Trust and Health Creation Partnership

A groundbreaking new partnership focused on rebuilding trust in health services and supporting people to stay well through community-led approaches - particularly in communities facing the greatest health inequalities.

Project overview Meet the partners

An animated gif cycling through the logos of Bexley Mencap, QUEERCIRCLE, Juvenis (Milk and Honey), Southwark Senior Association and Mama2Mama.

Colourful illustration of two hands shaking, against a dark pink circle.

At the heart of this collaboration is a commitment to health creation: recognising that health is shaped by communities themselves, not just by clinical care.

A new way of working together

Community-generated health

The South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) in partnership with the South East London Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Strategic Alliance and King’s Health Partners, have launched the 'Trust and Health Creation Partnership'- a groundbreaking new partnership focused on rebuilding trust in health services and supporting people to stay well through community-led approaches—particularly in communities facing the greatest health inequalities within preventative health services. At the heart of this collaboration is a commitment to health creation: recognising that health is shaped by communities themselves, not just by clinical care.

Five grassroots ‘By and For’ VCSE organisations—Bexley Mencap, Juvenis (Milk Honey Bees), Mama2Mama, QUEERCIRCLE and Southwark Senior Social Association—have been selected to co-develop with ICB prevention leads a health creation collaborative. Each VCSE organisation will receive £150,000 over three years to co-design and test approaches that reflect the strengths and realities of the communities they serve, and develop a ‘trust-building’ framework for SEL. Bexley Mencap are specialists in supporting people with learning disabilities, Juvenis (Milk Honey Bees) empower and support Black young women, Mama2Mama provide comprehensive support for babies and young families, QUEERCIRCLE champion health for LGBTQ+ groups and communities through creative health approaches, and Southwark Senior Social Association support Black, African and Caribbean older people to stay socially active and well. The partnership will also be working together to transform health-led prevention services, so they better meet the diverse needs of our local communities.

The partnership will initially be focusing on vaccination and immunisation and the Vital 5 framework (five key health areas essential for preventing disease and promoting long-term health which are: blood pressure, smoking, drinking, weight and mental health). These are the five key health issues that cause the greatest number of early deaths across our communities. We are very keen, however, to look at further preventative areas as the partnership develops.

Community-led

The partnership is rooted in the principle that health and wellbeing are best created and sustained when communities have the power and resources to shape their own health outcomes. This means working with local ‘By and For’ VCSE organisations to co-design preventative approaches that reflect lived experience and community strengths.

Building trust

The project aims to rebuild and strengthen trust between health services and communities experiencing the most significant health inequalities within preventative health services. This includes creating more inclusive, accessible, and culturally competent pathways that better meet people’s needs and expectations.

Systemic change through collaboration

By bringing together grassroots organisations, NHS partners, and system leaders, the partnership strives to develop frameworks and models that challenge existing systems and embed long-term, structural change in how preventative health services are delivered across south east London.

Our partnership:
'By and For' community organisations

Bexley Mencap

Bexley Mencap is a ‘by and for’ organisation rooted in the learning disability community, offering tailored support that promotes independence, inclusion, and wellbeing. Their person-centred approach ensures that individuals with learning disabilities are not only supported but actively involved in shaping the services they receive. From social clubs to self-advocacy, everything they do is grounded in the lived experience of the people they work with.

The organisation is embedded in local life, building strong, ongoing relationships through regular activities that develop confidence, social skills, and self-expression. By working in partnership with families, carers, schools, and health providers, Bexley Mencap helps create a more inclusive Bexley - one where people with learning disabilities are empowered to lead fulfilling lives and shape the systems that impact them.

A man with his back to camera rolling a gold bowling ball down a bowling lane, set against a pink background/.

A young woman using a wooden spoon to stir and cook green vegetables in a cast iron pan. Set against a purple background.

A man in a blue t-shirt about to hit an overhead tennis balls. More tennis players on a different court can be see in the background, The photograph is set against a blue background.

QUEERCIRCLE

QUEERCIRCLE, based in North Greenwich, is a community-led organisation dedicated to supporting the social health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people in London. Born out of the need for safe, inclusive spaces following widespread venue closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, QUEERCIRCLE is shaped by and for the LGBTQIA+ community. Their work is deeply embedded in the community, focusing on systemic change in education, healthcare, and culture, while offering space, resources, and creative health programmes that reflect the lived experiences of those they support.

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At the heart of QUEERCIRCLE’s approach is the belief in mutual exchange, learning, and community-building. They host a wide range of projects—from Grief Tending to Queer Carers and Moving Shame—that use creativity to address emotional and mental health needs. Through regular events, partnerships, and research, they amplify community voices and champion inclusive, holistic support.

A discussion group with people of different ages sat around a table listening intently to an older individual with a cap and white beard. In the background are signs reading 'No queer liberation without trans liberation'; 'proud to be me'; 'trans people have always existed'

Photograph of a hand reaching out towards a printed sheet of paper with various artistic cinema posters. To the right of the paper is text that reads: 'Reflection questions: How do these posters represent masculinity or femininity and/or gender'?

Photograph of a person holding a baby in a carrier on their chest talking to two other young people at an information desk. The desk is situated outside on a sunny day with a tall building in columns in the background.

Juvenis (Milk Honey Bees)

Milk Honey Bees is a Lambeth-based CIC, supported by Juvenis, that creates a safe, expressive space where Black girls and young women can flourish. Putting Healing, Empowerment, and Resilience (H.E.R) first, Milk Honey Bees supports Black girls’ thoughts, feelings, and brilliance to be seen, heard, and understood across family, community, schools, and wider society. Through holistic 1:1 and group projects, they ensure Black girls are empowered to navigate spaces where their voices are often underrepresented.

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Rooted in creativity, celebration, and liberation, Milk Honey Bees amplifies the visibility and voice of Black girls across all areas of life. They work to open doors that are too often closed to Black girls, ensuring they can bring both their Blackness and girlhood to the forefront. By combining Juvenis’ deep local ties with Milk Honey Bees’ creative, culturally grounded approach, this collaboration creates transformative spaces where Black young women and girls can thrive.

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A photograph of a group of Black young women huddled in a circle looking down into the camera, with a tree in the background above their heads.

A close-up photograph of a person wearing white trainers and jeans standing on artwork made from cut-out words and photos from magazines.

A group of Black young women in school uniform with their backs to the camera looking at pieces of paper covered with post-it notes on a mirror.

Mama2Mama

Mama2Mama is a baby bank based in Woolwich that is led by and for local families, particularly those experiencing economic hardship. Rooted in community connection, they provide essential baby items alongside holistic support services, ensuring that the experiences and voices of parents and carers guide the development of their work.

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Their approach is grounded in trust, lived experience, and mutual support. Mama2Mama promotes a circular economy by accepting and distributing pre-loved items within the community, preventing unnecessary waste. They also offer community-focused activities that create space for families to build relationships, confidence, and resilience. By working in partnership with local services, they help reduce isolation, increase access to support, and empower families to shape a more inclusive and caring local system.

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A photograph of teddies, baby clothes and nappies piled together to represent the items available in a baby bank.

Two people holding up a small baby's dress and smiling at the camera.

A person in glasses wearing black gloves organising a large collection of baby clothes on a counter. In the background are shelves with boxes.

Southwark Senior Social Association

Southwark Senior Social Association is a consortium, bringing together key partners with complementary expertise to deliver a collaborative, community-driven approach to health and well-being in Southwark’s Black African and Caribbean communities.

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Deeply rooted in the local community, the organisation provides tailored support to help people stay active, connected, and well in later life. This includes creating spaces where older residents can build friendships, share experiences, and shape the services that matter to them. Their approach centres on trust, participation, and a strong sense of belonging. Through regular social clubs, wellness activities, and advocacy support, Southwark Senior Social Association ensures that older people have opportunities to thrive, contribute, and access the support they need. By working in partnership with local organisations, families, and care providers, they champion a community-led approach to ageing that is inclusive, respectful, and empowering.

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Southwark Senior Social Assocation, which is a multicoloured leaf against a white background.

A group of Black and global majority older women in colourful clothing smiling for the camera. The photo is set against a light yellow backround.

Two elderly women from different ethnic backgrounds laughing together, against a light yellow background.

Follow our journey

This is a genuine effort by the south east London healthcare system to partner with 'By and For' VCSEs, building a long term and equitable partnership. There is a real commitment to working together to develop ways to reduce health inequalities, starting with supporting SEL integrated Care System (ICS) to re-imagine prevention and health creation, with a focus on being more community-led, and built on trust. Our vision is to increase local people's trust and confidence in the preventative care our system provides by fostering wellness through community-powered support and transforming health-led prevention services.

The partnership is excited to work collaboratively to design and trial approaches grounded in the lived experiences and strengths of local communities, while developing a framework that supports building trust across south east London.

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Join our community Learn how the partnership was formed