Phase one of the Widening Participation project was all about bringing on board organisations run by and for the community, making sure the right voices were heard. Together, they identified the main barriers getting in the way of fair access to jobs in health and care in south east London, setting the stage for change.
Specialist VCSEs and communities co-created tailored solutions to address identified barriers, organised into five key I.D.E.A.S: Information, Develop, Encourage, Awareness, and Support. Explore these solutions below.
In the current phase of the project we're implementing solutions recommended by specialist VCSE organisations to start dismantling employment barriers in the health and care sector for under-represented groups. Building upon our I.D.E.A.S. framework, we're working with leaders from the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS) to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
We will collaborate with all system partners to advance the implementation of co-created solutions. In 2026, we will review our impact on the health and care workforce to ensure meaningful progress.
A diverse workforce is essential for delivering fair and effective healthcare. Unfortunately, certain groups remain underrepresented in south east London's health and care sector. The overall aim of our project was to co-identify key barriers to job access in healthcare for specific groups and communities, and co-create solutions to overcome identified barriers and enhance diverse representation in our workforce.
- People with Caring Responsibilities (including young carers)
- Individuals from Black, Caribbean, or African Heritage
- Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
- Neurodivergent People
The project is funded by Health Education England (HEE), coordinated by South East London Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Strategic Alliance and SEL Integrated Care Board (ICB), and developed and delivered with seven specialist ‘By and For’ VCSEs who are embedded in our target groups to co-create the project’s approach and implementation.
Bromley Well is a partnership between four large local charities, aimed at helping residents to improve their health, wellbeing and independence. Among our services we run Bromley Well Young Carers, delivered by our Partners Bromley Mencap.
Founded in 1994, Bexley Deaf Centre provides support and services for deaf and hard of hearing people in the borough of Bexley, including maintaining hearing aids, teaching British Sign Language (BSL) and campaigning for equal access to services & activities.
deafPLUS works to improve the lives of deaf and hardof hearing people in the UK by offering deaf friendlyadvice where needed. They provide a range ofservices to ensure that deaf & hard of hearingpeople have access to the support & resources theyneed to live a full and independent life; being part ofa wider society.
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network exists to empower refugees and other migrants living in south east London to bring about systemic change to remove the challenges they face. LMRN advises on critical immigration cases, and works to prevent homelessness, improve wellbeing, meet basic needs and campaigns for change.
Ladies of Virtue Outreach is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the employability and wellbeing of marginalised women and their families, who mostly come from minoritised communities. They aim to foster a secure and stimulating environment that equips women with professional and personal skills, and engages them in self-care activities to inspire them to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Lewisham Speaking Up supports people with learning disabilities to speak up, be heard and have a stronger voice to get better and fairer treatment. This includes services for Self-Advocacy; 1-2-1 Advocacy; Training and Health Advocacy.
The Policy Centre for African Peoples works to enable African individuals and disadvantaged people of all ethnic origins to improve their lives through education, leadership training and social engagement, using a unique training model inspired by African philosophy.
The seven specialist VCSEs and their communities took a wide range of approaches to the co-creation process and have spent a period of six months jointly designing and delivering unique collaboration with target communities. All experts taking part in this project have been paid fairly for their time and expertise, and several people have taken on further paid strategic influencing opportunities.
Led by Experts by Experience from our target communities, and in collaboration with the selected specialist By and For VCSEs, our communities co-identified key barriers preventing them from considering and accessing healthcare jobs in south east London. Whilst each group spoke to their own unique experiences, many of the barriers identified were experienced by people across all the communities and groups who were part of the project.
Watch this short video to gain a deeper insight into the co-identified barriers to working in south east London's health and care workforce, shared directly by experts with lived experience. It delves into the real-world challenges they face and explores strategies for fostering more inclusive participation.
Our communities and specialist VCSEs then went on to co-create a wide range of tailored solutions to address the barriers they have identified during the first phase of the project. The solutions fall into five key I.D.E.A.S:
- I - Information
Targeted & easily accessible information on roles & training
- D - Develop
Ongoing careers advice & progression pathways
- E - Encourage
Champion different skillsets & increase confidence
- A - Awareness
Foster an inclusive & supportive work environment for all
- S - Support
Explore all the co-created solutions in the slides below:
On September 26th 2024, SEL VCSE Strategic Alliance hosted an in-person workshop at St Andrew’s Church in Waterloo, bringing together our By and For organisations and Experts by Experience with leaders and changemakers from South East London's Integrated Care System (ICS). The session focused on how our proposed solutions can be practically implemented and the barriers that need to be addressed before participation and equity can be expanded in our health and care workforce. Working together, attendees shared a wealth of insights into the work already being done, and the gaps that need to be addressed on both regional and organisational level. The collaborative seminar concluded with key commitments that we can collaboratively take forward with our statutory partners to immediately begin breaking down the barriers experienced by our five under-represented groups and begin the journey to true inclusivity in south east London's health and care workforce.
An action plan from the September 26th workshop, hosted by the SEL VCSE Strategic Alliance, will be available soon. At this event, By and For organisations, Experts by Experience, and leaders from South East London's ICS came together to discuss practical steps and key barriers to expanding equity and participation in the health and care workforce. The session concluded with shared commitments to begin breaking down barriers faced by under-represented groups in south east London.
We are committed to collaborating with all system partners to facilitate and drive forward the implementation of co-created solutions. Our efforts will focus on fostering an inclusive approach that ensures these solutions are effectively integrated across the health and care system. In 2026, we will conduct a comprehensive review to assess the impact of these initiatives on the health and care workforce, ensuring that our progress aligns with the intended outcomes and contributes to a sustainable and supportive working environment.
