Today, Stephen nominated the Healthier Wealthier Families programme in Newham for the Health Equalities award in the 2024 NHS Parliamentary Awards.
Healthier Wealthier Families programme was launched in February 2023. It aims to improve the financial wellbeing of children and their families supported by Specialist Children & Young People’s Services (SCYPS).
Many parents looking after children with complex medical needs are unable to work, because of their caring responsibilities. Working in partnership with Our Money Newham, the programme offers families free debt, budgeting, and benefits advice, helping families receive more than £4,500 extra income each.
One family helped by the programme said, “Now we get the foodstuff. We can get bulk shopping… the money can go further. We can eat properly.”
The NHS Parliamentary Awards were set up in 2018 to celebrate the NHS’s 70th birthday. Members of Parliament can nominate NHS staff, teams, and programmes from their constituency to recognise their contribution across ten categories. This year, Stephen nominated Healthier Wealthier Families for the Health Equalities award.
“I am delighted to nominate Healthier Wealthier Families for the NHS Parliamentary Awards,” Stephen said. “They have helped many families across Newham through the worst of the cost-of-living crisis. Their hard work deserves recognition.”