The Purpose Coalition today announced the launch of South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust’s (SWFT) second “Breaking Down Barriers” Impact Report, updated from its first report launched three years ago. This latest edition highlights the Trust’s pioneering work to improve health equity and opportunity across the region, measuring its progress against the Purpose Goals – the UK’s first levelling-up framework launched by former Education Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening to drive equality of opportunity. To mark the launch, Rt Hon Anne Milton visited the Trust’s Stratford Hospital to see first-hand how SWFT and its partners are breaking down barriers through health innovation and community engagement.
During the visit, Anne Milton met with SWFT’s leadership over lunch at the Community Wellbeing Hub – including Dr. Varadarajan Baskar (Chief Medical Officer), Ashi Williams (Chief People Officer), and Acting Chief Executive Adam Carson – to discuss the Trust’s progress in advancing health equity and workforce inclusion. She then joined Cris Calleja, SWFT’s Sustainability Lead, for a discussion on the Trust’s green initiatives, such as its commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2040 and a range of projects to reduce its environmental footprint. Following this, Anne Milton toured the new Wellbeing Garden – a therapeutic garden developed in partnership with local charity Forest of Hearts – guided by Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Amy Upchurch. The garden visit showcased SWFT’s focus on prevention and mental wellbeing through community partnerships. The itinerary concluded with a walkthrough of the recently opened South Warwickshire Community Diagnostic Centre, where Radiology PACS Lead, Carys Allen, demonstrated how cutting-edge diagnostic services are being brought closer to the community.
The updated “Breaking Down Barriers” Impact Report benchmarks SWFT’s activities against 15 Purpose Goals, showing progress made since its first publication in 2022. It highlights SWFT’s strengths in preventative healthcare, digital inclusion, sustainability, and inclusive growth, placing the Trust at the forefront of the breaking down barrier’s agenda.
Anne Milton, Engagement Director of the Purpose Coalition, said: “It’s inspiring to see how South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is tackling health inequalities head-on and prioritising prevention in everything it does. By working together with community partners, the Trust is making sure that wellbeing support reaches those who need it most. They have embraced innovation, from digital inclusion initiatives to green projects, to help everyone access the opportunities that lead to healthier lives. SWFT is truly acting as an anchor institution for its community, and in doing so, is setting a new standard for what an NHS organisation can achieve in breaking down barriers to good health.”
Adam Carson, Acting Chief Executive of SWFT, said: “Healthcare is about more than treating illness. It’s about creating opportunities for everyone to live healthier, fuller lives. Publishing our second Impact Report gives us a powerful framework to measure and accelerate our progress on key priorities like prevention, inclusion and sustainability. This aligns perfectly with our Trust’s vision to support healthier, happier lives through innovation and partnership. By focusing on these areas and working closely with our communities, we will continue to tackle health inequalities and drive positive change, ensuring a fairer and healthier future for the communities we care for.”
