Neighbourhood health in action: Communities leading change

To improve health and wellbeing, tackle growing demand and reduce health inequalities the NHS is shifting towards neighbourhood working and preventative care. To deliver this preventative, hyper local healthcare, health services must build local partnerships and support holistic community-led approaches to improving health outcomes.

But while communities are ready to act, they’re often excluded from long-term planning, facing structural barriers and funding constraints.

With funding and support from Local Trust and NHS Alliance, we worked with six community-led organisations across England to explore what is actually required to enable communities to take the lead in driving neighbourhood health. Each of the organisations is building on their Big Local legacy and growing new partnerships with health and social care services in some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the country. 

The approach

We supported each community-led organisation to conduct action research, working closely with them to understand their strengths and challenges, coach local leaders, and build cross-sector partnerships. This included delivering a Community of Practice, where the sites came together to share good practice, develop skills, and problem-solve. 

Partnerships in practice: how to strengthen the role of community-led organisations in neighbourhood health

Our final report identifies five key shifts that are needed for statutory partners and community-led organisations to work together to create sustainable, long-term health and wellbeing in every neighbourhood.

1. From individual relationships to institutional commitment.
2. From separate needs assessments to shared intelligence.
3. From a statutory agenda to a shared agenda.
4. From funding short-term activity to long-term investment.
5. From proving to improving.

The report is intended to inform other community-led organisations, by giving voice to the challenges faced by the sector and highlighting examples of good practice, and statutory sector partners, sharing insights on how they can support effective partnership with community-led organisations.