Community Engagement: Reflection on Best Practices for Better Health and Well-being

This report reflects on the best practices for community engagement in order to improve the health and well-being of individuals. It discusses the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of the community, listening to their perspectives, and promoting equality and respect. The report also highlights areas for personal improvement, such as academic writing and time management skills.

COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Community engagement is process of coordinating group of individuals that have similar
interest, preferences work together in order to address particular issue that is faced by most of the
individuals. British heart foundation is an registered charity organisation that has started its
operation in 1961 by group of medical professionals that are highly concerned about increasing
death rate due to cardiovascular diseases. The organisation mainly operates to conduct research
related to circulatory and heart diseases along with their risk factors. This report is an reflection
on best practices that could be used for community engagement for better health and well being
of people living in society. The aim of reflection is self critic on personal development and areas
that can be improved in order to increase employability skills. Therefore, this report will helps in
understanding the skill that I have learned during the module which can be used in corporate
world.
REFLECTION
Reflection is an analytical practice that helps an individual’s to reflect on its strength as
well as weakness so that necessary steps can be undertaken to improve the same. In another
words, reflection engage individuals in exploring their previous experience to learn new things
for bright future ahead (Ahmed and et.al., 2017). In order to reflect on best practice related to
community engagement, what I have learnt in module and while completing the part A of the
assessment Gibbs reflective cycle will be used. It is one of the most famous reflective models
that have six stages: description, feeling, evaluation, analysis, and conclusion and action plan.
Thereby, Gibbs reflective cycle is as follows:
DESCRIPTIONS
It is first element of the model which lays emphases on describing the events or
experience like what has happen, when, where etc. So, I was given an assignment on an
organisation named as British heart foundation which is charitable firm emphasis on conducting
more research related to cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heart and circulatory
diseases. The assignment has helped me in knowing about the firm, its practices related to
community engagement so that people living in society can enjoy healthy lifestyle for longer
time frame (Bracic, 2018). I have make use secondary sources like books, journals, article and
internet to gathered information related to BHF in terms of its practices, history, stakeholder
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relationship and management of multi-culture. So, overall the module was related to making
project on social enterprise and the way it is engaging community so that they can live healthy
lifestyle or chance of death can be reduce in UK that are arising from cardiovascular problem.
Overall the topic or study related to British heart foundation was something new which has helps
me in understanding the way community engagement can contribute in solving common issue
(Reynolds, 2017).
FEELING
This is second stage of reflective model which state about feeling related to my previous
experience that is whether I was happy, sad or anger or may be nervous. So, it is a stage that
generally specifies about what has been feel during and after the experience by an individual.
Such as in initial stage, I was feeling quite nervous, hesitated that I would able to complete the
task or not or through which source I would gathered necessary information related to the topic.
But by making use of internet and many other sources I am able to get about British heart
foundation is charity firm that research on heart and circulatory diseases in order to find
alternative method that could be used for treatment of problem or issue (Christensen, 2018). In
addition to this, when I continue the study furthermore, I get to know that British heart
foundation provide care and support to around 7 million people with a motivate to reduce the risk
and improve their health condition. Getting information about organisation has take tremendous
steps to engage community in reducing chance of death due to heart and cardiovascular diseases
has make me happy and motivated to carry more research. I feel glad to know that the way it
make several research, study to gathered information related to diseases and find alternative
method for treatment (Brannon, 2018). Furthermore, the information pertaining to community
engagement has make me happy as I am able to understand the way group of individuals have
worked together to resolve the major health issue that is health and cardiovascular. Therefore, in
initial stage I was quite nervous but as I proceed further I am able to understand the way the
project will be completed and all information will be collected and arranged.
EVALUATION
It is stage at which individuals evaluate both positive and negative outcome of the
situation or previous experience thus it helps in understanding what have gone go and bad. The
things that have gone well while making the project that I have good command on digital
technology that has help me in getting information through internet. I am easily able to gathered
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relevant facts, analysis and interpretate the same which helps in making the project more useful.
In addition to this, I have knowledge related to British heart foundation previously so it has acts
as an ease for me to collect relevant detailed related to it in limited time frame (Wilson, 2019). I
am able to gather information related to best practices of community engagement so that specific
issue faced by number of individuals can be easily resolved. At the same time effective research
skills has also contributed in searching information from different sources so that appropriate,
reliable information can be easily derived. On the other hand, I do not have good academic
writing skills that has created problem for me to present the information related to British Hearts
foundation like its history, training and development process given to staff member so that their
skills can be enhanced. I have also face challenge in segregating information but finally I am
able to integrate all crucial information in the assignment for better understanding of multi
culture and information related to BHF (Lawton, 2019). Moreover, I also lack creative thinking
skills, as i am unable to find new or alternative method that could be used to do particular task.
Lack of creative thinking has resulted in problem in making the project related to British Heart
foundation that takes care of heart patient. Time management skills are also poor as i am not able
to manage time to some extend that resulted in making me stressful but finally I have cope up the
same (Straus, 2017). Therefore, it can be interpreted that something has gone well, but there are
numerous areas in which I have to face challenge related to gathering, analysing information
related to BHF.
ANALYSIS
This is fourth element of Gibbs reflective cycle that helps in understanding thing that any
individuals have been learned through previous experience. Likewise, while making project on
social enterprise named as British Heart foundation that is engaged in conducting research on
heart and circulatory diseases and their associated risk factors. I have learned information related
to best practices of community engagement such as firstly we have to understand the type of
people with which we are dealing, their area of interest, preferences, behaviour. In order to
coordinate them to work together as a team to resolve particular issue in best possible manner
(Sampson, 2017). British heart foundation has understand that many of the individuals in United
Kingdom are dying due to heart and cardiovascular diseases so it has selected community that
are highly concerned about their health and well being. Thereby, start a charitable organisation to
support people that are suffering from heart diseases so that they can live life for many years.
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Another thing that I have learnt related to practice of community engagement is that
listening to their needs, wants or issue that they are facing. Seeking each individual perspective
or points of view related to the problem that they are facing due to heart and circulatory diseases.
As it will helps in identifying the cause, issue and alternative method of treatment that could be
used for better health of person. The study has also helped me in understanding that in order to
engage group of individuals towards specify task they must be aware of how engagement should
look and feel like. They should be provided information related to why it is necessary to make
coordinate efforts such as British Heart foundation has tried to explain that most of the deaths in
United Kingdom are because of heart diseases (Tyser, 2020). So, it has motivated in engagement
of people to take necessary steps as well as precaution to protect themselves from several
diseases for healthy life ahead.
Moreover, through the previous project, I am also able to understand that community
engagement can be improved through following core principle that is equality, justice and
respect to each individual. Such as all individuals need to be given equal care, support related to
heart and cardiovascular diseases irrespective of culture, religion and gender them belong to will
lead in more community engagement. In addition to this, I have also gained knowledge that
clearly defined roles and responsibilities needs to be completed by specific individuals also help
in community engagement. That is British Heart foundation through clearly stating its staff
member about the respective role is able to provide treatment to maximum number of people
thereby improve their health (Wain, 2017). Therefore, I have learnt lot many things from my
module and study related to social enterprise which is engage in provide better care and support
to number of people residing in UK suffering from heart diseases. All these knowledge will help
me in my future career as I am able to know the way group of individuals can be engage for
particular purpose so that desired outcome can be achieved.
CONCLUSION
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that I have good digital skills which has
helped me in collecting all necessary information related to British Heart foundation, the way it
worked, its stakeholder relationship and many more. I am able to collect more and more
information and pursue the study further. Despite of the fact that i have better command on
digital skills, I have lack knowledge related to presentation of data or academic writing which
has created problem in segregating and structuring the information (Lawton, 2019).
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Furthermore, it can be concluded that I have to improve my time management and creative
thinking for bright future ahead in personal and professional career.
ACTION PLAN
It is last stage of Gibbs reflective model, which specify the areas that needs to be
improved so that better employment opportunities can be gained in near future. In another words,
it explain the procedure and steps that are taken by individuals to improve its existing skills,
knowledge and capabilities (Straus, 2017). Likewise, I need to work on my time management,
critical thinking, academic writing and knowledge related to community engagement for higher
growth and success. Such as:
Skills need to be
developed
Strategies that would
be used to enhance
particular skills
Method that will be
used to measure
skills
Time frame
Academic writing
skills
I have planned to
improve my academic
writing skills through
regularly practicing
and learning method
in which information
needs to be structured
so that other
individual can easily
understand and
interpret.
To measure
development of
academic writing
skills, I take feedback
from others or my
lecturer.
Around 2-3 month
will be required for
development of
academic writing
skills.
Knowledge related to
community
engagement
For gaining more
knowledge related to
community
engagement practices
I have planned to read
more and more books
and make use of
internet. As in recent
When I have
knowledge of all
practices used for
community
engagement (Bracic,
2018).
4-5 month will be
timeframe required to
develop knowledge.
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scenario, internet is
best sources of
gathering large
number of
information related to
particular topic.
Critical thinking skills I have decided to
improve my critical
thinking skill by
playing puzzle, or
different games.
Reading books,
published article of
successful individuals
to know about the
way they critically
think on particular
aspect.
This skill can be
easily measured
through understanding
who many creative
and innovative ideas I
can identify or
critically think on
them. That is both in
positive and negative
manner.
6 month will be need
for improvement of
critical thinking skills.
Time management
skills
This is last skill or
area in which I lack
which I have planned
to improve to get
higher success in
future career. So, in
order to work on my
time management
skills, I will schedule
activities that need to
be completed in
specific time frame.
To measure
development of time
management skills, I
will analysis who
many activities I am
able to complete in
given time frame
(Brannon, 2018).
Around 5 Month may
be required to work
on my existing time
management skills for
better results.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report or reflection there are many things which can be concluded that it
helps me to know my weakness and strength. Moreover, it helps in reflecting on my previous
experienced that is thing that I have learnt while making the assignment related to social
enterprise which is dedicatedly working for resolving common health problem. It can also be
summarised that through this reflective, various best practices of community engagement has
been understand and the way it lead in coping with the Heart and cardiovascular diseases faced
by maximum number of people in United Kingdom. At last it can be interpreted that the
reflection has also helped me in planning future strategies or action that I would take to improve
my existing skills.
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Ahmed, S. M and et.al., 2017. Towards a practical model for community engagement: advancing
the art and science in academic health centers. Journal of clinical and translational
science, 1(5). pp.310-315.
Bracic, A., 2018. For better science: The benefits of community engagement in research. PS,
Political Science & Politics, 51(3). pp.550-553.
Brannon, R. M., 2018. Rotation, reflection, and frame changes (pp. 2053-2563). IOP Publishing.
Christensen, H. E., 2018. Community engagement and professionalization: Emerging tensions.
In Applied ethics in the fractured state. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Lawton, P. H., 2019. At the crossroads of intersecting ideologies: Community-based art
education, community engagement, and social practice art. Studies in Art
Education, 60(3). pp.203-218.
Reynolds, M., 2017. Organizing reflection. Routledge.
Sampson, M., 2017. Heart disease and mental health. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 12(10).
pp.473-473.
Straus, S., 2017. Studying perpetrators: a reflection. Journal of Perpetrator Research, 1(1).
Tyser, R., 2020. Reflections of research: The Forming Heart. British Journal of Cardiac
Nursing, 15(2). pp.1-2.
Wain, A., 2017. Learning through reflection. British Journal of Midwifery, 25(10). pp.662-666.
Wilson, P. A., 2019. The heart of community engagement: Practitioner stories from across the
globe. Routledge.
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