Southwest London Health Inequalities Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4.3 million (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: £500 - individual grants vary by Place allocation
• Geographic Focus: Six London boroughs (Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Wandsworth)

Contact Details

Email: swl.investmentfund@swlondon.nhs.uk

Website: https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/our-work/investment-fund/

Overview

The Southwest London Health Inequalities Fund is an NHS England-funded grant program established by the South West London Integrated Care System (ICS) to tackle health inequalities across six London boroughs. Launched in 2022, the fund distributes approximately £4.3 million annually to local health and care partners, including NHS organizations, local councils, and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organizations. The fund specifically targets the Core20PLUS5 framework, focusing on the most deprived 20% of the population plus locally identified groups, addressing five key clinical areas. With 75% of funding supporting existing schemes and 25% supporting new initiatives, the fund operates on a place-based allocation model, distributing resources according to local needs assessments across the six boroughs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health Inequalities Fund (£4.3 million for 2023/24, similar anticipated for 2024/25)

• Place-based allocations determined by needs-based formula
• Example: Wandsworth received £161,885.33 for 2023/24
• 75% allocated to existing schemes, 25% to new initiatives
• Projects funded until March 2025
• Applications submitted through online portal

Winter Engagement Fund (managed through VCSE Alliance)

• Small grants of £500
• 90 VCSE organizations funded with £45,000 total
• Focus on winter wellbeing activities

Community Cancer Awareness Fund

• Small grants of £500
• 59 VCSE organizations and 2 NHS projects funded
• £30,500 distributed total

Priority Areas

The fund targets interventions that:

• Address wider determinants of health
• Scale up innovation for deprived areas and vulnerable populations
• Empower communities to improve health and wellbeing
• Target Core20PLUS5 populations (most deprived 20% plus locally identified groups)
• Focus on five clinical areas: maternity, severe mental illness, chronic respiratory disease, early cancer diagnosis, hypertension case-finding

Specific populations supported:

• Adults with learning disabilities
• Over 65s in Caribbean communities
• Traumatized children experiencing domestic abuse
• People experiencing homelessness
• Black maternal health communities

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the six South West London boroughs
• Applicants involved in reviewing applications (conflict of interest)
• Projects without evidence of intervention effectiveness
• Projects without clear health inequalities impact measurement plans

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is administered by the South West London Integrated Care System (ICS), which covers the population of six London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, and Wandsworth.

Decision-Making Structure:

• Place panels conduct initial shortlisting at borough level
• South West London Panel makes final funding selections
• Partnership with Health Innovation Network to manage online application process
• Close collaboration with South West London VCSE Alliance for small grants programs

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Portal:

• All applications must be submitted through the online portal managed by the Health Innovation Network
• Applications can be saved and edited multiple times before submission
• For Health Inequalities Fund: Applications should be made through NHS Place leads due to specific funding requirements
• Direct applications accepted for some programs (e.g., Winter Engagement Fund distributed through VCSE Alliance)

Application Requirements:

• Demonstrate evidence of intervention effectiveness
• Include detailed plan for measuring project outcomes and impact on health inequalities
• Justify focus on specific populations
• Quarterly update commitments required
• First six-month evaluation due July 1 (for projects starting in winter)
• Monthly progress reports to Health Improvement Team

Application Support:

• Information sessions held for potential applicants
• Email support available at swl.investmentfund@swlondon.nhs.uk
• VCSE Alliance actively publicizes funding opportunities to sector

Decision Timeline

2023/24 Round Timeline (as example):

• Applications open: October 2, 2023
• Application deadline: November 10, 2023 (midnight)
• Place panels shortlist: November 13-30, 2023
• South West London Panel final selections: Early December 2023
• Successful applicants notified: Week of December 18, 2023
• Projects commence: Early 2024
• Projects run until: March 2025

Overall timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks from application deadline to notification

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not published. However, evidence from small grants programs shows significant reach:

• Winter Engagement Fund: 90 organizations funded from applications received
• Community Cancer Awareness Fund: 59 VCSE organizations funded
• Total winter activities: 350 events reaching 10,000 residents across South West London with 115 groups funded

The fund states “several VCSE organisations were awarded under the Health Inequalities Fund” with new collaborations forged.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. The fund operates on annual cycles with similar funding anticipated year-on-year (£4.3 million for 2023/24 with similar value for 2024/25), suggesting ongoing opportunities for organizations to apply in subsequent rounds.

Application Success Factors

Evidence-Based Approach:

The fund requires applicants to “demonstrate evidence that your intervention is effective.” Applications must show research or proven track record that the proposed approach works.

Clear Impact Measurement:

Successful applications include “a plan for how you will measure outcomes of your project” and “describe how your project will affect heath inequalities.” Quantifiable outcomes and evaluation frameworks strengthen applications.

Place-Based Focus:

While “we prefer Place-based applications,” cross-borough projects are allowed if they demonstrate clear benefit across multiple areas. Understanding local Place priorities is essential, as each borough has its own allocation and panel review process.

Population Targeting:

Successful applications “justify your focus on population(s)” with clear rationale for why specific groups are targeted. Examples of funded work show focus on specific communities: learning disability groups, Caribbean elders, children affected by domestic abuse, and people experiencing homelessness.

Project Examples Funded:

• SPEAR London: Health and Wellbeing Days for people experiencing homelessness in Wandsworth, Merton, and Richmond
• Baked Bean Charity, Wandsworth: Zumba sessions for adults with learning disabilities
• Togetherness Community Centre, Merton: Caribbean Social Club providing hot lunches for over 65s
• Jigsaw4u: Little Hands Play Therapy for traumatized children aged 5-9 experiencing domestic abuse across SW London

Collaborative Approach:

The fund values partnerships. The VCSE Alliance plays a significant role in publicizing opportunities and managing small grants, suggesting that organizations connected to local infrastructure organizations may have better access to information and support.

Reporting Commitment:

Successful applicants must commit to quarterly updates, six-month evaluations, and monthly progress reports. Demonstrating organizational capacity for monitoring and evaluation is important.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Connect with Place leads: The Health Inequalities Fund applications go through NHS Place leads for each of the six boroughs - establish these relationships before application rounds open
• Join the VCSE Alliance: Active involvement with the South West London VCSE Alliance provides early notification of funding opportunities and access to smaller grant streams
• Evidence and evaluation are critical: Applications without demonstrated evidence of intervention effectiveness and clear measurement plans will not succeed
• Align with Core20PLUS5: Frame your work explicitly around the most deprived 20% of the population and/or the five clinical priority areas
• Think place-based first: While cross-borough work is possible, understanding and aligning with individual borough priorities strengthens applications given the place-based allocation model
• Small grants build relationships: Consider applying for smaller £500 grants through programs like Winter Engagement Fund to establish track record before applying for larger allocations
• Monitor timing closely: Application windows are relatively short (approximately 5 weeks in 2023/24 round), so preparation before rounds open is essential

References

• South West London ICS Investment Fund Overview. https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/our-work/investment-fund/
• Health Inequalities Fund FAQs. South West London ICS. https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/our-work/investment-fund/health-inequalities-fund-faqs/
• “South West London VCSE Alliance – July Update.” Community Action Sutton. https://www.communityactionsutton.org.uk/latest/news/south-west-london-vcse-allianc/
• “Winter Engagement Fund boosts wellbeing in south west London.” NHS South West London Integrated Care Board. https://www.southwestlondon.icb.nhs.uk/news/winter-engagement-fund-boosts-wellbeing-in-south-west-london/
• “Our Impact and Annual Accounts.” SPEAR London. https://www.spearlondon.org/about-us/our-impact-and-annual-accounts/