Social Action for Health is a community-based health charity providing free services and support to people most affected by health inequalities.
Our mission is to support and address the priorities of those most affected by health inequalities, and to champion the case for wider structural and societal change.
Most participants face barriers to good health such as complex social circumstances (e.g. extremely low income, being vulnerably housed, managing multiple long-term health conditions, limited English and limited digital literacy). We provide culturally relevant and sensitive support in trusted community settings, working with people with lived experience, primary care providers and academic researchers, as well as a team of fantastic volunteers who are embedded in and reflective of the local community. After participating in our programmes, 75% of people report feeling better able to manage their health; 80% of people report reduced social isolation.
For over 35 years Social Action for Health has worked with thousands of individuals and partnered with dozens of organisations from across London.
We are based in Tower Hamlets but operate across east London and deliver programmes and services in an accessible, sensitive, and culturally appropriate way, often in community languages and facilitated by ‘experts-by-experience’ from the local community.
Our way of working is to build capacity in people and communities – particularly those most affected by health inequalities. We are expert at engaging participation and then facilitating ways that people can develop their own solutions, share their expertise and see the world and opportunities in a different way.
Until 2025, we are committed to developing our existing expertise to provide services and support in the following delivery areas:
We are also committed to growing and developing our work in relation to the health and wellbeing of young people, working with them to ascertain their priorities and goals and supporting them to vocalise and act on their decisions.
