#NarrowingTheGapMSE
Kevin Garrod Anchor programme manager at Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust
Organisations whether small or large, private, public or voluntary have always played a role in our communities as places where we work, socialise and learn. They not only provide financial security to their workforce but also generate wealth in their communities.
Across the health and care landscape we are strengthening our approach to narrowing the gap through an Anchor programme. The programme helps to realise the impact we as health and care organisation can have on our own communities to help bring positive change.
What is an Anchor institution?
Anchor institutions are large organisations with large estates and resources, like the NHS, that are unlikely to move and have a significant stake in their local area.
The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (MSEICS) is made up of these key Anchor institutions, who are able to change and shape our communities, creating opportunities in education, employment, housing and growth. We are able to support our community’s health and wellbeing and tackle health inequalities, through procurement, training, employment and professional development.
In mid and south Essex key anchor institutions include the NHS and partner health and care organisations, local councils and the voluntary and education sector. They are investing back into communities to help address inequalities, reduce our environmental impact and create exciting and innovative employment, volunteering, internship and network opportunities for the people we serve.
Action in our communities
Existing projects in our communities include helping people living in some of the most deprived areas of Southend and Basildon.
Through the Anchor Programme, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is working closely with partners such as Southend Borough Council, A Better Start Southend, South Essex Community Hub and Generation Medics to create new opportunities for local people to enter employment within the health sector in Southend.
The programme creates routes into employment and encourages social mobility through volunteering, CV and application writing and training, as well as inspiring the next generation to believe they can succeed no matter which path they choose.
It is funded by the Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund.
See how the Anchor Programme works: https://youtu.be/0Ay87ghmg98]
Read about what we have achieved as Anchor Institutions in 2021/22
Anchor Institutes performance report for 2021 /2022
Click here to learn more about the anchor programme and here for what we are doing to address inequality in mid and south Essex
Grants to help reduce health inequalities
Microgrants
If you are part of a community of voluntary organisation, you apply for a new micro grant programme to help address health inequalities and the wider determinants of health within your local area.
Find out MoreEssex Community Foundation Grant
There’s funding available, from the Essex Community Foundation (ECF), to support marginalised communities and address health inequalities for people who have mental health problems. If you are a charity community group working within the mid and south Essex footprint.
Find out moreOther blogs from our #NarrowingTheGapMSE campaign