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2018 GSK IMPACT Award winners

  • 13 March 2018

Our congratulations go to the eight charities that have won 2018 GSK IMPACT Awards for their outstanding contributions to improving the UK’s health and wellbeing. 

The following organisations received a £30,000 donation, plus two places on a free training and development programme and an invitation to join the GSK IMPACT Awards Development Network with its programme of free meetings and events. WILD Young Parents Project, a charity supporting young parents in Cornwall to make healthy, safe and happy choices for them and their children, was named as the overall winner of the 2018 GSK IMPACT Awards at an award ceremony held at the Science Museum in London on 17 May. As the overall winner, WILD has received an additional £10,000 in funding.

WILD Young Parents Project

WILD is a small vibrant charity supporting young parents. Many have come from disadvantaged backgrounds, experiencing poorer health for them and their children. It works with both mums and dads, running group sessions across Cornwall, focusing on mental health, better relationships and healthy lifestyles, including establishing smoke free homes. It also works with and trains a wide range of organisations.

What the judges said

'We were impressed by the way the organisation works together with parents, and its proactive approach to developing partnerships that help support its work. It is a dynamic and caring organisation that is making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of young parents.'

Birchwood Centre

Young homeless people are vulnerable to poor physical and mental health; the Birchwood Centre provides supported accommodation and advice to young people while they gain the skills and confidence necessary for independent living. Its mediation service helps to prevent homelessness by resolving family conflicts and tenancy disagreements, while its Junk Food Café provides work experience for its residents.

What the judges said

'The Birchwood Centre is doing fantastic work that is having a real impact supporting vulnerable young people. It is always looking for new ways to better support young people, and we were impressed with the excellent working relationships with the local statutory sector.'

Birmingham LGBT

Estimates suggest 5-7 per cent of the UK population are LGBT and discrimination can lead to mental anxiety and harmful behaviour. Birmingham LGBT’s inclusive approach reaches marginalised communities, such as LGBT refugees, homeless people, isolated older people and victims of domestic violence. It provides essential health and wellbeing services via its Wellbeing Centre and community outreach programmes including testing for HIV.

What the judges said

'The Birchwood Centre is doing fantastic work that is having a real impact supporting vulnerable young people. It is always looking for new ways to better support young people, and we were impressed with the excellent working relationships with the local statutory sector.'

Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (Leeds GATE)

Gypsy and Traveller people are known to have a lower life expectancy than the rest of the population, they experience high rates of long term illness and barriers to accessing healthcare. Leeds GATE supports members of the community to access services and works with the NHS to help it better understand the barriers community members face.

What the judges said

'Leeds GATE has done great work in supporting a community that has some of the worst health outcomes in the UK. We were particularly impressed by how the local community is actively involved in shaping services and leading the charity.'

RSVP (Rape and Sexual Violence Project)

RSVP is the only specialist centre for rape and sexual violence victims of all genders and ages in Birmingham and Solihull. Its core counselling service opens seven days a week, providing counselling for survivors and anyone supporting survivors. It works to support all sections of the community, having specialist services for children, LGBT communities and refugees. It also trains professionals.

What the judges said

'What stood out about RSVP is that it reaches into all parts of the community and has coped with a big increase in demand for its services, whilst continuing to deliver high-quality services for the people it supports.'

Seaview Project

Seaview Project works in a deprived area in England, with high rates of rough sleeping. Almost half the people it supports have a diagnosed mental health problem and many also have issues with addictions. Its open access wellbeing centre focuses on both homelessness and mental health, whilst offering food, warmth, washing facilities and access to a range of other services.

What the judges said

'This charity does hugely valuable work in supporting its local community. We were impressed by how it has a big reach despite being relatively small. It shows an organisation making the best use of its resources and making a real difference to people’s lives.'

Unseen

Unseen supports survivors, who often have multiple complex health needs, to recover safely and develop resilient, independent lives by offering a range of services including sexual health and counselling services, and therapeutic activities. It also runs the national Modern Slavery Helpline, has separate safe-housing for men, women and children, and trains frontline professionals in identifying and supporting victims.

What the judges said

'Unseen is able to reach a significant number of people affected by trafficking and modern slavery, and the fact that it is expanding its services shows it is ambitious in continuing to develop and improve the support it offers to people who need it.'

Sickle Cell Society

An estimated 15,000 people in the UK have sickle cell disorder, an inherited blood disorder that mainly affects people of black African and African Caribbean heritage. It offers community-based services and influences national policy. It has a national telephone helpline offering support and information and also runs a mentoring scheme for younger people with the condition.

What the judges said

'One of the impressive things about this organisation is that it is offering services at a community level but has influenced national policy. It has been instrumental in establishing national standards of care for people with sickle cell disorder while ensuring they meet community needs.'

Runners-up 

The following organisations received a £3,000 donation:

GSK IMPACT Award winners and their videos

GSK IMPACT Awards

Read more about the awards, how to apply and previous winners.

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