Anchoring on the Coast
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Anchoring on the Coast : Co-designing an Anchor Framework
IRAS ID
317023
Contact name
Heather Catt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Anchor organisations are large public sector organisations rooted in and connected to their local communities. They can improve health through their influence on local social and economic conditions by adapting the way they employ people, purchase goods and services, use buildings and spaces, reduce environmental impact, and work in partnership. Coastal communities have different challenges to urban communities and many existing frameworks on how anchor organisations can improve their social value do not necessarily apply to coastal areas.
Communities living on the Fylde Coast, which comprises Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, experience wide inequalities in health and wealth. Blackpool is the most deprived local authority in England and eight of England’s 10 most deprived small areas are in Blackpool. Being a coastal area adds additional dimensions to high levels of deprivation, due to longstanding challenges in the economy and employment.
The links between employment and health are well evidenced, and the role of Anchor institutions in this context is therefore important. This project led by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTH) aims to develop a framework to allow
BTH to use its economic power as an employer of 7,500 staff with turnover of £552 million to contribute to the economic, environmental and social fabric of the Fylde Coast and reduce health inequalities.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0200
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion