The Integrated Meeting of Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards was scheduled to discuss a range of significant health and wellbeing strategies, including plans for long-term conditions, mental health initiatives, and the promotion of overall wellbeing. The meeting also intended to review updates on the Better Care Fund and consider the implications of housing on public health.

Update on the Mental Health of Black Boys and Young Men

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the project aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of Black boys and young men in Waltham Forest. This initiative seeks to enhance their aspirations, life opportunities, and educational experiences through a community-centred, non-hierarchical, transparent, and inclusive approach. The project involves collaboration between the Local Authority, NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust), and the voluntary and community sector. The report was expected to detail the recruitment of a Board for this project, with its first meeting scheduled for 16th April 2026. The report highlighted significant inequalities in mental health outcomes for this demographic, noting that Black residents are less likely to receive mental health support despite higher rates of diagnosed serious mental health issues and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Long Term Conditions Strategy and NEL Outcomes Framework

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Waltham Forest Long-Term Conditions (LTC) Strategy and the North East London (NEL) Outcomes Framework. The LTC Strategy, developed in response to a data deep dive, aims to be a high-level document supported by a detailed action plan. It focuses on four key areas: prevention and early detection, improved treatment and management, pathway development and integration, and proactive care and self-management. The draft NEL LTC Framework is designed to deliver a consistent, outcomes-driven model of care to help residents with or at risk of long-term conditions live healthier, more independent lives, improve population health, and reduce inequalities. The report recommended endorsing the draft strategy and providing steer on the delivery of the NEL framework, considering changes in Integrated Care Board (ICB) roles, staffing capacity, the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and new population health management tools.

Update on the Promoting Wellbeing Workstream

This agenda item was set to provide an overview of the progress made in the Promoting Wellbeing workstream, which focuses on preventative approaches and reducing health inequalities through collaboration between the local authority, NHS, and voluntary and community sector partners. The report was expected to include a status update on five priority areas: strengthening partnerships with the voluntary and community sector (VCS), the Borough of Sanctuary initiative, employment and health programmes, housing and health, and mental health promotion. It was also to present findings from joint system workshops held in preparation for neighbourhood development and updates on the Housing and Health priority area.

The Promoting Wellbeing Workstream has been actively working to strengthen partnerships with the VCS, transitioning from the VCS Leadership Group to the Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing Alliance. This Alliance aims to coordinate VCS involvement in neighbourhood delivery, ensuring community insight is embedded in place-based design. The Borough of Sanctuary programme has focused on advocating for migrant residents and addressing health inequalities they face. Employment initiatives, such as the 'Connect to Work' programme, aim to support residents with long-term health conditions into employment. The Housing and Health priority area is addressing the impact of the housing crisis on health, with a focus on prevention and early intervention. Mental health promotion efforts include work on the mental health of Black boys and young men, and ongoing support in schools.

The report also highlighted the development of Locality Hubs, intended to offer integrated clinical and non-clinical services in community settings to improve accessibility and reduce health inequalities. The Joint System Workshop series aimed to strengthen collaboration between the NHS, LBWF, and the VCS around neighbourhood development, with key themes emerging around partnership, funding, data, locality models, and equity. The workshops also explored commissioning for community-led prevention, identifying gaps in clarity, capacity, and trust in decision-making processes.

Better Care Fund (BCF) Annual Plan 2026/27

A report was scheduled to be presented regarding the Better Care Fund (BCF) Annual Plan for 2026/27. This would likely cover financial contributions, strategic priorities, and developments for the upcoming financial year. The BCF aims to integrate health and social care services to improve outcomes for individuals. The report was expected to outline plans for developing strategic priorities for the BCF, potentially including updates on known requirements for 2026/27, findings from the North East London (NEL) BCF Review, and a review of 2025/26 BCF priorities. The development of the 2026/27 plan would likely involve stakeholder workshops and contributions from the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Waltham Forest Town Hall.