What the Darzi Report Means for Our Communities
By Stephen Craker, Chief Executive of Communities 1st
The Lord Darzi Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England offers a vital snapshot of the current state of healthcare. It reveals significant pressures on the NHS, while also highlighting the important role that communities and the voluntary sector play in addressing health inequalities and fostering social wellbeing.
As an organisation involved in supporting local communities, many of the report’s themes resonate with the work we are already undertaking alongside our Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) partners. At Communities 1st, we have long recognised the importance of building healthier, more resilient communities through proactive, localised action.
This blog aims to reflect on the Darzi Report’s key findings and connect them with the efforts we and our VCFSE partners are undertaking to strengthen community wellbeing.
Health Inequalities and the Role of Communities
The Darzi Report highlights that health inequalities, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors, continue to challenge the NHS. As outlined in our ‘What We Stand For’ policy statements, tackling these inequalities is central to our mission. From addressing the cost-of-living crisis to promoting equity and inclusion, our collective action helps ensure that the voices of the most marginalised are heard. Through our collaboration with local VCFSE organisations, we advocate for policies that reduce barriers to accessing healthcare and social service.
In advocating for stronger local networks and inclusive policies, we have already sent these policy statements to local leaders, urging them to take concrete steps toward reducing the health and social inequalities outlined in the Darzi report. The report is a call to action, and our ongoing projects - such as the Able2Enable and FutureFocus programmes, which focus on skills development and employment for vulnerable groups - show how we are tackling the root causes of these inequalities.
We are particularly proud of our role in helping communities improve their health and wellbeing through initiatives like the Better Days Hubs, where individuals can access vital health information, volunteer opportunities, and social support. These hubs serve as gateways to services that address physical, mental, and social health, empowering individuals to take control of their wellbeing. This kind of community-based support is precisely what the Darzi Report calls for - a shift towards preventative care and early intervention.
Shifting Towards Prevention and Community Care
A central theme in the report is the need to shift resources towards prevention and community-based care. This aligns with our ‘What We Stand For’ statement on Promoting Health and Wellbeing. Our approach is rooted in proactive, community-driven health initiatives. Through Welcome Spaces and Creative Community Cafes, we are creating environments where people can not only access health information but also engage in activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing.
Our partnership with local GPs, NHS providers, and public health services further ensures that our health and wellbeing support - ranging from smoking cessation to healthy living advice - reaches those who need it most. The Darzi Report’s emphasis on prevention validates our long-standing belief that community organisations must be central to health promotion efforts.
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis through Community Solution
With over a million people waiting for mental health services, and with young people disproportionately affected, it is clear that more must be done to address this crisis. At Communities 1st, we have seen the critical role that voluntary organisations play in providing accessible mental health services, peer support groups, and crisis intervention. Yet, to address the growing need, we must ensure that our sector is adequately funded and that our voice is heard in discussions about local health planning.
The Darzi Report’s call for enhanced community involvement in mental health services is aligned with our Peer-to-Peer Support Groups and Digital Inclusion initiatives, which help tackle social isolation and improve mental wellbeing. By offering inclusive, person-centred support, we are contributing directly to easing.
Empowering Patients and Re-Engaging Communities
The report makes a compelling case for the need to re-engage and empower both NHS staff and patients. In many ways, this is at the core of our mission in the VCS. Our work is about empowering people - whether through advocacy, providing information and guidance, or building confidence in navigating health and care systems.
The rise in social prescribing is a positive step, but it requires more investment and understanding at a local level. Communities 1st, along with other organisations, can help patients gain control of their health, but we must be an integral part of the wider health and care ecosystem.
The Power of Volunteering in Health and Social Care
The report highlights the importance of community involvement in improving health outcomes, and at Communities 1st, we see this every day through the power of volunteering. Volunteers are the backbone of community strength, resilience, and wellbeing, as outlined in our What We Stand For policy statement on empowering communities through volunteering.
Our Volunteer Centre is a hub of activity, where we connect individuals with meaningful opportunities that align with their skills and passions. This is echoed in our Volunteer Recruitment and Matching Service and programmes like Able2Enable, which not only provide volunteering opportunities but also focus on personal development and inclusivity. By supporting people in overcoming barriers to participation - whether physical, social, or economic - we ensure that volunteering is accessible to everyone, fostering greater community involvement and resilience.
Through initiatives such as Let’s Give, we flip the traditional model by allowing individuals to showcase their skills so that charities and organisations can directly connect with them. This approach aligns with our belief that everyone has something valuable to offer, and that volunteering is a key driver of social cohesion and health equity.
Volunteering not only benefits the individual but the broader health and wellbeing of the community. By working with our volunteers and supporting organisations, we help people contribute in ways that improve both personal wellbeing and the health of their local area. This ties directly into the What We Stand For statement's call for decision-makers to support policies that promote inclusive and accessible volunteering opportunities, recognising the broader social value of volunteer contributions.
Collaboration Across Health Systems and Communities
One of the key themes from the Darzi Report is the need for more collaboration between the NHS and community organisations. This aligns with our policy of strengthening the collaboration between the state and the voluntary sector. Our Co-production and Service Equity Framework demonstrates our commitment to working alongside healthcare commissioners and providers to design services that meet local needs. Our projects, such as Beyond Borders, also foster integration and health equity for marginalised groups like refugees and migrants.
Through initiatives like the Inspire Programme, which links businesses and local charities, we are fostering partnerships that address community needs beyond just healthcare. These collaborations ensure that the voluntary sector plays a central role in shaping local services, offering both support and advocacy.
Finally, the report underscores the importance of collaboration. NHS structures and systems need to be simplified and made more efficient to foster better partnerships between healthcare providers, local authorities, and the voluntary sector. The report calls for innovative, multidisciplinary models of care that bring together primary, community, and mental health services
For us, this is a clear signal that we must continue building partnerships that allow us to deliver more holistic services. Whether it’s joining forces with local GP practices, mental health trusts, or councils, the VCS is in a unique position to facilitate better integration of care across communities.
Moving Forward Together
While the Darzi Report outlines the critical state of the NHS, it also points to solutions - many of which resonate with the work of our sector. As we look ahead we must continue providing essential services and strengthen partnerships with statutory bodies to ensure health and care systems meet the needs of everyone in our communities.
At Communities 1st, we are committed to advocating for the changes highlighted in both the Darzi Report and our ‘What We Stand For’ policy statements. From promoting health and wellbeing to enhancing learning and employability, our members are addressing the systemic challenges that impact so many lives. Projects like the Multiply Project, which helps bridge the digital divide and improve numeracy, and our focus on environmental sustainability, reflect our commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive society.
The Darzi Report reinforces what we’ve long known: the local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector is critical in tackling health inequalities and supporting vulnerable communities. By continuing to advocate, collaborate, and innovate, we can help shape a future where everyone has access to the care and support they need.
Now, more than ever, the VCFSE sector plays a pivotal role in creating a healthier, more resilient society. By championing the value of community-based services and addressing inequalities, we can help tackle some of the NHS’s most pressing challenges.
Stephen Craker,
Chief Executive, Communities 1st.
