New neighbourhood scheme in Tulse Hill gets go-ahead

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.

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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