Anticipatory care (AC) is a systematic approach designed to support people’s current and future health needs. An effective anticipatory care system relies on a combination of accessible, locally-appropriate services and facilities, and collaborative, trusting relationships between services and between services and citizens. The system is shaped by policy at all levels of government and within organisations but must reflect local ways of working and resources.

The neighbourhood house model used by the Our Community Our Care team, built on a strengths-based community development approach, is an ideal place from which to work to enhance anticipatory care. The OCOC team is trusted, nimble and flexible, characteristics that are a good fit for this action learning project. The team is supported by its established role in relationship building across sectors, ‘get in and do it attitude’, and ability to hear from the community, to advocate, and to rapidly see the impacts of what they do and adjust accordingly.