The social determinants of health (SDH) – the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age – have a significant influence on public health. In England, those living in the 20% most deprived areas bear the greatest burden, with emergency hospital admission rates due to infectious disease almost twice as high as compared to the least deprived (Gov.UK).

These disparities are not inevitable. With the right support, tackling the root causes of poor health can prevent or improve poor health outcomes, increase healthy life expectancy, and create thriving places and communities.

Building on this recognition, L&G announced a £3 million ‘Health Equity’ Fund in 2024 as part of its ongoing partnership with Sir Michael Marmot and the UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE). The Fund will support place-based initiatives tackling the driving forces behind health inequality in the UK.

 

Supporting local initiatives: funding recipients announced

The L&G-IHE partnership already supports place-based improvements in health equity through the Health Equity Network, a 6,000 strong cross-sector forum that shares ideas, challenges, and successes in addressing and improving health equity from across the UK. 

The Health Equity Fund was created in response to the research from the partnership and drew on the expert input of the Network Advisory Board, who reviewed and endorsed final award recommendations.

Funding grants have now been awarded to a range of applicants across the UK. The selected organisations will strategically deploy grants to address the SDH which have an influence on local and national public health outcomes.

“The response from organisations across the country applying for this grant funding was both incredible and depressing. Over 1500 applications were received, reflecting the desperate need caused by government budget cuts to organisations committed to improving lives. Yet the response also fills me with hope, as it shows how many understand that closing widening health gaps starts with improving people’s social circumstances.” Professor Sir Michael Marmot CH, Director, UCL Institute of Health Equity

 

Dorothy Parkes Centre – Good Food Project

We are delighted to announce that our Good Food Project has been selected for funding and as a result, our Community Allotment, Community Fridge, and Community Cooking Classes will be bigger and better in 2026. The Good Food Project will interlink all three initiatives for a year making it a more formal and structured project and enable us to achieve better outcomes and reach more people. We will be delivering ten sets of six session Community Cooking Courses, we will increase the opening hours of our Community Fridge and have more stock, and our Community Allotment will continue throughout 2026 providing volunteer opportunities, lovely fresh, organic produce, and a ‘Garden of Eden’ for schools and community groups to enjoy.

“We are so grateful at Dorothy Parkes Centre to have received a grant via the Health Equity Fund. This will help us to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for people who live and work within Sandwell’s deprived, diverse, and multicultural communities. Our 'Good Food Project' will work towards better accessibility and affordability to nutritious food via our Community Allotment, Community Fridge, and Community Kitchen for a network of people affected by food insecurity.” Robert Bruce, CEO, Dorothy Parkes Centre

As a result of this funding, we will be recruiting a Good Food Project Lead to oversee the whole project throughout 2026. Please visit our Job Vacancies page for further details.