A programme helping local people gain work and skills in healthcare has won a regional award and is in the running for a national award after it was nominated by local Members of Parliament.
The Anchor Ambition programme, run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, has won the regional Health Equalities prize in the NHS Parliamentary Awards, meaning it will go through to the national final.
The NHS Parliamentary Awards are an annual event where MPs nominate local teams and individuals from across the NHS in a variety of categories. Anchor Ambition is now up for the national award, which will be announced at a ceremony in Westminster on 5 July, the same day as the NHS’s 75th birthday.
The programme provides training, skills and help for eligible local people applying to NHS and healthcare jobs. Participants receive dedicated intensive support designed to help them secure work that works for them.
The scheme has been particularly successful in helping those not traditionally supported by traditional recruitment programmes, including older workers, those with a disability, and lone parents.
Anchor Ambition first began in Southend, where during its first year of operation it supported 166 people into work, helping 625 in total. The programme has since expanded to benefit communities across mid and south Essex.
We’re proud to have been nominated by our local MPs, recognising how successful Anchor Ambition has been in supporting our local communities to gain skills or employment. I want to thank all the partners we have worked with, and fingers crossed for the national award.”
Charlotte Williams, Chief Strategy and Improvement Officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
The scheme received its regional prize following nominations by local MPs Sir James Duddridge, Rebecca Harris, and Priti Patel.
Congratulations to Anchor Ambition, who have improved the lives of so many residents across Southend and into employment in the local NHS and healthcare sector. The NHS Parliamentary Award is a small recognition of the vital work that they and others at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust carry out in support of the local community.”
Sir James Duddridge KCMG, MP for Rochford and Southend East
I am delighted that the Anchor Ambition programme run by the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the Health Equalities prize in this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards. This is an excellent scheme providing vital support to those looking for the right job in the NHS and I would like to wish the team the very best of luck in the national final.”
Priti Patel, MP for Witham
Health and care organisations are one of the biggest employers locally and play a significant role in their local community’s economic and social development. Partners from across our system have been exploring how they can make broader commitments to support local wellbeing, as an employer, procurer or advocate for carbon reduction.
Our Mid and South Essex ICS Anchor programme has been working to
- Support employment in health and social care.
- Nurture young people and families.
- Join forces with communities and partner organisations.
- Support organisations in finding opportunities to increase social value.
- Identifying ways to boost wider determinants of health.
Read our anchor impact report to find out about other ways health and care services are contributing to their local communities economic and social development