Building on Community Links’ expertise in delivering advice to the community, in December 2025 we began our new Community Health Bank project, a community-centre initiative designed to reduce health inequalities across Newham and funded by Legal & General’s Health Equity Fund. Many residents in Newham, one of the most deprived areas in East London, face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, including digital exclusion, language challenges, financial hardship, and limited familiarity with NHS systems. With our Community Health Bank project, we embed health support directly within food banks, ensuring individuals most at risk of poor health outcomes can receive timely, practical and compassionate assistance.
Our outreach worker attends food banks in the area on a regular schedule, building trust and visibility within each setting. Through consistent presence, they are becoming a familiar and approachable figure for people who may otherwise feel disconnected from healthcare services. Using motivational interviewing techniques, our worker encourages individuals to engage with preventative health measures such as cancer screening, immunisations, and GP registration. They also provide space for people to discuss physical and mental health concerns, providing information, reassurance, and onward referrals where needed.
Many food bank users lack access to digital devices, or lack confidence in navigating online systems – our outreach worker uses a tablet to help people register for services, book GP appointments, order cancer screening kits, and access other essential services. We undertake follow-up contacts which ensure any challenges are addressed, and people remain supported throughout their healthcare journey.
During February 2026 our Community Health Bank supported 110 people in health conversations, signposting them where required and providing tailored support. In March, a further 81 people have been supported. In April, we engaged with 52 service users through our community outreach work. This was slightly lower than usual, mainly because the Easter holidays meant fewer people attended the food bank sessions. We also noted an increase in the number of repeat visitors using the food bank, knowing our service is here and where they feel welcome.
As the year-long project progresses, we aim to support at least 1,000 people who otherwise may not engage with health services.
Case study
A recently arrived woman from Bangladesh presented with uncertainty and overwhelmed around navigating local systems, alongside financial stress and concerns about employment. She was unfamiliar with accessing healthcare and had not yet registered with a GP. Support was provided to identify a local GP practice and guide her through the registration process, including documentation and eligibility. She was introduced to lifesaving screening services that she may be eligible for and Initial discussions also explored her previous experience as a teacher and potential pathways into employment within the UK.
As a result, she began the GP registration process and reported feeling more informed and confident in accessing both healthcare and employment support.
