Current Activities

Healthier Wealthier Children (HWC)

The Healthier Wealthier Children project continues to provide evidence of financial gain, debt reduction and reduced stress for NHS patients. 

Launched in November 2010, HWC offers income maximisation advice for families experiencing child poverty. It also aims to prevent families from falling into poverty by working with Midwives, Health Visitors and other health staff offering services to young children to identify those at risk.

The project has now received over 2800 referrals to its service, with families experiencing increases in their annual income that can make a positive impact on family life.

In Inverclyde, Barnardos, the NHS and other agencies such as the Money Advice Service, work closely together to meet the needs of pregnant women with complex needs, where money and debt worries are often hidden.  This joint working appears to be resulting in increased engagement from women and better outcomes.  For more examples of innovative practice, go to the HWC website.

As Healthier Wealthier Children moves to an end phase, there is evidence that most NHSGGC areas have embedded this comprehensive approach into Early Years and Money Advice Services work. 

The project has presented at a number of national conferences over the last few months, which has generated interest from a number of other Health Boards.  

Other developments include:

• Good Practice Guidelines for referrals to Money Advice Services

• NHSGGC child poverty performance indicators

• A dissemination strategy which links with a number of Scottish Government departments, NHS Education Scotland and Health Scotland.  

The Scottish Government recognise the wealth of mainstreaming work carried out and are considering some funding for 2012/13.  The project’s final report is due June 2012.

For more information on the project and to read examples of families’ stories go to the HWC web site.

The HWC project has informed NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s responses to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the National Child Poverty Strategy and the UK Consultation on Universal Credit

To view the NHSGGC Consultation Response to Child Poverty Strategy, click here.

To view the NHSGGC Consultation Response to Passported Benefits, click here.