Our impact – What we do
At Compass Wellbeing, advancing community wellbeing is central to our mission, offering a suite of services designed to address critical health determinants and promote equitable health outcomes across communities.
Supporting VCSEs
We champion the growth and sustainability of voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) groups across the region. As connectors, we facilitate meaningful collaborations between VCSEs, NHS and larger organisations, breaking down barriers to enhance community health and provide equal access for all, including underrepresented groups.
Our work with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and others solidifies their roles as anchor institutions, essential in nurturing local services and promoting health equity in line with the Marmot principles. This initiative not only preserves vital community resources but also ensures these organisations contribute significantly to public health objectives.
By fostering close relationships and responding to community needs, we offer a bespoke suite of services from funding and policy guidance to networking and professional development. Our aim is simple: to amplify the impact of each VCSE we support, enabling them to thrive and make a measurable difference in their communities.
“Throughout our community mental health transformation programme we have seen the value that investment into the voluntary sector can bring, allowing us to reach populations and organisations who have previously felt excluded or overlooked, and helping us to deliver the vision of the NHS Long Term Plan.”
Richard Fradgley
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ELFT
£18.5m
Provided in funding to the voluntary sector in the last 4 years
584
Meetings with VCSEs in 2024
Enhanced funding support
Over the past year, we’ve helped 47 organisations secure vital funding of £5.4 million, spotlighting our dedication to aiding partners in challenging times. Eager to continually improve, we annually consult external experts to gather feedback from our VCSE network, incorporating insights and quotes from various organisations to better serve our community’s needs.
Women’s Inclusive Team – Cardboard Citizens
£5.4m
Of funding directed to VCSEs in 2023/2024
6,000
Young people showed improvements in their mental health and wellbeing
5,800
Young people improved their ability to manage their mental health
97%
Of providers said funding enabled them to support more under-represented young people
UCL Community Research Initiative
We connect organisations with UCL students for mutual benefit: organisations enhance their impact understanding, boosting their resilience and ability to attract further funding, while students tackle real-world problems
19
VCSEs have been partnered with UCL students (2022-2024)
11
organisations are working with students on Masters dissertations following a research clinic in East London
3
Organisations took part in a codesigned evaluation mapping workshop
VCSE Training
We provide specialised, tailored training at no cost to organisations within our network.
Most popular recent sessions:
- Getting Started with Chat GPT
- Top 10 Tips for Funding Applications
- Setting a Project Budget
- Trauma Informed Care
- Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
4.6/5
On the quality of the presentations
98%
Said training was relevant to their needs
93%
Would attend future
trainings
Alliance-building conference
Our July conference in Stratford, attended by 179 members from our network and beyond, focused on strengthening sector alliances through showcases, speeches, and discussions. All highlighting the vital role of unity and collaboration in our sector, furthering our mission to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen collective resilience
98%
Rated the conference positively
91%
Found the conference useful
Service User Training & Employment Programme
In partnership with ELFT, we deliver a critical Employment & Training Programme from our Whitechapel offices, designed to assist individuals moving from inpatient or secure settings. Acknowledged by NICE as vital for mental health recovery, our six-month paid initiative offers more than just employment; it’s a pathway to rebuilding lives through developing a sense of purpose, self-worth, and achievement. Despite the challenges of skill gaps and a lack of previous employment experience amongst participants, the desire to work and transform their lives is evident. Our programme not only aids in honing necessary skills but also in fostering independence and self-confidence, with all participants reporting significant advancements. This endeavour is a step towards not just personal growth but also towards contributing positively to the community.
100%
Of service users saw improvements across all competencies from the start of the placement to the end.
“I have found [the training] very helpful. It helped me develop IT skills, graphic design skills using Canva and Microsoft and Excel as well as giving me an understanding of office work and the office environment. It’s been supportive and provides me with structure. I enjoyed being there overall. Six hours a week helped me to provide structure and prepare me for a new role. I now work at Redemption Roasters working 16 hours a week… I am looking to do more training and learning in the future in sound and music.”
— Rad, programme participant
Promoting Independence Medical Devices
Our medical device management for ELFT exemplifies healthcare excellence, overseeing more than 8,000 devices to ensure compliance with stringent clinical care and governance standards. This pivotal role not only establishes new benchmarks in healthcare management but also significantly enhances patient care. By empowering our team to adhere to the Marmot principles, we champion patient independence and uphold the highest standards. Our innovative strategy utilises advanced cloud technology for real-time device tracking and delivers tailored support to meet diverse service needs, streamlining the management process. This approach guarantees that every device user maintains their dignity and autonomy, promoting a healthier standard of living for all.
8,000
Medical devices are featured in our extensive portfolio
120
Locations
“Compass Wellbeing has significantly improved the efficiency of our medical device management. The team has a true commitment to excellence and their approach has not only elevated our healthcare services but established them as an indispensable partner in achieving exceptional patient care.”
— Lorraine Sunduza OBE, Chief Executive Officer, ELFT
ELFT Charity
Partnering with ELFT, we’ve advanced the ELFT Charity to boost its influence throughout six boroughs, aligning with our mission to diminish health inequalities. This charity encourages ELFT staff to identify and champion projects that directly address the needs of the communities they serve, leading to service improvements on a broader scale. Success stories include the Healthier Wealthier Families initiative which has brought nearly £500,000 in benefits to 72 families, a theatre outing in Newham enriching the lives of teenagers with learning disabilities, and a two-year Employment Support programme developed with NHS Charities Together to aid mental health service users in overcoming pandemic-related adversities
£43,837
Across 33 projects
£9,000
Grants ranged from £150 to £9,000
“The impact on my daughter was profound; she returned from the trip with newfound confidence and a sparkle in her eyes. Such experiences are invaluable for our special needs children, who often face limitations in participating.”
– Letter from a parent, Expanding Horizons
The why behind our efforts
Delivering on ELFT’s commitment to be a Marmot Trust
In pursuit of its bold vision for improved population health, ELFT is pioneering an innovative approach to become the first NHS ‘Marmot Trust’. This tests the boundaries of what an NHS trust can do to tackle some of the drivers of poor health, such as poverty, living conditions and unemployment.
NHS trusts don’t usually have the opportunity to influence these building blocks of health, efforts are often focused on reactively delivering clinical care. We’ve utilised our unique position as an agile arm to ELFT, with deep community connections, to become an essential element in delivering the Marmot principles.
Our work with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, medical devices, and service-user employment are all prime examples of the innovation that has come from working through a community interest company. The contracts we have procured and delivered over the past year have been to directly meet these principles. Our agility as a community interest company can be used to propel real change on behalf of larger institutions.
Marmot Trust
The Marmot principles were originally set out by Prof. Michael Marmot in 2010. (principles 7 & 8 have been added more recently)
“Working with Compass Wellbeing has been transformative for our ambitions as a Marmot Trust. Their unparalleled expertise, vast connections, and dynamic agility have been instrumental in our efforts to address the root causes of ill health. With Compass Wellbeing, we are able to reach further into the communities we serve, creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.” Lorraine Sunduza OBE, Chief Executive Officer ELFT
01
Give every child the best start in life
02
Empower everyone to reach their full potential and control their lives
03
Create fair employment and good work for all
04
Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
05
Foster healthy, and sustainable communities
06
Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention
07
Tackle racism and its outcomes
08
Tackle climate change and health equity in unison
Our theory of change
Past programmes delivered by Compass Wellbeing
Pathways to Success
Service User Employment Skills and Career Pathway Programme
The program provides a clear path to success through employment and skills development, particularly for mental health service users who have been out of regular employment. Our programme supports individuals to build a career pathway that fits in with their aspirations. We provide personalised coaching and mentoring to help service users achieve their potential and to build a supportive infrastructure that sustains and encourages them towards achieving substantive employment. The programme includes work skills training, internships, and level 2/ 3 accreditation for a group of service users on their pathway to work as interpreters for the NHS.
Our programme has provided service users with opportunities for learning enhancement and development that positively impacts their well-being, quality of life, and future job prospects. Those who have been inducted on to the programme have reported improvements in their literacy and computer skills and have been actively encouraged to participate in team meetings and contribute to our business operations. Our service user team members have all completed certificated statutory/mandatory training modules, which have proven to be positive additions to their CVs when applying for substantive work roles in the future. The offer of skills sharing and development has secured Compass Wellbeing’s position as a genuine contributor to population health outcomes.
We aim to create a positive influence on the lives of the individuals we serve.
Translation and Interpreting Service
Compass Wellbeing oversees an interpreting service contract relationship which has adapted to meet changing needs, and providing almost 32,000 service user interactions across Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton since 2021/22.
Our contract management focuses on value for money service provision and, uniquely, the incorporation of the service user interpreter training program. The pandemic prompted our shift towards service enhancements that better facilitated and promoted the expansion of remote delivery via telephone and video options.
COVID Testing Service
The COVID testing service, established to cater to key workers and vulnerable individuals across Luton, Bedford, and Central Bedfordshire, tested and notified more than 14,000 people between June 2020 and July 2021. Compass Wellbeing, was contracted to provide this service to, for example, nursing home residents, health and social care professionals, homeless units, schools and community drop-in sessions. The service offered seven-day-a-week availability and conducted on-site testing and training where required.
We refined data collection systems to include more detailed demographic information and referral source analysis for a targeted testing approach. Compass Wellbeing actively recruited testing staff from the VCSE sector and provided training and support to those laid off during the pandemic. This initiative led to permanent NHS employment for many and inspired several individuals to pursue professional training in nursing and allied health professions.
At its peak, the service handled over 1,500 tests per month and delivered results within 24-48 hours. A survey of users showed that:
- 96% of those who responded were satisfied/very satisfied with their experience
- 90% found it easy to book a convenient testing slot
- 99% reported receiving results promptly
- 95% reported a 5*/4* service
Our Testimonials
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🌟New Grants Available! 🌟
We're excited to announce grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 to support local community initiatives that make a significant impact. Projects should deliver against the following priorities of Education, Skills and Employment, and Wellbeing.
If your…
Our incredible Community Development Officers attended a remarkable event to honour our wonderful Voluntary and Community Groups and Individuals.
@CompassWB @Mathew_Sheehan1 Very best of luck @Mathew_Sheehan1 - @CompassWB is a great organisation and I know they’re looking forward to your arrival! I’ve had an enjoyable last year as interim CEO.