Website: www.wellbeingenterprises.org.uk
Twitter: @Mark_Sw1ft
Location: Merseyside

Mark Swift has been passionate about public mental health issues, and determined to make a difference, for many years.

The organisation he founded, Wellbeing Enterprises, uses the skills of the community alongside the support of Wellbeing Officers to offer care focused on solving the social issues in people’s lives (for example, activities that help with building confidence, learn skills and make friends).

In order to offer holistic care at scale, in 2012 this approach was integrated into 17 GP practices in Halton. Since then over 7,000 patients have been supported, and the comprehensive data amassed has shown that Mark’s initiative has achieved outcomes on a par or exceeding those reached by medical intervention.

“By harnessing people power and the talent in the community,” says Mark, “we’ve shown that you can deliver better outcomes while saving money, saving lives and reducing pressure on the health services.”

In 2015 the initiative was awarded the prestigious HSJ Award for primary care innovation, and the long-term ambition for his organisation now is to place a wellbeing hub in every community in the UK. “We’ve started a movement here,” says Mark.