Supporting people to live healthier, happier, more sustainable lives is central to Groundwork’s mission. Health and wellbeing are influenced by the social and physical environments in which we live, and by our economic circumstances. Therefore, creating healthy communities means paying attention to more than just what happens in doctors’ surgeries and hospitals.
Health inequality
Currently, our chances of living a long, active and fulfilled life are heavily determined by where we are born and our financial circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and increased these inequalities, underlining the urgent need for action.
Groundwork tackles health inequalities through strengthening the social infrastructure in local communities, enabling people to make positive choices about their lives. Our work supports people facing physical and mental health challenges in communities with few facilities, limited employment prospects and vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Healthy communities
We help people improve the physical environment in their local areas so that it protects and promotes health, for example through tackling air pollution, reducing vulnerability to fuel poverty, making improvements to green space and increasing connection with nature. We also help people succeed in education and find fulfilling work, which provides a strong foundation for their wellbeing.
Groundwork welcomes the commitment to prevention and social prescribing in the NHS Long Term Plan. However, we would like to see greater ambition on public health, and recognition of the vital role communities play in preventing and addressing ill-health. Investment in public health budgets and neighbourhood services is needed to strengthen the social infrastructure that communities depend on to live healthy and happy lives.
With the right support and encouragement, communities can provide invaluable support networks for people at risk of ill health or living with long-term conditions. Groundwork is proud to work alongside local people to create healthy, inclusive, sustainable neighbourhoods that improve quality of life for every resident.
Find out more
Groundwork UK is a member of the Inequalities in Health Alliance.