Centres and Institutes

Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub

An outdoor shot of the Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub, a large white building with lots of windows, a tree is on the right hand side and daffodils are in the foreground.

Making a difference regionally, nationally and internationally

A state-of-the-art Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub is being created at the latest £10.7m phase of Parkside at the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park on the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.

The Hub is established with the support of NHS England and in collaboration with our regional NHS Integrated Care Boards as a centre of excellence in health and care-related research and workforce development.

A range of community-facing services, student placement opportunities, workforce development, training and research will be offered in a range of settings through the Hub, both on the Campus and in the community. The Hub will offer face-to-face and online services to maximise accessibility and impact.

Photo looking over the shoulder of someone who is writing notes about the anatomy of the pharynx
Our services

We offer a range of services for children and adults, from facilitating mobility and enhancing cognition, to supporting communication and promoting mental health.

Learn more
Professor Victoria Joffe
“Our aim is to collaborate closely with our partners across integrated care systems, and with the local community, and develop impactful and innovative services which support and enhance existing provision and lead to exciting interdisciplinary placement opportunities for our students. We also want to pioneer practice-based real-world research which will build a stronger and more robust evidence base and improvements in health and wellbeing services."
Victoria Joffee Dean of Integrated Health and Care Partnerships School of Health and Social Care

Our vision

Support the University’s vision to be recognised as a centre of excellence in health-related research and workforce development through the creation of community orientated services delivering material improvements to public health and wellbeing.

Support the development of a resilient health and wellbeing workforce, trained and equipped to address future health threats.

Provide easy access for partners to benefit from the University’s knowledge and expertise, skills and talent-base, enabling partnerships within health and care-related sectors.

Our mission

Taking a lead on developments and innovations in health and social care training and provision, the Hub will address the health and care needs of the region, specifically targeting gaps and areas of highest need. The Hub aims to bring people in the community together, and support and enhance their physical and mental health and wellbeing through a range of intervention and support provision.

These services will be delivered by supervised students studying nursing, oral health science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social work, clinical psychology, law, sports science, computing and related subjects.

Our solution

Areas targeted will be selected and co-produced with partners across the Integrated Care Systems, and service users, and will align with NHS priorities and highest health and care needs including falls prevention, memory clinic, health promotion, health checks, and interdisciplinary support for children, young people and adults with multiple and complex health and wellbeing needs.

The Hub will generate high-quality placements for Essex students who are the future health and care workforce. There will also be opportunities for workforce development including a wide portfolio of training for continuous professional and personal development.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is overseeing service provision on behalf of Health Education England.

David O'Mahony profile picture in a striped blue shirt
“This has been an incredibly exciting project to develop with partners – who have been very supportive. The launch of the Hub shows the University’s commitment to supporting services in our communities.”
Professor David O’Mahony Dean of Partnerships Essex Law School

Our Services

Meet the team

Therapists

A team of dedicated and compassionate interdisciplinary therapists who play a crucial role in designing and implementing the clinical services in the Hub and outreach, and provide clinal teaching, and clinical supervision to students working in the Hub. Work with both staff and students to develop clinical placements and oversee and supervise student engagement with a diverse range of service users, including children and adults with developmental and acquired motor, speech, cognitive, language and communication difficulties, individuals with genetic conditions, adults recovering from stroke or another form of brain injury, and individuals with mental health needs.

A student on their mobile phone
Get in touch
Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub
Clingoe House, Knowledge Gateway, University of Essex, Boundary Road, Colchester, CO4 3GS
Telephone: 01206872460