At KCSC, we’re working with partners across Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster to strengthen the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) so it can play a leading role in improving the health and wellbeing of our local communities.
Through projects like the VCS Mental Health Strategy, the Forever Care Pilot, and the Vibrant & Healthy Communities programme, we’re building a sector that is better connected, more influential, and equipped to tackle health inequalities head on.
Explore our work below:
Shaping a VCS Mental Health Strategy
We’re co-developing a new strategy to maximise the role of the VCS in preventing and addressing poor mental health.
Led by KCSC and One Westminster and backed by the Bi-borough VCS Strategic Group, this strategy aims to help maximise the role the VCS plays in supporting and preventing mental ill health.
Over the next six months we’re mapping services, engaging with residents, reviewing investment, and running workshops to make sure the strategy reflects both community voices and sector strengths.
Find out more about the Mental Health Strategy
Forever Care Pilot
Funded by NW London ICB, and delivered by KCSC, SMART, and Violet Melchett Health & Wellbeing Centre, the Forever Care pilot is testing new ways of supporting people living in Chelsea and Brompton, who have unmet and long-term health and social needs.
This small pilot will reach around 20 people in its first year. The project brings together health professionals and local community organisations into a regular series of meetings to design tailored support that makes a real difference.
Community organisations are key partners—helping identify people who would benefit from the project, identify gaps, run new activity, and deliver support. Small grants, training, and guidance are available for community organisations.
Find out more about the Forever Care Pilot
Vibrant & Healthy Communities
Vibrant & Healthy Communities is a programme led by KCSC and One Westminster, in partnership with the NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB). Its aim is to maximise the role of the VCS and local communities in addressing health inequalities.
Under this programme, we are testing new approaches that put communities at the heart of health and wellbeing. Current projects include:
Community Solutions Grant 2025–2027
KCSC and One Westminster have partnered with Young K&C and Young Westminster Foundations to run a grant programme aiming to improve mental health awareness and access for young people and families from Global Majority communities. 21 Organisations have shared £640,000 of funding covering two years to design and lead their own local activity.
Community Intelligence Tool
A shared digital platform supported by AI that turns community feedback into actionable insights for NHS, council, and VCSE teams to design more responsive and inclusive services.
Community Defined Metrics
An annual survey built around co-designed, community-informed metrics to capture the impact of the Bi-Borough Health & Wellbeing Strategy across Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
Strategic Community Engagement Group
A new group that would bring together NHS, council, and VCSE partners to improve coordination of engagement, share insights, and develop a more joined-up approach to listening to communities.
Resources & Learning
On Our Terms Report – Produced in collaboration with One Westminster, this report provides an in-depth analysis of how the VCS demonstrates impact, highlighting challenges in data collection, and recommending a more collaborative and flexible model.
Screen, Detect, Protect Report – This report details the pilot programme improving early cancer detection in marginalised communities. Sixteen VCS organisations were funded to deliver community-specific interventions in collaboration with NHS professionals, testing a collaborative approach to reducing health inequalities.
VHC Overview Poster – find out more about the Vibrant & Healthier Community Programme
Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant VCS that can deliver better health and wellbeing for all our communities.