A pioneering initiative in East Surrey is reshaping how communities and the NHS work together to improve health and wellbeing- delivering on the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan and the recently published 10 Year Health Plan for England, Fit for the Future. The evaluation of the Growing Health Together (GHT) programme, conducted by the Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent, reveals how a place-based, community-led approach to health is delivering tangible benefits for individuals, communities, and the health system.
Hosted by Alliance for Better Care CIC GP Federation and supported by NHS Surrey Heartlands, GHT brings together NHS professionals, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, and community members to co-create solutions that improve health, reduce inequalities, and promote sustainability.
Unlike traditional healthcare models that focus on treating illness, GHT supports people to live healthier lives by focussing on the everyday things that can also affect their health such as: social connection, environment and access to services. It operates across all five Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in East Surrey, with each area tailoring its activities to local needs and resources.
The evaluation, funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) and supported by Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS), focused on three East Surrey PCNs—Horley, Redhill Phoenix, and South Tandridge—as case study sites.
Key findings include:
The golden thread of connection: The central theme emerging from the evaluation was the importance of connection—between people, organisations, and communities. This “golden thread” was identified as the key active ingredient underpinning the success of GHT.
Community ownership and empowerment: Initiatives supported by GHT were typically conceived and led by local residents, leading to a strong sense of ownership. Participants reported increased confidence, reduced isolation, and improved mental and physical health.
Health equity and inclusion: While GHT successfully engaged diverse groups, including ethnic minorities and older adults, the evaluation also highlighted areas for improvement, such as better engagement with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.
Innovative GP involvement: GPs played a central role in GHT, not only as clinical leaders but as community connectors. Their involvement helped build trust, improve access to care, and shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
System-level impact: GHT fostered stronger relationships between the NHS, local authorities, and voluntary sector organisations. It also contributed to reduced demand on GP services and improved coordination of care.
A blueprint for neighbourhood health and prevention
As Integrated Care Systems across the UK seek to tackle health inequalities and improve population health, the GHT model offers a compelling blueprint exemplifying the NHS’s new direction as outlined in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan, which prioritises neighbourhood-based, preventative care. GHT’s community-led model mirrors the plan’s vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service—where care is delivered locally, focusing on prevention rather than treatment. By empowering communities and integrating services, GHT is already delivering the kind of personalised, proactive care the NHS now aims to scale nationally.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Dr Gillian Orrow, GHT Co-Founder, said:
"Growing Health Together is about working with partners, including local people and places, to co-create conditions for health and wellbeing for all. It’s about listening, connecting and acting together. This evaluation shows that when we do that, we can transform not just services - but lives."
Dr Sarah Hotham, GHT Principal Investigator, said:
"This evaluation of Growing Health Together provides evidence that place-based, community-led approaches can play a pivotal role in tackling health inequalities and supporting NHS sustainability. The findings highlight the value of investing in strong local partnerships and community engagement. Crucially, GHT shows that when systems enable connection, trust, and collaboration at the neighbourhood level, they create the conditions for healthier, more resilient populations. As Integrated Care Systems evolve, the GHT model offers a practical and scalable framework for embedding health creation into local policy and practice.”
Looking ahead: scaling up the GHT model ARC KSS will be supporting the next phase of Growing Health Together. Funding has been secured to contribute towards knowledge sharing and skills training with other GPs, with a view to seeding the model in new areas and applying for funding to evaluate impact and scalability in a new area.
Download the GHT evaluation report here
Download the GHT executive summary here
Download the GHT case study here
