Cornwall community health project saves NHS £11.6m and eases service pressure
31st March 2026
The Cornwall Community Gateway and Hub Network is making a powerful difference by helping local people stay healthier and happier while saving the NHS an estimated £11.6 million in just one year. This partnership between the NHS and voluntary sector connects residents to early, personalised support close to home, easing pressure on GP practices, emergency departments, and ambulance services.
With over 50 community hubs across Cornwall, people can access safe, trusted spaces for help with mental health, carers’ support, falls prevention, long-term conditions, healthy eating, social connection, and practical issues like money worries and housing. The Community Gateway complements these hubs with a dedicated phone line open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, directing people to the right health, care, or voluntary support.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the hubs recorded nearly 340,000 attendances. The Gateway managed over 54,000 contacts, developed more than 5,200 personalised support plans, and made over 2,200 healthcare referrals. Helpforce’s research shows that without this network, 24% of users would have visited their GP, 8% would have gone to hospital, and 6% would have called 999. This shift in demand has generated the estimated £11.6 million in NHS savings.
Cornwall faces unique health challenges, including an ageing population and higher rates of long-term illness. Nearly a quarter of residents are aged 65 or older, many living with disabilities or chronic conditions. The Gateway and Hubs help people stay well and independent by providing personalised, community-based support tailored to their needs.
The wellbeing benefits are clear:
- 88% of hub users feel less isolated
- 93% report improved mood
- 85% say their self-esteem has increased
- Confidence in managing health rose from 59% to 88%
These outcomes show how the network reduces pressure on health services and transforms lives.
One inspiring story is Tess Patten, a 72-year-old Penzance resident who found the Pengarth Hub a vital lifeline after bereavement and financial struggles.
“Suddenly
I had caring people to talk to, and support was on hand if I needed it. Now I constantly look forward to visiting the hub, knowing that if I need help
it’s always there"
The hub helped Tess regain confidence, manage finances, and avoid a health decline that might have led to hospital admission. Tess now looks forward to visiting the hub, knowing support is always there.
The Cornwall Community Gateway and Hub Network is a collaboration between Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, Volunteer Cornwall, Age UK Cornwall, and Cornwall Council. Part-funded by Cornwall Integrated Care Board and overseen by Volunteer Cornwall, this model shows how voluntary and community organisations can transform healthcare delivery.
Helpforce’s independent evaluation highlights the network as a blueprint for the NHS 10-Year Health Plan’s goal to shift care into neighbourhoods, focusing on prevention and early intervention. By connecting residents to early, personalised support in trusted local spaces, the network reduces reliance on hospitals, tackles rising demand, and helps people stay well longer.
Residents can access the Community Gateway by calling 01872 266383 or emailing welcome@kernowgateway.org.uk. The service operates daily from 8am to 8pm, including holidays. To find your nearest community hub, visit https://www.volunteercornwall....
This network demonstrates the power of working alongside communities to improve health outcomes and create sustainable system benefits — a model worth scaling across the UK.