Age UK Norwich wins prestigious national GSK IMPACT Award

We’re proud to share that Age UK Norwich has won one of the UK’s most respected awards for health and care charities.

We have been named as one of the winners of the 2026 GSK IMPACT Awards, a national recognition run by global biopharma company GSK in partnership with The King’s Fund. The awards recognise outstanding small and medium-sized charities working to improve people’s health and wellbeing across the UK.

Following a rigorous selection and assessment process, we were chosen from a record number of applicants as one of just ten winners across the UK. As part of the award, we will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding and take part in a highly respected leadership development programme delivered by The King’s Fund.

Supporting people to stay independent

The award recognises our work helping people aged 50 and over across Greater Norwich and surrounding areas to stay healthy, independent and connected.

We provide a wide range of services including health coaching, befriending, information and advice, community groups, and advocacy support. Judges were particularly impressed by our health coaching service, which supports people experiencing reduced mobility, fear of falling or social anxiety. Participants receive personalised support from a health coach, including gentle exercise, hydration and nutrition advice, and help connecting with local social opportunities.

We also use GaitSmart technology to monitor movement and help prevent falls - one of the most common causes of injury and hospital admission for people over 65. In 2024/25, more than 2,600 people improved their strength, balance and confidence through the service.

Lisa Weaks, Senior Associate at The King’s Fund, said “Age UK Norwich is an outstanding example of how strong local partnerships, nonintrusive smart technology and robust data can support older residents to stay healthy, connected and independent for longer. What really sets the charity apart is its deep understanding of the community it serves, as well as its evidence-led approach. Its exceptional contribution to supporting thousands of residents across Norwich is rightly being recognised through the 2026 GSK IMPACT Awards.”

Supporting thousands of local residents

Demand for our services continues to grow. The Office for National Statistics predicts that by 2040, 40% of Norfolk’s population will be of dependent age, and the number of residents aged over 85 is expected to double.

In 2024/25 we supported almost 8,000 people, a 38% increase on the previous year. This included nearly 6,000 welfare checks, more than 3,300 befriending calls, and a wide range of social and wellbeing activities designed to help people stay connected and active.

We also run more than 30 regular clubs, delivering almost 800 group sessions, trips and activities each year across Norwich.

Our Chief Executive Dan Skipper said: 

“The whole charity team is delighted. This recognition marks years of work, shaping our services with clients and partners to evidence the impact we’re making – not just to older people, but the healthcare system and wider society. We were proud to have two of our services featured in Prof. Sir Chris Whitty’s Chief Medical Officers Report – Health in an Ageing Society in 2023, and by adding this prodigious award, I hope it will shine a light on the impact Age UK Norwich is making, and encourage stakeholders in the city and county to reach out to us, to unlock the potential they have on their doorstep."

The GSK IMPACT Awards, now in their 29th year, are widely recognised as a hallmark of excellence in the charity health sector. Since 1997, more than 570 charities across the UK have received the award.

We are incredibly proud that our work supporting older residents across Norwich has been recognised in this way, and we look forward to continuing to develop services that help people stay healthy, independent and connected for longer.