Vita Health Group (VHG) delivers mental and physical health services to the NHS, workforce wellbeing support for major UK employers, and physiotherapy services to private customers. They reach over 90,000 people across 40+ specialisms each year.
Beyond ‘Making People Better’ – their core purpose – VHG has another ambitious goal: to become a Social Value Leader in healthcare by 2026, ensuring every aspect of their work goes above and beyond to improve lives and strengthen communities.
Their progress has been remarkable. In 2024 alone, VHG delivered £14.2 million in Social Value. How are they turning their vision into reality? Let’s explore the initiatives making a difference.
Vita Health Group’s strategy: Social Value by design
Before embarking on their Social Value journey, VHG was already making an impact through sustainability efforts, health and wellbeing programmes, and a strong commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. They also knew their work was creating ripple effects in communities, but these efforts were happening without a unified strategy.
To bring measurable Social Value into the heart of their business, VHG partnered with Social Value Portal in 2023. Bringing multiple VHG business units into the conversation, they asked us:
“How can we better connect our purpose with our sustainability efforts, to foster a joined-up approach that guides the actions of our Group?”
Using colleague engagement, upskilling and stakeholder workshops, we co-created a comprehensive Sustainability and Social Value strategy. The strategy took their existing purpose as inspiration and articulated how VHG Make People Better sustainably through four pillars:
- Better Operations: Embedding Social Value into the core of their business practices
- Better Communities: Creating positive social and economic outcomes
- Better Opportunities: Providing meaningful employment and skill-building initiatives
- Better Planet: Championing sustainability and environmental responsibility
The basis of our approach was the concept of ‘Social Value by design’, where all elements of their services are built deliberately to deliver maximal positive community impact.
An analysis of VHG’s business model identified several repeatable and localised Social Value interventions which would answer customer and patient priorities. The strategy was brought to life with…
- A united vision ‘on a page’
- A set of defined responsibilities from bidding to delivery
- A roadmap of actions to realise the vision from 2024 through to 2026
The team from Social Value Portal made our strategy development process an exciting and unifying activity. By collaborating with colleagues from all parts of the business, we found our ‘sweet spot’, where business needs meet positive impact. This approach means we are able to deliver a generative operating model that supports value creation for our people, communities, and the planet. It’s empowering to see the progress we’ve made in our first year of partnership with Social Value Portal, and I‘m excited to continue progressing towards our ambitious goal: to become a Social Value Leader in healthcare.
Monika Szabova, Sustainability and Social Value Manager, Vita Health Group
Next, let’s explore how these four pillars are guiding initiatives across the organisation.
Better Operations
VHG’s has structured its operations to unlock a wide range of Social Value benefits, from upskilling employees and improving wellbeing to collaborating with the voluntary sector.
One of their major focuses has been Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive – here’s a snapshot:
Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
In 2024, VHG delivered expert-led EDI training to ensure staff had the knowledge and tools to create an inclusive workplace. Over 1,000 colleagues participated, and 1,587 hours were dedicated to learning about key topics like microaggressions, inclusive recruitment, and disability awareness.
During National Inclusion Week, VHG celebrated diversity through educational events and employee networks. One standout moment was a powerful panel discussion featuring lived experiences from the EDI & Sustainability Team:
Measuring equity in the workplace
VHG also participates in the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES), tracking progress on workplace equity. Their efforts are driving real improvements:
- Ethnically diverse colleagues who believe career opportunities are equal: 72.5% to 86.7% (2022/23 to 2023/24)
- Disabled colleagues who believe the same: 71% to 89% (2022/23 to 2023/24)
The Vita Health Group EDI team
Better Communities
At the heart of VHG’s mission to strengthen communities is a dedicated team of Partnership Liaison Officers (PLOs), and the Healthy Living Healthy Minds (HLHM) programme.
Empowering communities through outreach
VHG’s Partnership Liaison Officers (PLOs) work on all their NHS Talking Therapies services, ensure communities know about the services available to them, develop partnerships with the impact sector, and other initiatives of a preventive nature.
In 2024, the PLOs led several outreach initiatives to provide support to target health inequalities, from young people to new mothers and underrepresented communities:
- Schools and Universities: Including a youth leadership and mental health programmes in partnership with a college.
- Perinatal Support: Through animated workshops and collaborations, and a new Family Hub.
- Community outreach: Addressing menopause awareness, domestic violence, and digital inclusion, as well as reaching out to the Traveller community and funding Mental Health Advocacy Training.
Vita Health Group’s NHS Talking Therapies service
Spotlight: Healthy Living Healthy Minds
Meanwhile, the Healthy Living Healthy Minds (HLHM) programme empowers individuals to make positive lifestyle changes that improve both physical and mental health, focusing on exercise, nutrition, and sustainable habits.
Better Opportunities
One of VHG’s top priorities is breaking down employment barriers and strengthening local economies.
A big part of this is providing meaningful employment and career development opportunities for all colleagues.
Investing in workforce development
VHG has enhanced their Learning and Development (L&D) offering by expanding their digital platform 'The Knowledge’ to offer an incredible 617 courses.
Colleagues completed 29,126 hours of training in 2024, including e-learning courses, webinars, and face-to-face sessions.
VHG also provides numerous structured, hands-on learning apprenticeships, which provide valuable experience and culminate in recognised qualifications. 67% of participants in these apprenticeships subsequently progressed within VHG.
Leadership and mentorship programmes
VHG understands the power of mentorship and leadership training in shaping the next generation of professionals. That’s why they’ve launched multiple programmes to support career growth:
Thrive Mentoring Programme
Built on one-to-one mentoring and peer support (with alternating mentors to provide a diversity of perspectives), this programme fosters professional development. With 56% of participants advancing in their careers, the programme was shortlisted for the HR Impact Award by Personnel Today.
Leadership Essentials Course
A new two-day training course providing practical leadership tools – communication skills, team leadership, and managing difficult conversations – attended by 48 managers.
Aspire Leadership Programme
This six-month programme is focused on enhancing managerial skills and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Better Planet: Championing Sustainability and Community Action
As part of its commitment to sustainability, VHG has is enabling its employees to contribute to environmental and community causes through the Vita Volunteers programme.
Spotlight: Vita Volunteers
Every VHG employee is encouraged to dedicate one fully paid day per year to non-profit, community, or environmental initiatives of their choice.
In 2024, VHG made it easier than ever to get involved by Introducing a streamlined application process and launching a dedicated Teams channel to connect volunteers with opportunities.
Spotlight: Facilities Team Beach Clean
The Facilities Team Beach Clean was a standout initiative, with five bags of plastic and general waste removed from Herne Bay’s shoreline.
The team felt they made a difference to the area, and it was a great achievement.
Facilities Team Beach Clean volunteer
Facilities Team Beach Clean volunteers
Looking ahead: Social Value at Vita Health Group
Vita Health Group has already made a big impact – but this is just the beginning.
Even more exciting initiatives are on the horizon as VHG continues to break new ground for Social Value can look like in the healthcare sector.
VHG has truly understood and applied the spirit of Social Value ‘by design’, with each component of their operations considered for the additional, positive outcome it could create. Rather than using the TOM System purely as a reporting framework, the measures are first and foremost a business design tool used when new services are being established. It's innovations like this and more which makes them one of the organisations to watch in the health sector. We’re excited to see what more they will achieve as they continue their journey.
Ed Lang, Head of Strategic Advisory, Social Value Portal
As they push forward, we encourage the entire healthcare industry to watch the brilliant work VHG is doing, paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and socially impactful future.
For a deeper dive into their journey, read the full Vita Health Group Impact Report 2024.
.svg){kind=small}
