Learning alliance methodology: Contributions and challenges for multicultural planning in health service provision: A case study in Kent, UK

Abstract

This article examines contributions and challenges of learning alliance methodology to multicultural planning in health provision services in an urban context. A learning alliance was implemented to target health needs of different ethno-racial groups through an action research project in Swale, Kent, UK. We argue that a learning alliance is an innovative methodology that can contribute to multicultural planning by (1) promoting the involvement of new planning stakeholders and the institutionalization of learning alliance outcomes, (2) ensuring capacitybuilding strategies, (3) emphasizing documentation and dissemination as innovative practices, and (4) strengthening the network capacity of a community. Critical reflections are presented here as a constructive view to improve both the learning alliance methodology and multicultural planning. The article contributes to debates on public service delivery in the context of discussions about multiculturalism, health and planning.

CRITICAL URBAN PEDAGOGY: Convites as Sites of Southern Urbanism, Solidarity Construction and Urban Learning

“…Some of the most relevant parts of the manifestos highlighted the need to co‐design strategies with communities, to guarantee dwellers their right to stay in the territory, to approach territories from a gender perspective, and to respect community stories, memories and knowledges (see Figure 9). This activity led to the discussion of a proposal to establish a ‘learning alliance’ (Moreno‐Leguizamon et al ., 2015) among all participant actors. The alliance would promote an agenda that could scale up some of the activities tested during the workshop to weave a new neighborhood upgrading narrative.…”

Transbordering assemblages: Power, agency and autonomy (re)producing health infrastructures in the South East of England

“…Nonetheless, because of the effects of the financial crisis that started in 2008, the NHS is currently facing intense competition from private and charity bodies. Moreno-Leguizamon et al (2015) suggest that to understand British society it is important to understand the role of the NHS as a symbol that embodies many ideological battles over the future of the state either for welfare or in its neoliberal nature. This understanding can be acquired through the philosophies of the three political parties, namely Labour, Conservative and the Liberal-Democrats; it can also be acquired from the current debate, including the Brexit 2 debate, over whether Britain should be a society oriented more towards a closed monoculturalism rather than an open multiculturalism.…”

“…The Equality Act makes government bodies and, in particular, health providers responsible for assessing and monitoring all identity strands in health issues, considering race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality, income and age. However, despite efforts to include diverse social groups at policy and provision levels, other actors in the UK such as charities (non-governmental organisations outside the UK), academia and communitybased organisations have pointed out the persistent obliteration of a serious intersectional perspective in the health sector and others (Moreno-Leguizamon et al, 2015, 2017.…”

“…The methodological approach in this paper derives from qualitative data mostly gathered through three research projects carried out by a network of stakeholders comprising social scientist researchers, health service providers, charities, local government bodies and BAME representatives using the Learning Alliance approach as a readaptation of health services provision (Moreno-Leguizamon et al, 2015, 2017. The projects were focused on BAME and GT groups.…”

“…The projects were focused on BAME and GT groups. The three projects were orientated to (1) identifying the general health needs of BAME groups in Swale (Moreno-Leguizamon et al, 2015); (2) identifying issues of chronic pain among BAME people in Kent (Moreno-Leguizamon, 2016); and (3) exploring primary needs in terms of palliative and end-of-life care services among BAME and GT 1 groups in Dartford, Gravesend, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Swale (Moreno-Leguizamon et al, 2017;Moreno-Leguizamon, 2017, 2019). These towns border Greater London and spread from the coastal crossings to the continent, configuring a suburban corridor.…”