Transforming Health and Wellbeing Together

On 7th September 2025 West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust launched the UK’s first community-powered fund to transform health and wellbeing right here in Hertfordshire.

The Neighbourhood Transformation Fund brings together communities, health partners, and voluntary, community and Faith organisations to shift care from hospitals into neighbourhoods, focusing on prevention, equity, and inclusion.

At One Vision, we have been privileged to work alongside Samira Ben Omar, Independent Health Consultant, Toby Hyde, Chief Strategy and Collaboration Officer for West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals, Social Finance, and Macmillan on the Anchor Project a model that empowers voluntary, community, and faith organisations to tackle health inequalities and uplift those most at risk.

The launch event brought together leaders including Dr Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England, Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan, Catherine Dugmore, Chair of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals, and Matthew Coats CB, CEO of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals. Their commitment to aligning this work with the NHS Long Term Plan is deeply encouraging.

This pioneering collaboration will provide care and support for 2,000 older people in our community, while also testing and scaling innovative projects with local charities to address health inequalities. With around £10m of social investment, this initiative is not only the first of its kind in the UK but also a beacon of hope for what can be achieved nationally.

As Scripture reminds us:

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

And Ellen White beautifully expressed:

Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people… He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143)

This movement is more than a fund. It is about ensuring no one is left behind, and that every individual has access to care, compassion, and dignity.

Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, Founder and CEO of One Vision

“At One Vision, we believe faith must be lived out in service. By partnering with the NHS, Macmillan, Social Finance, and our health and faith leaders, we are helping to put God’s love into action by caring for the most vulnerable in society. This partnership is proof that when faith and community come together, we can bring healing, hope, and transformation.”

Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Director for Community Services, Health, and Women’s Ministries

This initiative embodies the gospel commission to serve ‘the least of these’ (Matthew 25:40). As a church, we are called to bring light into our communities. Working alongside One Vision and partners in health and social care, we see Christ’s mission lived out in practical, life-changing ways.

Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Toby Hyde and all Health and Social Care leaders for ensuring the voices of marginalised communities remain at the centre of this transformation. Special thanks also to Samira Ben Omar, our trustees, Faith and Community Leaders, VCFSE Leaders, the One Vision team, our dedicated volunteers. 

This is not just a launch. It is the beginning of a movement led by God’s Spirit to restore, uplift, and heal.

With Matthew Coats, Chief Executive for West Herts Teaching Hospitals 

Gemma Peters, CEO for Macmillan Cancer support 

Dr Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England 

One Vision is registered in England and Wales as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity No. 1192511.
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