. Key messages • ‘Take the hospital to the community’ - meet people where they are at and feel safe. • power sharing and an equal place at the table stimulates ideas and knowledge change in a trauma-informed way.