GSK Community Health Programme

Overview

About the programme

Health inequalities are avoidable and systematic differences that include access to health care, quality and experience of care, life expectancy, and wider factors such as environment and housing. There are stark gaps in health between the least and most deprived areas in the UK, with the cost-of-living squeeze and rising poverty also impacting many people’s health.

A considerable amount of work tackling health inequalities is carried out by very small charities working with their communities. These organisations can find it hard to access unrestricted funding and support for their leaders, particularly in the current economic climate which has resulted in huge pressures on funding.

Organisations led by and supporting the most disadvantaged communities – such as those supporting ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and others – are encouraged to apply for this programme.

The GSK Community Health programme will support aspirational leaders who want to develop their organisations to tackle health inequalities. It is designed to run alongside the GSK IMPACT Awards and support the next generation of award winners. They know from their long history with the GSK IMPACT Awards that the combination of funding and leadership support can make a real difference and help a charity realise its ambitions.

Funding

Up to 10 organisations will receive up to £10,000 in unrestricted funding.

The leadership programme

The charities that are offered funding will be invited to attend an online leadership programme. Up to 10 places are available, valued at £5,000 a place. The programme will be delivered by The King’s Fund and provide participants with the opportunity to develop their capability and confidence to lead both operationally and strategically. Taking part in the programme will require time and commitment, and it may not be right for everyone.

The focus of the leadership programme will be on supporting participants to reflect on and pay attention to how they see themselves as a leader, and what supports and gets in the way of them being effective and successful in their role. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of developing the skills, qualities and practices that enable leaders to develop their resilience, build the relationships and hold the quality of conversations that enable them to achieve their personal and organisational aspirations and goals in a sustainable way.

There is an expectation that participants will come with an openness, curiosity and willingness to challenge their thinking, reflect on and develop their leadership practice, and collaborate together to build a supportive learning community.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, organisations must be:

• within the income band for the programme – the charity must have a total annual income between £20,000 and £150,000, as shown in its most recent accounts. If your organisation’s income is above £150,000, you may be eligible to apply for the GSK IMPACT Awards
• able to demonstrate how they are tackling health inequalities in their community (this can be defined as a geographical community or a community of interest)
• a registered charity by the deadline for applications 5.00pm on Monday 11 August 2025 – the organisation must also have existed for a minimum of one year by this date
• working, located and registered in the UK
• independently constituted from any national umbrella organisation.

They are interested in your whole charity, so please tell them about the work you do across your organisation. Applications that only focus on a particular project will not be shortlisted.

GSK and The King’s Fund encourage organisations to apply that are led by and support people from under-represented backgrounds, people from ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities, and people from the LGBTQ+ community. They want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Visit website to see previous winners.