Walking Alongside Communities: A Commitment to Partnership and Change on Black Health Inequalities - test

The Power of Community-Led Solutions

When we talk about tackling deep-rooted issues like health inequities, we must acknowledge that those closest to the challenges are often those best positioned to create effective solutions. This isn't just aspirational thinking—it's a principle we've seen proven time and again.

In Lambeth, for instance, residents facing significant challenges around mental health, housing instability and employment barriers created a groundbreaking partnership. Rather than imposing external solutions, with our support the Black Thrive project centred Black residents' voices, bringing them together with grassroots organisations and service providers to co-design interventions that addressed systemic barriers to wellbeing.

What made their approach transformative was their holistic vision. They didn't just create traditional job placement programmes —they engaged directly with employers to dismantle biased hiring practices, opening pathways to meaningful, long-term employment. They tackled housing and healthcare challenges by consistently centring the experiences of those most affected. What began as a project has evolved into a movement that continues to empower individuals and build community resilience.

This epitomises our core belief at The National Lottery Community Fund: real change begins with community. Our strategy, "It Starts with Community," is built on trusting and empowering those with lived experience. We recognise that people experiencing poverty, inequality, or discrimination often come up with the most innovative solutions to these challenges. Our role is to stand beside them, providing resources and support while respecting the power they have to shape their futures.

Addressing Health Inequities: A Commitment to Justice

The stark reality of health inequities in the UK demands urgent and sustained action. The statistics are sobering: Black babies are more than twice as likely to be stillborn as White babies. Black adults face disproportionately high rates of hypertension and stroke at younger ages than their White counterparts. These outcomes aren't random—they stem from systemic barriers including unequal healthcare access, discrimination within services, and the profound impact of racism on physical and mental wellbeing.

These health inequities don't exist in isolation. They're inextricably linked to broader social determinants: poverty, housing instability, and limited opportunities. Addressing these requires us to be bold in challenging systems that perpetuate injustice.