Healthier communities lead to reduced demand on services and longer healthy lifespans.
For obvious reasons, one of the key pillars of the NHS 10-Year Plan is prevention. But prevention doesn’t work from top-down, it needs to be community-driven.
With peer support, neighbourly action and accessible services designed with people, prevention sticks.
Here are some real life examples.
- Can Do Bristol shows that residents are ready to help when given the opportunity. Thousands of residents have stepped up to volunteer. Strengthening health from the ground up.
- Devon Connect surfaces everyday opportunities for connection. Like walking groups, peer-led wellbeing sessions and local clubs. These “small things” build social relationships, a key step towards reduction on clinical services.
- Living Well Warrington brings digital signposting together with in-person Talking Points and local outreach. Meaning people can find local groups, peer networks and services that keep them connected and healthier.
How can a platform help?
Actionable tip:
Choose one key area from your ICB’s prevention strategy, say loneliness or smoking. Identify three existing community groups already tackling it and help surface their offers through a shared platform or hub.