Graham Burgess gives his support to Good Neighbours

"I am delighted to be back in Blackburn as Chair of Blackburn with Darwen CCG. One of my key tasks as Chair is engagement with members of the public and stakeholders in the borough. At a time when the NHS and social care is having to undergo tremendous change, engagement is even more important than ever.

We need to find out the things that are really important to people and make sure they are preserved and protected where we can. But we also need to work with the public to test their opinions on what services we can deliver differently but ensure that they still meet their needs.

Blackburn has always had a fantastic record of engagement, particularly at neighbourhood level. We believe that neighbourhoods have a strong role to play in improving and sustaining people’s health and wellbeing, as is proven over and over again. If you are happy in your neighbourhood, then this has clear links to your health.

Strong neighbourhoods can support people to stay in their own homes longer. It is where most people would prefer to be looked after and we want to look at how we can strengthen neighbourhoods to allow them to support people in so they don’t have to go to hospital or a care home.

That is why I am delighted to sponsor the Good Neighbour Awards 2016 and donate a prize. Although I think it will be very hard to choose a winner because there will be so many strong candidates out there. The difference they are making to people’s lives and their neighbourhoods is huge and I am delighted that they are being recognised in this way."