On 7 September, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust launched the UK’s first community-powered fund to transform health and wellbeing in Hertfordshire.
The Neighbourhood Transformation Fund brings together communities, health partners, and voluntary, community, and faith organisations. Its goal is to shift care from hospitals into neighbourhoods – focusing on prevention, equity, and inclusion.
One Vision’s Contribution
One Vision has been privileged to collaborate with partners including Samira Ben Omar (Independent Health Consultant), Toby Hyde (Chief Strategy and Collaboration Officer, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals), Social Finance, and Macmillan Cancer Support on the Anchor Project. This model empowers voluntary, community, and faith organisations to tackle health inequalities and uplift those most at risk.
A Collaborative Launch
The launch event brought together key leaders:
· Dr Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England
· Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan
· Catherine Dugmore, Chair of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals
· Matthew Coats CB, CEO of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals
Their commitment to aligning this initiative with the NHS Long Term Plan was warmly received.
This pioneering collaboration will support 2,000 older people locally while testing and scaling innovative projects with charities to address health inequalities. With £10 million in social investment, the fund is not only the first of its kind in the UK but also a beacon of hope for what could be achieved nationally.
Faith in Action
Scripture reminds us:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Ellen White also expressed this vision:
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people… He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143).
For One Vision, this is more than a fund – it is a movement ensuring that no one is left behind and that every individual has access to care, compassion, and dignity.
Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, founder and CEO of One Vision:
“At One Vision, we believe faith must be lived out in service. By partnering with the NHS, Macmillan, Social Finance, and our health and faith leaders, we are putting God’s love into action by caring for the most vulnerable. This partnership proves that when faith and community come together, we can bring healing, hope, and transformation.”
Sharon Platt-McDonald, British Union Conference Director for Community Services, Health, and Women’s Ministries:
“This initiative embodies the gospel commission to serve ‘the least of these’ (Matthew 25:40). As a Church, we are called to bring light into our communities. Working alongside One Vision and partners in health and social care, we see Christ’s mission lived out in practical, life-changing ways.”
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to Toby Hyde and all health and social care leaders for ensuring that marginalised communities remain central to this transformation. We also acknowledge the tireless work of Samira Ben Omar, One Vision trustees, faith and community leaders, VCFSE partners, the One Vision team, and our dedicated volunteers.
This is not just the launch of a fund – it is the beginning of a Spirit-led movement to restore, uplift, and heal.