Anchors activities in practice
Organisations have used the framework in different ways to support self-assessment and discussion across teams.
Many shared relevant sections with colleagues in areas such as:
- procurement
- estates and facilities
- sustainability
- workforce development
They then worked together to score their organisation and agree ways to improve.
How organisations have applied the framework
Here are some examples of how the framework has been applied:
- A national NHS Board launched employability plans to support apprenticeships and targeted routes into work for disadvantaged groups.
- A national NHS Board worked closely with local communities and organisations to open up access to green space.
- Community Planning Partnerships secured commitment to Living Wage accreditation and Fair Work principles.
- A local Anchor Procurement Network was created across Community Planning Partnerships to develop new opportunities to build community wealth.
- A rural NHS Board developed a local Asset Transfer Network to compare approaches and share learning.
Endorsements
Read testimonials from NHS boards about using the Anchors Progression Framework.
Completing the exercise helped identify areas for improvement, and the scoring system enabled us to articulate what that improvement could look like.
This in turn allowed us to set targets for different kinds of activity.
The framework provided a shared understanding of what "good" looks like, where we are on our journey, and helped us form specific action plans to improve in relevant areas by engaging in specific projects (for example, procurement) or collaborating more closely on initiatives with our regional partnership at Glasgow City region.
Discussing scores and ratings helped nurture relationships with partners and deepen understanding of each other's roles and contributions to community wealth building and anchor activities.
The framework provided a platform for wider engagement, leading to the formation of new groups and driving forward additional work.
It created safe and brave spaces to challenge and support each other, celebrate successes, and learn from one another.