The London Health Commission (LHC) has helped to secure project funding for a second phase of the Skilled for Health programme in London. Skilled for Health is the national strategy for health improvement and learning skills led jointly by the DH, the DfES, and the health and learning charity ContinYou. The programme aims to support adults with Skills for Life needs, and combines embedded literacy and numeracy learning with information and skills on healthy living and accessing health services. It is an integral part of both Choosing Health and Skills for Life strategies.

Libraries in five London boroughs will deliver the recently produced Skilled for Health learning materials to participants with health and learning needs in a variety of different settings. They will also develop and appraise the role of the sector in offering Skilled for Health outreach, learner recruitment/engagement, referral points, and make recommendations for national rollout.

The project has been developed in partnership by the LHC, Museums, Libraries & Archives London (MLA London) and London Libraries Development Agency (LLDA) and will run for 12 months. The Skilled for Health project will be managed by MLA London and integrated with its Libraries4Learning programme, funded by the London Development Agency and European Social Fund. MLA London will also be recruiting a Skilled for Health development worker to promote and support the work.
Catherine Max, London Works for Better Health Programme Manager at the LHC (until 2 February), said: "Skilled for Health will enable Londoners from the most disadvantaged communities to acquire the life skills they need to be active citizens and take charge of their own health. It is through work like this that the LHC and its partner organisations are supporting people to improve their quality of life and help reduce health inequalities in London."

The LHC will be represented on the steering group and is contributing significant funding to a high quality evaluation that will ensure the work focuses on improving health equity. The project will feed into the evidence base of the Mayor's forthcoming Health Inequalities Strategy.

For more information please contact:

Margaret Siudek
Skills for Life Manager
MLA London

Tel. 020 7549 1700
Email margaret.siudek@mlalondon.org.uk

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