Southwest London Health Inequalities Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £4.3 million
• 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 programme established by the South West London Integrated Care System (ICS) to tackle health inequalities across six London boroughs. The fund distributes approximately £4.3 million annually to local health and care partners, including NHS organisations, local councils, and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. 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 Programmes

Health Inequalities Fund (£4.3 million annual allocation)

• Place-based allocations determined by needs-based formula
• Example: Wandsworth received £161,885.33 in a recent round
• 75% allocated to existing schemes, 25% to new initiatives
• Projects typically funded for approximately one year
• Applications submitted through online portal

Winter Engagement Fund (managed through VCSE Alliance)

• Small grants of £500
• 90 VCSE organisations funded with £45,000 total in one round
• Focus on winter wellbeing activities

Community Cancer Awareness Fund

• Small grants of £500
• 59 VCSE organisations and 2 NHS projects funded in one round
• £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
• Traumatised 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 programmes

How to Apply to Southwest London Health Inequalities Fund

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 programmes (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 typically due approximately six months after project start
• 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 publicises funding opportunities to sector

Decision Timeline

Typical Application Round Timeline:

• Applications typically open in early October
• Application deadline approximately 5 weeks after opening
• Place panels shortlist during mid-to-late November
• South West London Panel final selections in early December
• Successful applicants notified in mid-December
• Projects commence in early new year
• Projects typically run for approximately one year

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

Success Rates

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

• Winter Engagement Fund: 90 organisations funded from applications received
• Community Cancer Awareness Fund: 59 VCSE organisations 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 ongoing opportunities for organisations 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 traumatised children aged 5-9 experiencing domestic abuse across SW London

Collaborative Approach:

The fund values partnerships. The VCSE Alliance plays a significant role in publicising opportunities and managing small grants, suggesting that organisations connected to local infrastructure organisations 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 organisational 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 programmes like Winter Engagement Fund to establish track record before applying for larger allocations
• Monitor timing closely: Application windows are relatively short (approximately 5 weeks), so preparation before rounds open is essential

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• People's Health Trust
• Association Of Nhs Charities
• Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Nhs Charity
• London Catalyst
• Maudsley Charity
• The Livewell Foundation
• Peter Sowerby Foundation
• Fast Track Cities London
• Peter Harrison Foundation
• Man Group Plc Charitable Trust

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/