The Ottawa Charter in practice: community-led action to reduce health inequalities in the UK.

This article presents a practice-based case study illustrating how the action areas and strategies outlined in the Ottawa Charter can be put into practice and reduces neighbourhood-level health inequalities. The Priority Neighbourhood Development (PND) programme in Worcestershire focused on small, high-need geographical areas identified through analyses of emergency hospital admissions and socio-economic data. Work in the socio-economically deprived Westlands housing area is described in detail. Community development workers mapped local assets and deficits, enabling residents to challenge stigmatizing narratives and build positive place identity. A resident-led working group was established and supported with a devolved budget, facilitating locally determined actions such as expanding counselling provision, enhancing community facilities, developing arts and nature-based projects, and improving skills through training and youth-led initiatives. Co-location and outreach by health, housing, voluntary sector, and policing partners reoriented services towards prevention and accessibility. Evaluation after 18 months showed reductions in emergency hospital admissions and children's social care referrals, improved wellbeing, and reduced social isolation. Qualitative feedback highlighted increased empowerment, strengthened community action, and improved access to support. The model has since been scaled across the County and embedded into local policy and commissioning frameworks. The PND Programme demonstrates how neighbourhood-level investment, resident leadership, and cross-sector mediation can meaningfully reduce health inequalities and build healthier, more resilient communities.