Hello colleague,

Welcome to the Health Anchors Learning Network newsletter - and it’s nearly our first year anniversary!

Below is a round-up of our most popular blogs and resources this month, and some dates for your diary.

Ready, learning set, go!

Over the past year, we’ve been bringing together thousands of people from across the UK with responsibility for, or an interest in, anchor work. Our learning sets connected 50 participants who shared their progress and ideas:

• This work takes time - embedding an anchor mindset is a cultural change, not a set of initiatives, so progress can feel slow
• The conversation is the work - open communication with your employees, local communities and others across the system is central to building support, momentum and energy
• Grasp tangible opportunities -  getting started is a major challenge so proactively search for openings
• Senior buy-in is key - leadership support is an essential to access organisational time and investment.

Share your leadership insight

What are the qualities and skills needed by leaders in anchor organisations? Researchers want your views and examples on what leaders in anchor organisations need to effectively nurture partnerships, foster collaboration, and build networks between public, private, and voluntary sectors to maximise the opportunities and benefits for local communities.

Contact tim.ashcroft@innovas.co.uk who’s heading up the research on behalf of the NHS Leadership Observatory - part of the NHS Leadership Academy.

Missed any of our online events on anchor work?

You can catch up on:

• Getting started on frameworks and charters
• Environmental sustainability
• Procurement and spend as a lever for anchor work
• Taking action on racial inequality
• Lessons from COVID.

You can also watch our four joint sessions with HACT on tackling unemployment, driving and measuring social value, supporting community development and supporting economic development.

Recommended for this month