What is an anchor?
Anchors are large organisations – whose long-term sustainability is tied to the wellbeing of the populations they serve. They are rooted in their place and connected to their communities.
Anchors include organisations such as universities, local authorities, large community organisations, businesses and hospitals.
Anchor organisations are important because they have significant assets, as well as employment and spending power and can consciously use these resources to benefit their communities. There are many ways their actions can make a difference to people’s lives within the areas where they are based, for example by:
Widening access to quality work: Being a good employer, paying people the real living wage and creating opportunities for local communities to develop skills and access jobs in health and care.
Using their spending power locally for social benefit: Purchasing supplies and services from organisations that consider their environmental, social and economic impact.
Using buildings and spaces to support communities: Widening access to community spaces, working with partners to support high-quality, affordable housing and supporting the local economy.
Reducing their environmental impact: Taking action to reduce carbon emissions, consumption and reduce waste and protect and enhance the natural environment.
Working closely with local partners: Collaborating with other local anchors, organisations, services and partners to increase and scale impact.
Listening and responding to what matters to the community: Working closely with local communities to help address local priorities and build on their energy and skills
Read more about the role of the NHS as an anchor institution on the Health Foundation's website.