Integrated health award winners 2008

FIH are delighted to announce the winners of our 2008 Integrated Health Awards. All are invited to our glittering ceremony at the King's Fund on 13 May 2009 to receive their prizes.

The winning projects represent all the stages of life. They have taken integrated approaches into some of the most difficult situations - including help for street sex workers and prisoners. There are also exceptional projects with cancer sufferers, the very old and the troubled young. Some, but not all, can treat the ills of the body. All are united in reaching into the hearts and minds of their users - listening with respect and treating with agreement.

Three additional winners in the categories of GP surgery, PCT and Practice-based commissioning will be announced at the ceremony.

Winner: England

Escape from the streets for Bristol's female sex workers

The women who end up selling sex on the streets of Bristol are usually at the end of a long history of dispossession and abuse - many come from the care system, are addicted to drugs and are being pimped by their 'boyfriends'. Many die and those who live are often regarded as a social nuisance. One25's extraordinary service brings food, counselling and medical services to women in this situation. As a result, many have left sex work behind, reclaimed their children from care and now lead normal lives.

Runner up: England

The Sara Lee Trust

The Sara Lee Trust offers complementary therapies, psychological support and access to nature for patients suffering from cancer. Created at a time when it was still unusual for hospices to offer counselling, the charity has lived through huge change. But, as FIH discovered, there are still many people who would have little support during or after their orthodox cancer treatment without Sara Lee's support. Helping patients turn back to life, or face death with dignity, they are an essential support for many of their users.

Winner: Northern Ireland

Getting it together

Teenagers generally don't listen to adult preaching, they listen to their peer group - which is why so many worthy campaigns aimed at this age group fail. The 'Getting it together' project is designed by young people, for young people, covering issues from self esteem, to depression, to having children, dealing with drugs and finding useful work. It's supported by Western Health and Social Trust who say it's been the most effective way of talking to this age group that they've tried for years.

Runner up: Northern Ireland

Green Gyms

Access to gardens and the pleasure of growing things can be restricted to the better off in some city areas. Green Gyms help people from schoolchildren to psychiatric patients to pensioners improve their fitness, their neighbourhood, their diet and their social circle all in one cold, muddy, messy, inspiring project.

Winner: Scotland

Pathways to work condition management programme

People with chronic conditions can languish in unemployment for years - gradually losing hope and skills and often becoming socially isolated. This Clyde-based project bridges the gap between the Job Centre and the NHS, giving people space, talking therapies, integrated advice and exercise to help improve their condition. Not everyone returns to paid work, but in just six months many completely turn their lives around.

Runner up: Scotland

The Haven

For several years the Haven has offered a safe place, talk, homeliness and complementary therapies for those living with cancer, MS and motor neurone disease. Now they've expanded their service with walks and gym access for those who are relatively well and home complementary therapies - even in the final days of life - for the very ill. Many travel across the county to use this exceptional service.

Winner: Wales

Eco Learning at EcoDysgu

Young people may fail at school and get into trouble with the police because the education they are receiving doesn't teach them how to deal with the griefs in their lives, or tap into their intelligence in the right way.

EcoDysgu offers a very different approach: combining healing, good food and practical projects at a run down farm in the midst of a big wood on the outskirts of Bridgend. The results are transformational, as schools, police and social services have all testified.

Runner up: Wales

Depression busting

Many embark on a period of depression, prozac in hand, thinking that the drugs will sort them out in a few weeks. But for many this doesn't work. Unemployment and long, passive periods on a waiting list for psychological support may be the result. Depression busting is a course for people with depression, by people who've recovered, helping them to take proactive steps to combat their illness. Now operating out of doctors' surgeries in South Wales, it gives a far more rounded approach to tackling what can be a very serious, debilitating illness.

Judges' Special Prize: Winner

ExtraCare for the third age

So many regard 'old people's homes' with fear and dread. At the Warrington Extracare complex, people in their fifties are queueing up to buy or rent a flat - knowing that they can have as much or as little support as they need for the rest of their lives. There's also access to a gym, fitness classes, regular health checks, swimming, fruit and veg and complementary care. And it's all affordable on a State pension. We believe this scheme - which has the buzzing atmosphere of a university halls of residence - should be the pattern for third age provision in the future.

Judges' Special Prize: Runner up

Positive Images

To care for your body and be a useful member of society, you have to value yourself. Positive Images works with women who are in prison to help them make good choices - turning away from street drugs and 'making time' rather than 'doing time'.

Practice Based Commissioning Award

St Albans and Harpenden Practice Based commissioning group have won our PCB award for their groundbreaking work using acupuncture as an alternative to surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. Read about their work at Midway surgery, St Albans.

GP Practice Award

Patford House Surgery in Wiltshire has won our GP practice award for its work in tackling obesity with primary school children.

Primary Care Trust Award

Berkshire East PCT have won an award for their support of integrated approaches in their area.