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Multiple long-term conditions

New neighbourhood scheme in Tulse Hill gets go-ahead

2 September 2020
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3 min read

We have partnered with High Trees Community Development Trust, a community organisation based in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, to deliver a new neighbourhood scheme. Our three-year commitment will allow us to support programmes to improve the social factors that can influence people’s health.

 

Our place-based approach

We believe where you live influences your health – which is why we focus on contained geographies, testing whole-system solutions to health challenges facing local communities. This is part of our place-based approach to tackling health inequalities in our home in South London.

Neighbourhood schemes are one of the ways we do this. By collaborating with anchor organisations rooted in communities, we aim to build on their local knowledge and connect people towards a common goal of better health for all.

We know that the cards can be stacked against people in certain areas, and employment can be a particular challenge for those living in Tulse Hill. By working with community assets, such as High Trees Community Development Trust, we can act on the social factors that drive health inequalities.

Michael Parsons Portfolio Manager for multiple long-term conditions

The demographics of Tulse Hill mean that it was a clear choice for our next neighbourhood scheme: it is more diverse, more densely populated, and younger than either London or Lambeth as a whole. We also know that average income in the area is lower than the borough average, and this combination of factors means that it is at risk of stark health inequalities.

Michael Parsons, Portfolio Manager at the Charity explains: “we know that the cards can be stacked against people in certain areas, and employment can be a particular challenge for those living in Tulse Hill. By working with community assets, such as High Trees Community Development Trust, we can act on the social factors that drive health inequalities.”

 

Local action to improve health

Our work with High Trees will focus on three broad themes: supporting community organising, building High Trees’ capacity to develop partnerships with other local organisations and providing employment and welfare support programmes to working-age adults living in Tulse Hill.

In the first year, we will support High Trees to strengthen local initiatives and expand their employment and welfare advice work. This will include using the skills in their Community Action team to build the capacity of informal and formal smaller local initiatives, building on their work to tackle digital exclusion during lockdown to explore scalable longer term solutions and connecting with Government employment initiatives, such as sector-based work academies.

We are delighted to receive this incredible support at such an important time for our neighbourhood. This will allow us to do even more to help the individuals in Tulse Hill who need it most, expand our services across employment, welfare and community action and ensure individuals have access to vital services on their doorstep.

Anna Coffey and Grace English High Trees' co-CEOs

Neighbourhood schemes have been a key part of how we have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because community organisations can help us learn who has been most impacted by the health and economic effects of the pandemic, and how we can best support them.

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