Cornwall’s Community Gateway receives 5-year funding boost from NHS Integrated Care Board
18 April 2024
An award-winning partnership of more than 50 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations providing community support to people in Cornwall, has received funding for a further five years.
The Community Gateway was launched in November 2022 to support people through a challenging winter, in response to the cost-of-living crisis and increased pressures across the health and care system in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The service provides a dedicated helpline available to everyone and is open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year – including Christmas Day.
The unique partnership of more than 50 VCSE organisations, including Age UK Cornwall, Volunteer Cornwall, CHAOS Group, Pentreath and Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF), has received a funding boost from NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, to enable the service to continue for another five years.
The Community Gateway provides a ‘gateway to independence’, working with people to identify their needs and put appropriate packages of support in place.
Between November 2022 and October 2023, the Gateway received over 48,000 calls and emails and supported people to develop almost 7,000 personalised care and support plans. This infographic highlights the positive impact the Community Gateway has had across Cornwall.
The Gateway works with people to create personalised plans that prevent hospital admissions, reduce social isolation, and improve wellbeing. It also connects people to mental health support, community activities, and a wide range of support through a network of around 50 community hubs that provide a person-centred approach, nutritious food, and warm spaces.
This collaborative approach to how health and care services are provided in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly received the ‘Collaborative Working’ prize in the South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards 2023.
Anyone can access the Community Gateway by telephone at 01872 266383 or via email at [email protected]