Pulling Together Programme

Focused on asset-based community development, the programme seeks to change the relationship between a place, its citizens, and communities by focusing on ‘what’s strong, not what’s wrong’.

This works through enablement of our local Primary Care Networks (PCN’s) - with relevant Districts & Boroughs - to identify, grow and lead a series of local community development projects, supported by the Partnership and using community development funding.

This might include a project that already exists in some form, or that makes use of existing assets within the community, for example skills, spaces, connections, has the support of people or will be led by people within the community, or that needs financial support to grown and improve.

By working together, the programme pulls together key partners to;

• Understand in a systematic way the needs, wants and priorities of local people and communities by independently engaging with local communities and populations.
• Focus on ‘what’s strong, not what’s wrong’ via an asset-based community development programme, changing the relationship between a place, its citizens, and communities.
• Bring together the NHS, local government, community health services, voluntary sector, and other providers to serve the people and communities of Surrey Downs.
• Agree measures of success with local people and to translate the community strategy into clear outcomes, roadmap, and resource needs.
• Develop localised, target programmes to make a difference to our local residents and service users, based on Population Health Management data and resources with other soft intelligence and local knowledge programmes.
• Share ideas and resources between projects / programmes through the network of support.

In Autumn 2023, partners came together to showcase local initiatives supported by the Pulling Together programme and to discuss ‘where we go next?’ in the creation of a healthier Surrey Downs.

Find out more about the difference some of our projects across the neighbourhoods of Surrey Downs, are having. Each project has a video showing how a range of professionals from different backgrounds are supporting health and wellbeing in our local community.

• Nourishing connections: The Epsom and Ewell Food Bank and Health and Wellbeing Hub
• Local community partners supporting wellness: Cobham Community Gym
• Hearing the young people of Preston: Drop-in football sessions
• A system of support: Leatherhead Community Hub

In February 2022, the Pulling Together Programme Board was established and held its first meeting. Chaired by independent chair, Professor Lis Paice, a range of partners across the Surrey Downs System attended, including:

• Local communities through outreach, including community, religious and voluntary groups
• Primary Care Networks
• Districts and Borough Councils
• Surrey County Council
• Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector organisations, and
• Surrey Heartlands Population Health Management team.

An outline of the programme was given, and Terms of Reference (ToR) were agreed at the meeting.

Place Based Lead, Thirza Sawtell, reiterated the ambitions of Surrey Downs, providing clarity on what we hope to achieve throughout the lifespan of the programme by supporting the further development of connected, caring communities who are central to finding more effective ways to help people live well and solve problems together.

We welcome involvement from Surrey Downs residents, organisations, and community groups across our programme.

To find out a bit more, or to get involved, please contact esth.sdhcp.engagement@nhs.net