About us

Eynsham has been identified as a ‘Healthy Ageing Hub’ and is now in partnership with the Oxford University Institute of Population Ageing, with funding from the Helen Hamlyn Trust. The aim is to develop initiatives, and support existing services, that improve the quality of life, longevity, and wellbeing for the elderly residents in our village. Funding has been secured for the next three years, starting January 1 2026 and will be coordinated and overseen by Mark Johnson. During this period a research team from the Institute will measure the impact of the scheme. There are two other Helen Hamlyn Hubs in Oxfordshire (Chipping Norton and Cutteslowe) taking part in the study.

EPlCS Healthy Ageing Community Hubs (2025–2028) Summary

The Healthy Ageing Hubs initiative, part of the EPlCS research programme led by Professor Sarah Harper at the University of Oxford Institute for Population Ageing, aims to address growing pressures on health and social care systems caused by ageing populations, austerity, and post-COVID challenges. It aligns with NHS policy priorities to shift care from hospitals to community-based, preventative approaches. The programme is funded by the Helen Hamlyn Trust.

The project is built on a conceptual model identifying six key factors for healthy ageing: diet, exercise, social interaction, healthcare integration, and supportive built and natural environments. Providing access to these within local communities is expected to improve wellbeing and delay dependency among older adults.

The main aim is to help older people remain independent and live at home longer by strengthening community services and reducing reliance on formal care systems. This is pursued through integrated, person-centred care, improved access to services, community engagement, and support for both formal and informal carers.

Three pilot hubs in diverse Oxfordshire communities (urban disadvantaged, rural town, and village) have been established using existing local facilities. Each hub collaborates with healthcare providers, voluntary organisations, and local stakeholders to deliver services, activities, and support tailored to local needs. 

The Helen Hamlyn Hub Eynsham is coordinated, on a voluntary basis, by Mark Johnson, a resident in the village and treasurer of the Monday Club.

The project, which will run for three years, uses a mixed-methods evaluation. Quantitative analysis draws on health and social care data to measure outcomes such as service use, health transitions, and cost-effectiveness. Qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups, captures lived experiences and supports co-designed improvements.

Overall, the initiative seeks to demonstrate that community-based, integrated care models can enhance wellbeing, reduce health inequalities, and delay the need for intensive care among older populations.

Follow this link to read the full article: www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/about/epics