Background New public health approaches to palliative care seek to address the social determinants of death, dying and loss as a means to improving access to end-of-life care (Abel & Kellehear (eds.). Oxford textbook of public health palliative care. 2022). Such an approach emphasises the pivotal role communities play in providing support. Community engagement is orientated towards harnessing the skill, knowledge and expertise that exists within them rather than bestowing education and intervention upon them (Sawyer, Higgs, Porter, et al. Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2021;15: 26323524211032984). A community connector is an innovative role focussed on facilitating this process (Aoun, Richmond, Gunton, et al. Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2022;16).

Great Yarmouth and Waveney is one of the few areas of the country without a physical hospice building, this combined with the challenges associated with living and working in rural areas, home to some of the UK’s most socio-economically deprived populations, mean it is a priority region for improving access and equity of palliative care.

Aim The aim of the project is to collaborate and co-produce with local communities to foster networks of support for under-represented groups.

Methods The hospice has an established compassionate community programme founded on the principles of asset-based community development and public health palliative care. We sought further funding from the National Lottery to progress this work.

Results We received funding to employ two community connectors who will create and map a pathway to asset based, culturally literate end-of-life care for under-represented groups. These roles will sit within the hospice’s compassionate community programme and will be supported by existing volunteers at the hospice to co-produce new compassionate community initiatives.

Conclusions We have demonstrated a pathway to progress this work that has successfully achieved significant funding. Through this we hope to inspire other hospices to address issues around access and equity for under-represented groups whilst promoting a conversation around how the impact of this work can be demonstrated at a regional, national and ultimately international level.