The NHS in south west London, alongside it’s partners, has today launched the South West London Investment Fund, with funding available for local projects to benefit local people.
The fund, which is open for applications and trialled last year, aims to support the work of local community and voluntary organisations, as well as drive innovation within the NHS and local authorities.
Last year saw 80 different projects awarded funding with a focus on tackling health inequalities and supporting with winter pressures. This year the focus on health inequalities remain key, as well as bids which can support with workforce challenges in the system as well as the ICP’s other shared priorities.
All organisations, big and small, have the opportunity to bid for funding for innovative projects that could have a big impact on health and wellbeing in South West London. This year the Investment Fund has two parts – with £5m allocated for the Integrated Care Partnership Priorities Fund and £4.3m for the Health Inequalities Fund.
We hope that the fund will continue to really benefit local people as we work in partnership to improve health and wellbeing.”
Sarah Blow, Chief Executive of NHS South West London
Sarah Blow, chief executive of the NHS in South West London, said: “The investment Fund is unique to south west London and reflects the passion and diversity of our local voluntary sector and community. For leaders of the NHS and local authority organisations, partnering with these organisations and groups can be transformative. We hope that the fund will continue to really benefit local people as we work in partnership to improve health and wellbeing, and meet the ambitious priorities we have set out.”
Successful schemes from the 2022-23 Investment Fund included:
Addressing the causes of young people’s mental health issues
Battersea Youth Minds were awarded £92,000 to bring together six established youth organisations in Battersea to address the inequalities and pressures that affect our young people’s mental health, particularly young people from ethnic minorities.
In total they helped 501 young people through 223 drop-in events and 58 therapy sessions in places young people go to and feel safe in.
Delrita Agyapong, chief executive of Caius House Youth, said: “Thanks to the NHS funding we have put on a wide range of activities that promote positive wellbeing along with therapeutic services for young people who really need them!”
New pharmacy scheme to help older people stay ‘winter fit’
The scheme, which is believed to be the first of its kind in London, aimed to benefit from the strong relationships built up by pharmacists with members of their local community, often over many years.
Pharmacists turned regular conversations with people over 65 into health and wellbeing advice ‘interventions’ supporting people to stay well in the colder months
In total, 10,000 ‘interventions’ were given within four weeks and feedback from customers was overwhelming positive, expressing feelings of being ‘listened to’ and supported
Dr Catherine Heffernan, Director of Health Improvement for the NHS in south west London, said: “Pharmacists develop great relationships so the idea of this scheme – the first of its kind in London – is to give people aged 65 and over advice and information or to refer them to services.”
Helping people experiencing homelessness get online to access health services and information
Charity SPEAR London’s scheme improved online skills and confidence to help people with tasks such as using the NHS website and app to request repeat prescriptions or look at their medical records, promote self-care and potentially eases the pressure on urgent and emergency NHS health care.
The project provided drop in sessions organised by SPEAR’s Homeless Health Link service in the community and at their accommodation scheme in Sutton
87% of those completing the course said the project increased their digital skills and 81% felt more confident in accessing health information online
A SPEAR client said: “If I had not signed up for the programme, I would not be able to do anything digitally and would not have done it for the rest of my life.”
How to apply for funding
Find out more including dates for online information sessions to help partners with their applications on our website at South West London Investment Fund – South West London ICS
Applications are open until midnight on Friday 10 November 2023. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email and invited to attend a virtual selection panel. Selection panels for each of the funds will be held in November 2023.
Please email us if you have any queries and find out more on the South West London Investment Fund pages.
