How it works · 2026/27
Our project plan
Each year the Community Connectors write a plan for the year ahead, built on what partners raise at the gatherings. Here's how that works, and what this year's plan sets out to do.
How project plans work
The Community Connector service is funded by NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). Every area, or lot, writes an annual project plan for it. Sleaford is part of Lot 9, Sleaford, so our plan covers Sleaford town (including Quarrington, Holdingham and Greylees) and the surrounding villages, including Ruskington, Cranwell, Heckington, Billinghay and Ancaster.
Each plan sets out a shared picture of where the area wants to get to, at least three local priorities, and how each one helps with the everyday things that shape health, such as having friends and people around you, a secure home, and a job or something meaningful to do.
The priorities come from the gatherings: what partners say is getting in the way, and what they think would help. We report progress every three months, and what happens shows up in You said, we did.
- ListenPartners raise needs and gaps at the gatherings
- PlanThe most important ones become the year's priorities
- ActConnectors and partners work on them together
- Report backEvery three months, and in You said, we did
The lenses we use
Job, Home, Friend
A simple way of looking at what keeps people well, and the lens every priority in the plan is looked at through.
Something meaningful to do: paid work where people want it, but also volunteering, learning, training and a routine.
A safe, settled place to live, and the help to keep it: housing problems, repairs, debt and bills.
People around you: friendships, belonging and regular contact, so fewer people are lonely or cut off.
The six outcomes
The ICB asks every plan to show how its work lines up with six outcomes for mental health, dementia, learning disabilities and autism (MHDLDA). We count what we do; the outcomes themselves come about through the partners and services people are connected to, over a longer time, so we claim a contribution, not the credit.
- 1Fewer children and adults with mental ill health
- 2Fewer people in mental health crisis
- 3People as independent as possible
- 4More people with meaningful occupation
- 5Better quality of life
- 6More people living longer in good health
This year's plan · 2026/27 · written October 2026
Where we want to get to
We want anyone in Sleaford or the surrounding villages who is struggling to be able to get support close to home, in a familiar local place, the same week. They should be met by someone they know, or someone who walks in with them. What they find should lead somewhere: a group, a role, a course, practical help or a route into work. And the partners who meet them should be able to find each other quickly, so nobody is passed from service to service.
Four priorities
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Gatherings that partners shape
Run gatherings in the way partners have asked for, and help partners stay in touch between them.
In Sleaford
- Gatherings on 24 November 2026, 26 January and 16 March 2027
- Make gatherings easier to hear and to join, with fewer round-the-room updates
- A written partner bulletin before each gathering, also printed as a what's-on sheet for venues, hubs and GP practices
- Bring people with lived experience into the room, working with LPFT's Every Voice
- A shared web page for the Sleaford gathering, with a partner directory that partners choose to join
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Wellbeing hubs that don't depend on one person
Help the Meadow in Ruskington and The Door at Riverside Church build a volunteer team, so the hubs stay safe, welcoming and open every week.
In Sleaford
- At least two trained volunteers for each session by January 2027
- Both host churches leading volunteer recruitment by Christmas 2026
- A 'meet your social prescribers' event at the Meadow
-
Military families living off-base
Help local support reach military families who live away from the RAF stations, working with the other Bridge Community Connectors and North Kesteven District Council.
In Sleaford
- Agree Community Connector cover for Sleaford, Greylees and Cranwell
- Invite the Armed Forces Covenant team and the Sleaford Methodist Welcome Hub to a gathering
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Support closer to home
Ask local venues to offer a free room for NHS and community appointments, next to groups people can join, with a clear next step into volunteering and work.
In Sleaford
- Three venues signed up by March 2027, including at least one in a village and one that isn't a church
- A one-page 'from the door to work' route with Connect to Work, Station House and the DWP
Looking ahead
Next year's plan (2027/28)
We'll write next year's plan from what partners raise at the gatherings. These are already likely to be in it:
Welcoming newer communities
Partners raised the need to welcome displaced and newer communities, including Ukrainian families, and to map who supports which communities. The plan holds this over for next year.
A buddy to help people through the door
The Friend table asked for a buddy to encourage people to get to groups. A formal buddy scheme is held over for next year.
Dementia and neurodivergence
Partners asked for better dementia support for families and for neurodivergence support. Both are held over for next year.
Transport gaps
Transport came up at every table in September. A transport gaps project is held over for next year.
Help shape next year's plan
The best way is to come along to a gathering and say what you're seeing locally.