Food, Health, Care & Wellbeing

Introduction

Sheffield is a city marked by deep and persistent inequalities, where some neighbourhoods rank among the most deprived in England. In these communities, many residents face overlapping challenges linked to food insecurity, poor health, limited access to social care, and broader threats to well-being.

Poverty levels are high, and many families, including a growing number of children, struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, heating, and hygiene products. The situation has worsened in recent years due to the cost-of-living crisis, which continues to place pressure on already vulnerable households.

UK inflation reached a 41-year high in late 2022, peaking at 11.1% in October [1]. Although inflation has since eased, the cost of food and energy remains sharply elevated. By 2023, food prices were over 30% higher than just three years earlier [1]. Low-income households, which spend a larger proportion of their earnings on essentials, experience these rises more acutely, meaning the real impact of inflation is far greater for those already struggling.

This has translated into hardship on multiple fronts, including the rising demand at food banks, warm spaces, and community kitchens. At the same time, many of the neighbourhoods facing these issues also experience long-term illness or disability, and low digital access, which limits awareness of support schemes.

These challenges in food, health, care and wellbeing are straining local support systems. Health services report greater demand as financial stress and poor living conditions contribute to deteriorating health. Rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues have risen, attributed in part to the pressures of debt, unemployment and social isolation. General practitioners and community health workers in deprived wards observe more cases of stress-related illness and even signs of malnutrition or weight loss among patients — conditions closely linked to poverty. Likewise, social care providers are witnessing increased needs: more elderly residents require assistance because they cannot afford proper nutrition, heating, and families already in difficulty have less capacity to care for aging or disabled relatives.

Projects

26: Affordable Healthy Food Access

Access to affordable, healthy food is a growing challenge in many parts of Sheffield. Rising prices, limited local options, and cuts to services mean that low-income families often struggle to buy fresh, nutritious ingredients. In some areas, residents rely on cheap, processed food or emergency food banks just to get by.

This lack of healthy options contributes to diet-related health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and malnutrition, especially among children. At the same time, good food is being wasted due to inefficiencies in supply chains or a lack of redistribution systems.

Student challenge: How can we improve access to low-cost, healthy food in Sheffield’s most deprived communities? Could we design food co-ops, mobile grocers, surplus food systems, or shared cooking facilities that help families eat well on a tight budget and reduce food waste in the process?

27: Access to Health Services

In many of Sheffield's most deprived areas, access to healthcare is limited. Residents may live far from clinics, face long waiting times, or struggle with transportation costs. These barriers make it harder to access routine care, screenings, or early treatment, leading to higher rates of untreated chronic illness and avoidable health inequalities.

Lack of access often affects those already at higher risk, including older adults, disabled people, and those with limited mobility or digital access. While services like telehealth and mobile clinics are beginning to bridge the gap, more targeted, inclusive solutions are needed to ensure everyone can receive timely and preventative care, not just emergency treatment.

Student challenge: How can we bring healthcare closer to under-served communities in Sheffield? Could we design mobile clinics, digital health tools, or transport solutions that help people access care earlier, more often, and with greater confidence — even in areas with limited connectivity or resources?

28: Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Mental health struggles are rising in many of Sheffield's low-income communities. The daily stress of financial hardship, insecure housing, and social isolation can lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, and emotional burnout. Yet despite the growing need, access to mental health support remains limited, and the stigma around seeking help prevents many from getting the care they need.

Formal services are often overstretched or hard to reach, especially for young people, migrants, or those living in deprived areas. There is an urgent need for community-based, culturally sensitive, and stigma-free spaces where people can connect, open up, and support one another.

Student challenge: How can we support mental health and emotional wellbeing in communities facing deprivation? Could we design safe spaces, peer support initiatives, or digital tools that help people manage stress and connect with others, even if they are hesitant to use formal services?

29: Supporting Vulnerable People in Care

In many of Sheffield's most deprived communities, older adults and disabled people struggle to get the support they need to live safely and with dignity. Social care services are overstretched, and family carers are often under immense pressure, juggling work, care responsibilities, and limited resources.

As a result, vulnerable people may go without help with everyday tasks, taking medication, or even basic companionship. These gaps in support can lead to loneliness, health deterioration, and emergencies that could have been prevented. Falls, in particular, are a major concern, often occurring unnoticed and leading to serious consequences.

Student challenge: How can we support older and disabled residents in living more independently and safely? Could we design discreet assistive technologies, low-cost home adaptations, or local volunteer networks that fill gaps in formal care? How might we improve communication between carers, health providers, and residents so no one is left behind, and how could simple tools help prevent falls or missed medication at home?

30: Community Infrastructure & Wellbeing

In many of Sheffield's low-income neighbourhoods, access to safe, high-quality community infrastructure is limited. Parks, libraries, play areas, and community centres — the spaces where people come together — may be run-down, underused, or missing altogether.

Without accessible and welcoming public spaces, communities can become more isolated, inactive, and disconnected. This can lead to poor mental and physical health, reduced social cohesion, and fewer opportunities for people to build relationships or feel pride in their neighbourhood.

Yet these shared spaces also hold huge potential. With thoughtful, inclusive design, they can become centres of activity, creativity, and wellbeing — especially when residents are part of the process.

Student challenge: How might we redesign or reimagine public spaces in under-resourced communities to support social connection, play, and wellbeing? Could we develop low-cost improvements, pop-up infrastructure, or co-design toolkits that empower local residents to shape, maintain, and take pride in their shared spaces — from gardens and playgrounds to community halls and walking routes?

References

1. House of Commons Library. (2024). Rising cost of living in the UK. Retrieved from https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9428/