A brief history of Health Exchange
Health Exchange was born from a partnership development between the Heart of Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust and the City Council, launched in July 2006, offering information, advice and collaboration over health and healthy living. Since 2008, it has been operating independently, on behalf of the community, as a social enterprise.
The remit of Health Exchange is to change the context in which health information is delivered to and accessed by all communities.
The approach is designed to move away from health as disease prevention or cure, to a perception of health as a choice that is available to and accessible by all.
Health Exchange aims to raise levels of knowledge and awareness of healthy lifestyles, by developing an intelligence delivered through a partnership with the voluntary and community sector.
In May 2008, Health Exchange was launched as a Social Enterprise (CIC, trading as a Company Limited by Guarantee) having functioned in shadow form for the previous 2 years within the Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT. This meant Health Exchange became a separate company, no longer dependent on the PCT or NHS, and thus able to make independent decisions and pursue work it feels best suits the community.
In 2010, Health Exchange achieved the Matrix Standard; a national quality standard for any organisation that delivers information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work. Matrix rewards for engagement, support and efficiency of service and being awarded the standard is a testimony to our commitment in developing communities and rewarding staff.
In addition to the community engaging services of Health Exchange through its supporters, health trainers and chronic disease educators, there is a strong and experienced management core; with particular competence in the management and delivery of health promotion, community regeneration, sports and physical activity, mental health promotion and capacity building of black and minority ethnic voluntary community organisations.
