The programme operates in partnership with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall Council, Volunteer Cornwall and Age UK Cornwall.

Amerjit Chohan, chief executive of Helpforce, said: ‘Cornwall has created a blueprint for neighbourhood health – demonstrating how the NHS, local authorities and voluntary organisations can work together to support people closer to home.'

An independent evaluation of Cornwall's Community Gateway and Hub Network found it saved the NHS an estimated £11.6m in one year alone by helping people access earlier support in their communities and reducing demand for GP appointments, emergency departments and ambulance call-outs.

The Cornwall model combines a seven-day Community Gateway service, directing people to appropriate support, with a network of more than 50 community hubs providing practical and wellbeing help close to home.

The hubs support residents with issues including loneliness, mental health, long-term conditions such as dementia and strokes, caring responsibilities, falls prevention, healthy eating, debt and housing challenges.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the scheme recorded 339,951 attendances handled 54,814 contacts, created 5,274 personalised support plans and made 2,287 healthcare referrals.

Helpforce's analysis suggests that without the hubs 24% of users would have visited their GP, 8% would have gone to hospital and 6% would have called 999.

Aisling Crombie, director of nursing at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, said: ‘We are seeing first-hand how the Community Gateway and Hub Network supports residents across Cornwall to stay well and maintain their independence. By working closely with voluntary sector partners we can support people earlier and in a more personalised way, which is helping to reduce demand on frontline NHS services.'