What comes next?

Our focus is on consolidating progress, learning from experience, and continuing to drive momentum.

We now have a deeper understanding of the factors influencing health and wellbeing in Oxfordshire’s most disadvantaged areas with input from those with lived experience.

Community insight profiles grant funding highlights, over £350k distribued to 14 areas in the county, 128 projects, 33 projects for children and young people, 29 projects for all residents, 17 projects supporting mental health, homelessness, poverty, asylum seekers and those from a minoritised ethnic group and 27 projects for families and parents.

We must commit to a sustained financial commitment

Community grants and funding opportunities must continue to be identified and directed towards projects that address the specific health and wellbeing priorities in local communities. As a partnership, it is our responsibility to communities across the county to ensure this continues.

Avoiding disinvestment in established initiatives will ensure continuity, and scaling up proven approaches will maximise their reach and benefit. 

A commitment to Marmot recommendations

All partners must commit to the implementation of the Marmot recommendations as these are developed and published. This will require a collaborative approach across the system, ensuring the principles of equity, prevention and community empowerment are embedded at every level. By prioritising the Marmot recommendations, we will ensure that our efforts to tackle health inequalities are informed by robust evidence and best practice, with resources directed where they are needed most. 

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We must support communities to lead from the front

The community insight profile development toolkit provides local communities with everything they need to replicate this approach in a way that's relevant for local areas. An interactive dashboard provides accessible, updateable place-based data. 

Each community insight profile leads to a tailored action plan that has been designed with input from local partners to respond to the priorities identified by local people. That trust, through panels and steering groups helps maintain longevity and ownership.

Read more about the profiles

The importance of academic evaluation

The community health development officer programme funded by Oxfordshire County Council and the NHS BOB ICB funded Well Together programme exemplify the commitment to delivering locally tailored initiatives that strengthen social connections and address the wider determinants of health. Their evaluation provides valuable insight into what works well and where further support is needed. 

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Emerging themes and challenges

Early findings highlight the positive influence of these initiatives on social connectedness and mental wellbeing. But there are structural challenges. Short funding cycles and rapid evaluation requirements have shaped how community groups plan and deliver services, often under significant time pressure. 

Policy implications

The regular presence of embedded roles such as community health development officers and Well Together staff has been pivotal in building trust and maintaining engagement, highlighting the need for continuity and longer term funding streams.

These priorities directly align with Marmot principles, which advocate for reducing inequities through upstream investment, community empowerment, and the creation of supportive environments.

"Policy-makers must prioritise funding models that support multi-year commitments, enabling organisations to plan strategically, cultivate lasting relationships, and respond to evolving community needs."
Ansaf Azhar
Ansaf Azhar

Hear from some of our partners

An opportunity for change

Local government reorganisation (LGR) presents a significant opportunity to reimagine how services are delivered and to strengthen the collective response to health inequalities in Oxfordshire. Rather than viewing organisational change as a challenge or disruption, partners should see it as a chance to enhance integration, streamline processes, and ensure that resources are more effectively targeted to those who need them most. 

More on local government reorganisation