Cornwall’s Community Gateway receives 5-year funding boost from NHS Integrated Care Board
Published on 16 April 2024 11:16 AM
Cornwall’s Community Gateway receives 5-year funding boost from NHS Integrated Care Board
Award-winning voluntary sector partnership provides vital community support for people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
An award-winning partnership of more than 50 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations providing community support to people in Cornwall, has received funding for a further five years.
The Community Gateway, launched in November 2022, to support people through a challenging winter - in response to the cost-of-living crisis and increased pressures across the health and care system in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The service provides a dedicated helpline available to everyone and is open 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year – including Christmas Day.
The unique partnership of more than 50 VCSE organisations, including Age UK Cornwall, Volunteer Cornwall, CHAOS Group, Pentreath, Humans Cornwall and Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) has received a funding boost from NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, to enable the service to continue for another five years.
The Community Gateway provides a ‘gateway to independence’, working with people to identify their needs and put appropriate packages of support in place.
Between November 2022 and October 2023, the Gateway received over 48,000 calls and emails and provided almost 7,000 support plans, this link highlights the positive impact the Community Gateway has had across Cornwall.
The Gateway creates personalised plans that prevent hospital admissions, reduce social isolation, and improve wellbeing. It also connects people to mental health support, community activities, and a wide range of support through a network of more than 40 community hubs that provide a person-centred approach, nutritious food, and warm spaces.
This collaborative approach to how health and care services are provided in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly received the ‘Collaborative Working’ prize in the South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards 2023.
Tracey Roose, Chief Executive, Age UK Cornwall said, “We are delighted to host the Community Gateway on behalf of our partners and colleagues. Our collective teams have worked tirelessly to support over 48,000 people in the first year of Gateway being open and the demand is increasing. This 5-year funding award will allow us to collectively increase our reach and develop our inclusive approach to providing a simple point of access for anyone wanting information, seeking support, and exploring what’s available in their local community or hub. "
Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: “Community Gateway has played an incredible role in supporting our local residents to get the support they need to stay independent and in their own homes. I love to hear stories about the impact it has on people whether it be James who was helped with transport to appointments after a stroke, Margaret who had food shopping after a hospital stay or Bill who lost his wife and was introduced to his local community hub. This great collaborative work has been recognised with a regional award and I am delighted that we will continue funding it for a further 5 years.”
This funding award follows the £ 5 million contract awarded to VCSE organisations in 2023 to offer targeted mental health support to people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly [ER1].
People can access the Community Gateway by telephone at 01872 266383 or via email at welcome@kernowgateway.org.uk
Visit the website at: www.cornwallvsf.org/communitygateway
View and download the new Community Gateway assets at: Community Gateway assets | Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (cornwallvsf.org)
Further information:
The Community Gateway
Access the Community Gateway by telephone at 01872 266383 or via email at welcome@kernowgateway.org.uk
Visit the website at: www.cornwallvsf.org/communitygateway
The Gateway is open from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year – including Christmas Day.
Community Hub Network
Community hubs are places that provide support and resources for their communities. Hubs rely on organisations working together to identify the best support available for people at a local level. Community Hubs - Volunteer Cornwall
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS Integrated Care Board