Building healthier, more prosperous communities – UKRI

This investment will help to address an urgent health challenge.

It will support the NHS’s shift from ‘sickness service’ to prevention while driving economic growth, supporting local enterprise, and aligns with the government’s Plan for Change.

By backing projects that help people to eat well and move more, Innovate UK is creating new opportunities for businesses and social enterprises to generate revenue and create skilled jobs nationwide.

Business growth

These projects are funded through Innovate UK Contracts for Innovation, a mechanism that enables innovative organisations to work directly with the public sector to solve complex challenges.

This approach creates a powerful route to market for new ideas and technologies, providing 100% funding and early adoption opportunities that help businesses:

• commercialise solutions
• build valuable partnerships
• accelerate growth

Tackling the UK’s health challenges

Poor diet and inactivity are among the most pressing health challenges facing the UK today.

With millions affected by obesity, diabetes, and related conditions, the need for innovative, scalable solutions has never been greater.

These projects are designed to empower communities, tackle health inequalities, and create lasting change.

This investment directly supports the government’s mission to reduce health inequalities, relieve pressure on NHS services, and foster innovation-led growth.

The NHS 10 Year Health Plan places obesity at the heart of its prevention strategy, recognising it as a major driver of chronic disease and health inequality.

Delivering real-world impact

From digital platforms to hands-on support, these community innovations are committed to robust evaluation, sharing learning, and scaling what works.

One project will deliver affordable, healthy meal kits and cookery classes to low-income families, building food skills, confidence, and pathways to better health and employment.

Another will support 2,000 people with hip or knee osteoarthritis to stay active, eat well and manage pain and mental health while awaiting NHS care.

There is also support for prediabetic residents, promoting physical activity, healthier lifestyles, and improved wellbeing to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

A digital trail platform will encourage people to move more.

Whether its school children staying active during lessons, community-hosted family wellbeing trails, or businesses supporting staff to take active breaks.

Innovation that breaks down barriers

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

We all know that eating well and being as active as possible are key pillars of a healthy life. But that’s often easier said than done.

So we’re backing innovation that breaks down barriers to healthier living, from apps offering nutritious recipes to platforms helping children get more exercise.

This is part of the government’s commitment to use technology to improve people’s lives and create a future that works for all.

Supporting a healthier future

Dr Cynthia Bullock, Director of Healthy Lives at Innovate UK, said:

Community-led innovations have a key role in tackling the UK’s health challenges and driving business growth.

By supporting these initiatives through Contracts for Innovation, we’re investing in practical, locally driven approaches rooted in lived experience that improve wellbeing and reduce health inequalities, while also creating new opportunities for businesses to grow and deliver long-term value for the UK economy and public services.