News from the London Health Commission
14 February 2008

"Community action for health and well-being"
New London Health Commission 2008 Awards launched
13th February 2008 by Jennette Arnold, AM

Yesterday saw the launch of the London Health Commission Awards. These biennial Awards aim to recognise and reward achievement in tackling health inequalities across London. The 2008 LHC Awards focus on 'Community Action for Health and Well-being'. London's Voluntary and community groups working to improve health and well-being have until 30th April to apply. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 2 July 2008.

Community groups were involved in the development of the Awards and the LHC has taken their advice in designing the process, the award categories and the prizes. Winning organisations will receive £1000, a promotional film about themselves made to their requirements, training courses, meeting and exhibition space, photography and web site support.

Groups with an annual turnover of less than £100, 000 can apply for awards in six categories.

• Cohesive communities - rewards activities that bring different communities or people together in achieving a common goal
• Mental well-being - rewards activities that improves people's confidence in themselves or reduces their levels of stress, worry or depression
• Partnership achievement with primary care - rewards activities that bring communities together to work with doctors, dentists, district nurses, public health teams or other primary care workers
• Partnership achievement with local government - rewards activities that bring communities together to work with local councils
• Partnership achievement with business/private sector - rewards activities that bring communities together to work with businesses such as shops, newspapers or other companies based in their area
• Community campaigning and advocacy - rewards activity that has raised awareness of an issue and brought it to the attention of a wider audience.

The Awards aim to celebrate the contribution made by groups working on a wide range of projects benefiting health and well-being and to highlight partnership working between community organisations, business and the public sector.

Jennette Arnold, AM London Health Commission (LHC) Chair, Alex Bax Senior Policy Advisor - Health and Sustainable Development to the Mayor of London and Elizabeth Manero, Director of Health Link and chair of the LHC Community Development Forum addressed a reception attended by over 150 people from community groups, public and business sector representatives in City Hall's London Living Room.

Groups will have until 30th April to apply. Shortlisting and judging take place during May and June. London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and borough Councils for Voluntary Service will host support surgeries where groups can find out more about the awards and how to apply. Winning groups will be presented with their awards at a gala dinner on 2 July 2008.

In launching the Awards Jennette Arnold, AM London Health Commission Chair said, "The London Health Commission Awards aim to celebrate the contribution made by groups working on a wide range of projects benefiting health and well-being and to highlight partnership working between community organisations, business and the public sector. This year we want to showcase the amazing contribution made by London's voluntary and community groups. These groups make a huge difference to London for their own communities and everyone in the capital. Our Awards will give these groups the opportunity to showcase their work in London and beyond".

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said, "The London Health Commission's new awards scheme is an excellent way of recognising pioneering initiatives that address health inequalities, particularly in relation to London's diverse communities. The positive work of small community health action groups often goes unnoticed, but these awards will highlight just how valuable this support is.

"Partnership work with London's voluntary and community organisations has been a priority of my office for the last eight years and was the first step when developing the Health Inequalities Strategy for London. I wish the London Health Commission and each of the community groups involved every success with the Awards Scheme and their continuing work to improve the health and well-being of Londoners."

The LHC's Community Development Forum has led the development of this year's awards. Its Chair, Elizabeth Manero - Director of Health Link said - "Small community groups where people help and support each other are the lifeblood of their communities. A community group offering refugees and asylum seekers somewhere to go and talk about their experiences helps overcome their social isolation and improve their health and well-being. A group which offers disabled people the chance to learn skills that improve their chances of getting a job is also improving their chances of good health. The immeasurable benefit that such groups bring to the health and well-being of the people they support is often unseen and unsung. The new Awards Scheme being launched by the London Health Commission is setting out to change that by showcasing some of this great work - helping recognise these invisible achievements as the valuable assets for health, that they really are."

Elizabeth Balgobin Chief Executive, London Voluntary Service Council said, "LVSC welcomes the introduction of these awards. Health is not only about the medical but also about the social interaction and care that people receive and this is what the voluntary and community sector does so well. It is wonderful that these awards will bring the recognition of the part small organisations play to the rest of London. Their interventions mean that many people are supported to receive health care, sometimes for the first time, and enabled to make the most of the health care available. LVSC is pleased to support these awards."

Mary Reilly, Chair of the London Development Agency and LHC Commissioner "The LDA is delighted to support the London Health Commission Awards 2008 -'Community Action for Health'. The voluntary and community sector makes a huge contribution to the lives of Londoners, providing a range of services and support to the capital's diverse communities. There are over 40,000 voluntary and community groups in London and the LDA is working with the sector to deliver economic development and regeneration for London. Our support for these awards is part of our ongoing commitment to working with this sector to deliver healthier, greener, safer communities for London."

Dorothy Newton MBE - London Director, The Scarman Trust
"Over the last 10 years we have met hundreds of Can Doers - Londoners with the first-hand knowledge and understanding of the issues and problems in their communities, and the passion and persistence to work collaboratively to make things better.
We welcome the London Health Commission Awards for Community Action for Health and Well-being, and actively encourage small community projects to apply. This will not only raise the profile of their own work, but also of all those at the grassroots making life healthier and better in their communities."

The application form and guidance will be available on the LHC web site www.londonshealth.gov.uk/lhcawards.htm from Thursday 14th February 2008.

Ends.

Notes to editors
1. The London Health Commission is a unique strategic partnership that is working to improve the health and well-being of all Londoners and to reduce inequalities in health. It promotes a co-ordinated approach to action on the factors that affect health in London by influencing policy makers and practitioners.
2. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone established the Commission in October 2000 to assist him in ensuring that other London-wide strategies support the health of Londoners. For more information visit www.londonshealth.gov.uk
3. LHC Awards application pack will be available from Thursday 14th February 2008. www.londonshealth.gov.uk/lhcawards.htm
4. Photographs from the Awards launch reception are available. Contact Gus Wilson, tel 020 7983 4120 or email gus.Wilson@london.gov.uk
5. Voluntary and community groups in any of the 33 London boroughs with a turnover of less than £100,000 are eligible to apply.
6. Supporters of the LHC Awards 2008 are Mayor of London, London Regional Public Health Group/ Department of Health, London Food, Greater London Authority, Arts Council England, London, London Metropolitan University, Transport for London, Metropolitan Police Authority, London Health Observatory, London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and members of the LHC Community Development Forum.
7. LVSC brings London voluntary and community sector organisations together to learn and share best practice and to create a co-ordinated voice to influence policy makers.We provide up-to-date information on management and funding, advice and support for voluntary and community groups, a library and information service, practical publications and short courses for those working in the sector. www.lvsc.org.uk/ tel 020 7700 8107
8. In July 2006 the London Health Commission published "London and Londoners: Making the links for health" a resource for community groups showing the London organisations with an influence on health and well-being poster in poster form. The poster has been updated for the Awards. The poster is available at www.londonshealth.gov.uk/lhcawards.htm/ or call Simone Boothe, LHC Administrator on 020 7983 4119 for a hard copy.

For press and media queries contact:

Development & Communications Manager
Gus Wilson
Tel: 020 7983 4120
Email: gus.wilson@london.gov.uk

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