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  1. Anchor Connect
  2. Anchor innovation: Social Spark

Anchor Programme – Supporting our communities

At Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT), we believe healthcare is about more than treating illness. It’s also about helping our communities to thrive.

As one of the largest employers and service providers in the area, we’re proud to be an “anchor institution”. This means we’re a stable organisation, closely linked to the wellbeing of the people we serve. We use our staff, buildings, spending, and partnerships to support wider issues that affect health, such as jobs, housing, education, and the environment. By working in this way, we aim to tackle the root causes of health inequalities and improve lives across mid and south Essex.

Our Anchor work focuses on five key areas:

  1. Creating inclusive job opportunities.
  2. Encouraging our suppliers to invest in local communities.
  3. Opening up our land and buildings for community use.
  4. Protecting the environment.
  5. Leading and working in partnership with others.

Fit for the Future the 10-year health plan made some important commitments that relate to Anchor

The NHS’s 10-Year Plan highlights the importance of anchor institutions. National goals include:

  • Recruiting more local people, especially those who are unemployed or not currently working.
  • Expanding apprenticeships and training so people can earn while they learn.
  • Publishing data on recruitment by background, gender, and ethnicity to track progress.
  • Funding programmes to help young people and those from deprived areas into healthcare careers.
  • Encouraging NHS providers to support wider social and economic goals through procurement and employment.

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Widening Access Demonstrator

As part of a national programme to tackle health inequalities, Southend, Basildon and Thurrock have received funding to help people from deprived areas access training and job opportunities in health and care.

Through Anchor Connect and the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, we’re supporting 100 local people who’ve struggled to find work, helping them gain skills, build confidence, and move closer to employment.

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The Support Hub at Broomfield Hospital

Support hub logoThe Support Hub is a new space at Broomfield Hospital that helps people find the support they need to stay healthy and well. It is open to patients, visitors and staff. 

The Hub uses Essex Frontline, a simple online tool where you can search for local services and ask for a call‑back or referral. It helps you find the right support quickly and easily.

To find out more visit Anchor innovation: Social Spark.

Last published

Want to know more?

Check out our other pages to find out what we're doing:

 

Reports

You can find out about current and future projects and the effect the programme has had on our Trust, our partners and the community by reading our reports on the Publications and report  page.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or want to receive accessible copies of our reports, email us at mse.anchor@nhs.net.