Rural Health Equity explores health inequalities in rural Scottish Highland and Island communities, working across Caithness, Lochaber and the Western Isles. The project team are working closely with local people and groups to make the most of community assets such as museums, libraries, heritage sites and outdoor spaces, helping to build healthier, stronger and more connected communities.

Running until December 2027, Rural Health Equity is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and led by Highland-based researcher Dr. Sara Bradley (University of South Wales) in partnership with NHS Highland, Change Mental Health, the University of the Highlands and Islands and the University of Dundee.

 

Rural Health Equity hopes to contribute to lasting positive change

Supporting better access to, and enjoyment of local community resources.

Exploring how community resources can more effectively promote health and wellbeing.

Creating new opportunities for places like museums and arts centres to work with communities and support community-led activities.

Strengthening links between mainstream healthcare and other services that support health and wellbeing.

Developing a better understanding of rural health challenges and the value of local communities and groups working together.

 

Making it Happen

The project aims to achieve these goals through a range of focused approaches

Social Prescribing and Community Wellbeing
Widening engagement with heritage through place-based programmes and community-led research. Exploring new pathways that connect communities with healthcare services and support health, wellbeing and social connection.

Rural Health Inequalities and Intersectionality
Recognising lived experience to understand how geography, poverty, gender, age, ethnicity and disability affect access to health, wellbeing and cultural participation while connecting with communities most affected.

Inclusive Representation
Engaging communities and amplifying underrepresented voices through creative and heritage-based activities. Supporting connection, belonging and shared ownership of local assets.

Participatory and Place-based Research Methods
Using participatory and community-led approaches to collect and analyse community knowledge. Supporting shared learning, practical outcomes and evidence for rural policy and service design.

Partnerships and Capacity Building
Developing a network with national, regional and local representation across public, third sector and community partners. Consolidating diverse expertise and lived experience to address inequalities through an intersectional lens and strengthen collaboration across heritage, community and healthcare sectors.