Yma turns 4

Today we celebrate the fourth anniversaryof our incorporation, and we have much to celebrate.

Our partnership with Pathways Alliance Limited and the HealthPathways Communityhas transformed our ability to make a difference for the people of Wales. Wehave been able to play a key role in this complex programme, supporting thedelivery of over 130 national clinical pathways to date. The investment thatthis programme has made in our team has created 5 new jobs in our businessalone, and over 40 across thewider programme and Health Board teams.

Through our evaluation andlearning capabilities we have enabled Marie Curie todemonstrate the impact and value of their services in West Glamorgan andbeyond, and have been part of their award winning poster team.

We have secured funding from WelshGovernment through the FlexibleInnovation Support fund to understand the possibilities of new servicedelivery models with the Football Association of Wales.

We have undertaken a piece of discoveryaround proactive care for farming communities as a result of a grant we wereawarded through the LaunchPadcompetition, which is co-funded by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

We have developed new workingrelationships with NECS through our contributionto projects for Wrexham County Borough Council and currently in Cwm TafMorgannwg University Health Board.

Last week I was invited to talkat the West Wales Regional Partnership BoardConference and Awards. The event marked the first opportunity for this group ofpeople to meet in person for four years and I was honoured to have the chanceto be a part of it.

In planning my speech, whichtouched on the ingredients for successful collaboration, I was reminded of thesimple questions that led to formation of Yma.

·       What do we care about?

·       What are we seeing in the environment we are working and living in?

·       What matters most to us and the people we serve?

·       What do we have energy for?

It is good to check in on these questions, as I will admit that while the last year has been filled with incredible success and moments of impact and achievement, it has also been relentless with moments of disappointment and challenge. 

At our Strategic Advisory Board this month, I heard how much our contribution is valued, especially when we turn our attention to the people working in primary care.

Our time hosting the All Wales Cluster Lead Group concluded this year when the funding came to an end. While we are still connected into the community of Cluster and Collaborative leads, and have opportunities to work with some of them through our projects, I do feel sad that we are no longer able to directly support this network to collaborate and take action in a very difficult time.

In my experience, collaboration works best when

·       people are able to connect and interact as their whole selves;

·       A shared purpose and sense of what matters is at the centre of the joint endeavour; and

·       There is an environment that presents possibility and opportunity for the collaboration to thrive.

As Yma sets off into our fifth year, what do I have energy for?

In my view, the third sector, social enterprises and purpose-driven organisations, have a super-power when it comes to creating the conditions for successful collaboration, especially when it comes to true co-production with the people we aim to serve.

I wonder if the current crisis we find ourselves in across public services will be solved by a change programme or a commissioning intention alone?  

What if community driven design, enabled by third sector partners is the best chance we have at collaborating ourselves out of this mess?

The team at Yma are here to play our part. We are here for the people of Wales, and we are here for you.