A key platform for how BPT delivers social impact is its Healthcare strategy. Two of the dedicated social outcomes are healthcare related (Health & Fitness and Mental Health) however BPT believes that healthcare is relevant across all the targeted social outcome strands.

BPT recognises that it cannot address every healthcare issue currently evident in the local community. As such for 2017/8 BPT has decided to focus on four key strands of healthcare as follows:

Healthy Community

A healthy community is a good place to grow up and grow old in. It is one which supports healthy behaviours and supports reductions in health inequalities. It should enhance the physical and mental health of the community and, where appropriate, encourage:

• Active healthy lifestyles with good access to local services and facilities
• A safe place to be active and be accessible by walking, cycling and public transport
• The creation of healthy living environments which support social interaction
• Combine physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices and mental well-being
• Meeting the needs of children and young people to grow and develop, as well as being adaptable to the needs of an increasingly elderly population

BPT is committed to working towards a healthy community for not only the Princes Ward but also the wider Lambeth Borough by providing intergenerational sport and fitness activities, educational training and personal development for all. The Healthy Community strand embodies all of BPT’s social outcomes, embraces the 5 ways to wellbeing and allows us to lead the community towards a happier and healthier life.

Childhood and Teenage Obesity

Healthy child development is fundamental for good health and happy life; a child’s early years lay down the foundation on which the rest of their lives are built. In London 1 in 4 of reception age (4-5 years) and 4 in 10 of year 6 (age 10-11) children are either overweight or obese. Childhood obesity rates in Lambeth are among the highest in the UK. This phenomenon is then evident as children become adults and the percentages become even more alarming.

Child, parent and school education alongside regular physical activity will not only deal with childhood and teenage obesity issues but help prevent this problem in the future. At BPT we offer free physical activities to all members of the Princes Ward and the wider Lambeth community and are now seeking to build on this by introducing structured educational sessions to run alongside the physical activities. A combination of factors is the proven answer to weight issues and BPT intends to design programmes to cover all issues.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health problems affect around one in four people in the UK. Among people under 65, nearly half of all ill health is mental illness and more than a third of GP consultations are related to mental health. The total economic and social cost of mental illness is over £105bn a year.

Approximately 20% of Lambeth residents identified through the Physical Activity and Sport Borough profile have a high anxiety rate and 11% feel they have a low happiness rate. From these findings, BPT believes that there is much work to be done and we are committed to expanding our physical and mental health offer to further support the community and address mental health issues.

Currently at the Black Prince Trust we support the local communities psychological and emotional well-being by working in partnership with the Living Well Network and Fight 4 Change on the delivery of boxing and gym based programme “Brainbox”.

Sexual Health

Sexual health is a national and local public health priority. Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham (LSL) have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV and teenage conception rates in London and the UK. Promoting sexual health is complex. Improving access to, and the quality of, local sexual health services, can result in better sexual health outcomes and better value for money with respect to treatment. This requires an evidence-based commissioning approach, based on strong stakeholder engagement.

In partnership with Brook, a Charity that provides wellbeing and sexual health support for young people, BPT has created an outreach sexual health clinic on Friday afternoons in The Space. It is a great example of partnership working that combines Brooks expertise in sexual health support with BPT’s ability to engage young people and willingness and ability to provide a safe facility to deliver the clinic

We would value your input into how best to work towards making our community a more active and healthier please contact Rich@blackprincetrust.org.uk to discuss in more detail.