Healthy Communities Together: Evaluating Cross-sector Partnership Working for Community Health

Introduction

This research evaluates the Healthy Communities Together programme. The programme aims to improve health and wellbeing through partnerships between:

• NHS

• local authorities

• voluntary and community sector

The aim was to understand how organisations working together can reduce health inequalities and support community-led work.

Findings

The research found that strong relationships between partners were central to progress. Trust, shared values and time for collaboration helped organisations work more effectively across sectors. Local partnerships were able to test new ways of working with communities and health services.

The research found that:

• partnerships between the NHS and voluntary sector strengthened local collaboration

• community organisations helped build trust and reach groups facing barriers to services

• flexible funding supported experimentation and locally tailored approaches

• progress often depended on local leadership and commitment across organisations

• systems change takes time and requires sustained investment and support