Across the UK, health inequalities and rising pressures on the NHS are driving the need for smarter, more collaborative solutions. One powerful — yet underused — approach is co-locating voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations within NHS estates. From GP surgeries to community hospitals, shared spaces can unlock stronger partnerships, better use of resources, measurable cost savings, and more holistic care for local populations. This blog explores the benefits of co-location, highlights proven models already in action, and sets out why now is the time to scale this approach nationwide.
1. Stronger Integration & Collaboration
Co-locating voluntary and community groups in NHS settings (GP surgeries, community hospitals, care hubs) nurtures seamless collaboration by enabling joint teams, faster referrals, a shared vision, and multi-disciplinary working under one roof — similar to NHS “health and wellbeing centres” that combine GP, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and social support .
2. Better Use of NHS Estates & Community Resources
NHS England encourages co-locating non-medical services in modernised estates — part of programmes like the New Hospital Programme and community diagnostic centres . VCSE can access under-utilised space in GP surgeries or community hospitals, reducing overhead while embedding services into health ecosystems.
3. Enhanced Impact & Cost Savings
A report by NHS England describes VCSE input leading to clearer health outcomes and social value . Independent research indicates VCSE services reduce NHS demands, exemplified by community social support for frequent A&E users estimated to save over £1m in one city .
4. Scalable Support for Population Health
Integrated systems (ICSs) in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Humber & North Yorkshire have established VCSE leadership bodies within governance structures, pooling budgets and building collective capacity — increasing NHS VCSE spend from 0.5% to 1–3% .
5. Better Data Sharing & Evidence-Based Planning
Alignment with NHS analytics teams, as piloted in East Suffolk & North Essex, has helped VCSE’s volunteering data be included in population health planning — enabling strategic commissioning and identification of service gaps .
🏥 UK-Based Examples of Co-location in Action
Aberdeen Community Health & Care Village
Opened in 2013, this NHS Grampian hub brings together primary care, dentistry, physio, podiatry, dietetics, and community education – and hosts third-sector partners in a shared facility .
Leith Community Treatment Centre (Edinburgh)
A GP and community treatment hub opened in 2004 that regularly accommodates community workers, nurses, social workers, and mental health teams under one roof .
Monnow Vale Integrated Health & Social Care (Wales)
A collaboration between NHS, local council, and local voluntary organisations, combining health, nursing, social work, and volunteers in a unified building since 2006 .
West Wakefield Health & Wellbeing Ltd
A GP federation overseeing six practices that co-located clinical and social prescribing staff in shared premises; saved 9,000 GP hours and established care navigators integrated with VCSE services .
✅ Key Advantages of the Model
- Holistic Care Delivery
- Integrates medical, social, and voluntary support, addressing health inequalities where they arise.
- Economic Efficiency
- Shared overheads and reduced duplications, plus documented cost-savings (e.g., reduced A&E visits, freed GP time).
- Improved Access & Visibility
- Community services in NHS buildings reduce stigma and promote equitable access to support.
- Enhanced Partnerships
- Brings VCSE into NHS governance, cultivating inter-agency trust, and elevating influence in care design.
- Long-Term Sustainability
- Enables multi-year commissioning, pooled funding, and capacity building — overcoming short-term barriers .
- Evidence-Driven Commissioning
- Access to NHS data strengthens evaluation and shapes more strategic VCSE roles.
🚀 Recommendation
It’s high time for VCSE organisations to adopt shared-purpose, co-located buildings within NHS estates. This proven model:
- Reinforces integration of social and clinical care
- Enables cost-effective, sustainable service delivery
- Boosts VCSE profile within Integrated Care Systems
- Supports prevention, community wellbeing, and reduced demand on acute care
By advocating for a UK network of VCSE hubs integrated in GP practices, community hospitals, and healthcare centres — perhaps piloted regionally — the sector can rapidly accelerate capacity-building, improve health outcomes, and optimise shared assets.