Assura : People and property, an empowering partnership

A new collaboration between the private property sector, health and charity sectors offers an exciting blueprint for the delivery of integrated health and wellbeing support to communities.

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre, a pioneering charity and social enterprise that has been serving their local community in East London for nearly 40 years.

As part of the partnership, we have invested in one of the buildings at the Bromley by Bow Centre site, which will continue to house the Bromley by Bow GP Practice. In addition, the partnership will see us support and strengthen the ongoing work of the charity whilst it continues to meet the most pressing needs of a community experiencing high levels of deprivation.

Karen Nolan, our Social Impact Lead explains, "Assura are really focused on increasing the positive social impact created through our partnerships and developments. I have been familiar with the excellent, community-focused work of the Bromley by Bow Centre for many years and I am excited to see how we can support and learn from each other over the coming years.

"This collaboration of people and property, private and voluntary sector, will allow the integrated work of the centre to be shared even further, providing best practice to other healthcare teams across a UK wide portfolio"

Elly De Decker, Chief Executive for The Bromley by Bow Centre comments, "The Bromley by Bow Centre has long understood the link between health and social issues and offers a tangible solution by bringing together healthcare and social support into a holistic, integrated approach.

"The partnership with Assura is an ideal fit for both organisations. Assura develops and manages high quality, sustainable medical centres that provide crucial infrastructure for the local health economy. Their investment enables us to maintain our core focus; maintaining a thriving charity at the heart of its community, delivering quality local services.

"At the same time, this new partnership underpins our ambitious plans for the future to further build on our world-renowned, radical approach to community health that addresses the impact of poverty and social factors driving ill-health in the most challenged neighbourhoods in a sustainable way."

Real estate partner Stephen Laud and associate Stephanie Sagar, of law firm Stephenson Harwood, provided pro bono advice to The Bromley by Bow Centre in relation to the sale of the building at the Bromley by Bow Centre site. The firm has a long-standing relationship with the charity, including providing financial support and a suite of pro bono legal advice, covering employment, commercial and outsourcing, and finance.