Creating new healthcare spaces - constructing the concept of caring local community practice through collaborative writing

Purpose: This study investigates healthcare practice emerging through a co-creative outreach initiative with a social housing association to foster community engagement for residents with illness and disability. Using a collaborative writing methodology, we conducted two workshops with healthcare professionals and researchers to explore this practice. Findings: We develop the concept of Caring Local Community Practice, a co-creative care approach aimed at inclusive participation. However, we argue that co-creation does not automatically ensure inclusivity. Rather than focusing on including “the marginalized other” into fixed settings, we propose the concept of inclusiveness as an ongoing, relational engagement that builds communities through diverse ways of being. Originality/value: While highlighting the health-promoting and equity-enhancing potential of this practice, we stress the need for institutional and policy changes to fully realize it. This study contributes insights into relational approaches in healthcare engagement and the use of collaborative writing workshops as a transformative research method.