KMPT marks continued commitment to social value with launch of impact report
Date added: 20 March 2024
The largest provider of mental health care in Kent and Medway, KMPT has launched an impact report on the purpose-led changes it has delivered, and continues to deliver, to create social value for its people, patients and communities.
The trust developed the report in partnership with the Purpose Health and Social Care Coalition, to tackle inequality across the region and help to level up the country. It maps activities across 14 purpose goals which correlate with the barriers that can prevent equality of opportunity.
Serving some of the most deprived communities in the UK, KMPT recognises its unique and vital role as not only an employer but an institution that can provide positive action by working collaboratively with healthcare partners and like-minded organisations.
Trust Chief Executive Sheila Stenson said: “This report is just the start of our social impact journey. One in four of us will experience poor mental health at some point in our lives; we are confident we can go beyond our ‘day job’ and use our position and affiliation with the Purpose Health and Social Care Coalition to do more.
“As we continue to care for more people in the local community, and address key issues impacting them, we are even better placed to help people live well and address regional imbalances.”
Committed to adding social value by supporting healthier communities through the specialist services and care it provides, the trust’s new report focuses on good health and wellbeing; its ambitious social impact agenda includes improving the wellbeing and health of staff, which account for over 3,500 people in Kent and represent 66 nationalities.
The impact report demonstrates the steps KMPT has already taken to help tackle inequalities and poor health and socio-economic conditions across the county. Its continued collaboration with the coalition strengthens its allegiance with local and national partners, while working collectively to break down barriers to opportunity.
From localised education and recruitment outreach programmes to targeted schemes to close the digital divide for service users and their caregivers, the trust’s good practice also highlights its wider reach, including creating sustainable communities, promoting inclusivity and diversity and championing equality.
Presenting the Impact Report to KMPT’s Board, Purpose Health & Social Care Director and former Public Health Minister, Rt Hon Anne Milton, said: “I am very impressed will all that has been achieved and this has been a great opportunity to talk about the impact report; we discussed the trust’s plans for the future and where they see the next steps for them will be.”
Recommendations where the trust can make even more of an impact on its colleagues, patients and the wider communities it serves are also identified in the report. Together, KMPT and the Purpose Health and Social Care Coalition has already initiated work on some of these recommendations: scaling up outreach activities through strategic community assessment to target those in most need and forging a regional partnership with fellow member, Southeastern Railway, to pioneer an innovative approach to mental health provision and community engagement.
