World Health Innovation Summit, Carlisle (2026)

22/05/2026

WHIS Italy: Financing Healthcare Through Prevention & Social Impact Bonds

Join WHIS Italy as global leaders in health, finance, and innovation explore how we can shift healthcare systems from treatment to prevention. This session focuses on financing prevention through social impact bonds, outcome funds, and impact investing, with a spotlight on real-world implementation in Italy.

Featuring experts in impact finance, healthcare innovation, and systems change, the discussion highlights how new financial models can unlock better health outcomes, particularly in areas such as mental health and community-based prevention.

Speakers:

Gareth Presch - CEO, Founder WHIS
Alessia Gianoncelli - Expert Impact Financing
Gianluca Gaggiotti - Expert in Impact Financing
Maurizio Morini - WHIS Italy

Discover how we can align capital, policy, and innovation to build a prevention-first healthcare system.

19/05/2026

WHIS Talks – Hosted by WHIS London
Date: May 19
Time: 1:00 PM
Theme: Mental Health and Its Relationship to Physical Health and Care

WHIS Talks hosted by WHIS London returns for its second webinar, bringing together leaders, advocates, and changemakers for an important conversation on how mental and physical health are deeply interconnected—and why this matters now more than ever.

This session will explore how mental health impacts physical wellbeing, healthcare outcomes, and access to care, while also addressing inequalities that continue to affect communities across the UK and globally. Through lived experience, leadership insight, and practical discussion, the panel will highlight how community-driven approaches can transform health and care systems.

Why This Conversation Matters (Key Stats)
UK Context:
Around 1 in 4 people in England experience a mental health problem each year.
People living with severe mental illness die 15–20 years earlier than the general population—often due to preventable physical conditions.
Nearly 30% of people with long-term physical conditions also have a mental health condition, complicating treatment and outcomes.
NHS data shows that mental health-related demand has risen significantly post-pandemic, especially among young people.

Global Context:
Depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
People with chronic illnesses are 2–3 times more likely to experience mental health challenges.
The World Health Organization identifies mental health as a leading contributor to the global burden of disease.
These figures reinforce a clear message: mental and physical health cannot be treated separately.

Meet the Speakers
Roxanne Lavie (Qassandra / WHIS London) – Co-host, healthcare advocate and facilitator
Julie Jaye Charles CBE (WHIS London / Start Change) – Co-host, community leader and strategist
Isaac Samuels OBE – Joint CEO, author, and national leader in disability, inclusion, and equity
David Kerr (DJK Global / WHIS Ireland) – Advocate for patient-centred solutions and systemic health equity
Together, they bring a wealth of experience across community leadership, inclusion, healthcare reform, and lived experience advocacy.

What Attendees Will Gain
A deeper understanding of the mental–physical health connection
Insight into health inequalities and systemic challenges
Real-world examples of community-led change
Inspiration to take action within their own communities and organisations

14/05/2026

Exciting news for global public health!

We are proud to announce the official launch of the WHIS–GSPA Global Mental Health Commission a groundbreaking international initiative by the World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS) and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA).

Despite decades of growing awareness, millions of people worldwide still lack access to critical mental healthcare. This new Commission was created to close that gap by shifting the paradigm from reactive clinical treatment to proactive, community-rooted prevention. As we know, true health is not made in hospitals it is built in our communities.

The Commission will function as a global platform for real, equitable action, focusing on interconnected areas:
- Map Policy Gaps: Identify global structural inequalities in public mental health.
- Transform Training: Equip future health professionals with community-oriented health skills.
- Embed Social Prescribing: Integrate community connection as a core pillar of mental health frameworks.
- Deploy Global Programs: Deliver accessible training in Psychological First Aid and Values-Based Practice.
- Drive Local Action: Launch targeted community initiatives, including a youth addiction prevention pilot in Spanish secondary schools.

Some of the commission members 🗺️ Gareth Presch, Bernardo Mendonça Flôr Rodrigues, Sheva Carr, Robert Browning , John Naslund, Mrs Catharina Habsburg-Lothringen and Patricia Welch Saleeby, PhD.

🔗 Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/evQWsk5g

11/05/2026

Our new partnership - Nature and Health in Italy - World Health Innovation Summit

COMUNICATO STAMPA – WHIS e Il Tulipano firmano uno storico Protocollo d’Intesa internazionale per promuovere la prescrizione sociale attraverso il patrimonio UNESCO, la cultura e la natura

Londra, Regno Unito / Campania, Italia – Maggio 2026* — Il World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS) ha siglato un Protocollo d’Intesa (MoU) con la Cooperativa Sociale Il Tulipano, stabilendo una collaborazione internazionale strategica per far avanzare la “prescrizione sociale” (social prescribing) attraverso approcci basati sulla cultura, il patrimonio storico e la natura.
L’accordo segna una tappa significativa nella continua espansione globale dei presidi (Chapters) WHIS e si sviluppa sulla scia del successo del lancio di WHIS Italy, avvenuto a Bologna nel 2025. L’intesa rafforza ulteriormente la collaborazione con la Global Social Prescribing Alliance, sostenendo la missione comune di scalare soluzioni sanitarie innovative e guidate dalle comunità a livello mondiale.

Al centro di questa partnership c’è la Parvula Domus – Fattoria Culturale e Sociale de Il Tulipano, situata in una posizione unica all’interno del sito Patrimonio dell’Umanità UNESCO del Parco Archeologico di Pompei, uno dei monumenti culturali più significativi al mondo. Questo scenario straordinario offre una base solida per iniziative pionieristiche di prescrizione sociale che connettono le persone alla storia, all’ambiente e alla comunità.

Gareth Presch, CEO e Fondatore di WHIS, ha dichiarato:
“Questa partnership riflette la direzione intrapresa da WHIS a livello globale. Mentre espandiamo i nostri presidi, incluse le solide basi stabilite attraverso WHIS Italy dal nostro lancio a Bologna, vediamo una crescente domanda di approcci che colleghino la salute con la cultura, il patrimonio e la natura. Collaborare con Il Tulipano in un contesto UNESCO così iconico dimostra come l’innovazione locale possa generare un impatto globale attraverso la prescrizione sociale e la Global Social Prescribing Alliance”.

Donata Bruno, Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione della Cooperativa Sociale Il Tulipano, ha dichiarato:
“Essere parte di questa collaborazione internazionale è un passo importante per la nostra comunità e per il nostro lavoro. Presso Parvula Domus, stiamo creando spazi di vita inclusivi dove cultura, natura e cura si fondono, supportando in particolare le persone con neurodiversità. La partnership con WHIS ci permette di condividere il nostro modello oltre i confini italiani e di contribuire a un movimento globale crescente per una prescrizione sociale radicata nella dignità, nella partecipazione e nel benessere”.

Il Protocollo d’Intesa stabilisce un quadro di collaborazione non vincolante della durata di due anni, focalizzato sullo scambio di conoscenze e sull’apprendimento condiviso. Riflette l’impegno di entrambe le organizzazioni verso l’inclusività, la sostenibilità, il patrimonio culturale e la promozione del benessere psicofisico.

https://www.iltulipanocoop.org/comunicato-stampa-whis-e-il-tulipano-firmano-uno-storico-protocollo-dintesa-internazionale-per-promuovere-la-prescrizione-sociale-attraverso-il-patrimonio-unesco-la-cultura-e-la-natura/

09/05/2026

Join us for our next World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) Talks – “Say it as it is!”

Hosted by WHIS London - in partnership with Global Social Prescribing Alliance
Date: Wednesday May 19
Time: 1:00 PM BST
Theme: Mental Health and Its Relationship to Physical Health and Care

WHIS Talks hosted by WHIS London returns for its second webinar, bringing together leaders, advocates, and changemakers for an important conversation on how mental and physical health are deeply interconnected—and why this matters now more than ever.

This session will explore how mental health impacts physical wellbeing, healthcare outcomes, and access to care, while also addressing inequalities that continue to affect communities across the UK and globally. Through lived experience, leadership insight, and practical discussion, the panel will highlight how community-driven approaches can transform health and care systems.

Why This Conversation Matters (Key Stats)
UK Context:
- Around 1 in 4 people in England experience a mental health problem each year.
- People living with severe mental illness die 15–20 years earlier than the general population—often due to preventable physical conditions.
- Nearly 30% of people with long-term physical conditions also have a mental health condition, complicating treatment and outcomes.
- NHS data shows that mental health-related demand has risen significantly post-pandemic, especially among young people.

Global Context:
- Depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
- People with chronic illnesses are 2–3 times more likely to experience mental health challenges.
- The World Health Organization identifies mental health as a leading contributor to the global burden of disease.

These figures reinforce a clear message: mental and physical health cannot be treated separately.

Meet the Speakers
Roxanne Lavie (Qassandra / WHIS London) – Co-host, healthcare advocate and facilitator
Lady Julie Jaye Charles CBE (WHIS London / Change) – Co-host, community leader and strategist
Isaac Samuels OBE – Joint CEO, author, and national leader in disability, inclusion, and equity
David John Kerr (DJK Global / WHIS Ireland ) – Advocate for patient-centred solutions and systemic health equity

Together, they bring a wealth of experience across community leadership, inclusion, healthcare reform, and lived experience advocacy.

What Attendees Will Gain:
- A deeper understanding of the mental–physical health connection
- Insight into health inequalities and systemic challenges
- Real-world examples of community-led change
- Inspiration to take action within their own communities and organisations

LIVE streams on Facebook, Linkedin and Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/ARFHcN1Jb3k?si=n_0ZxU8Tg3L1FigE

Please share and join us.

06/05/2026

World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) and Il Tulipano Sign Landmark International MoU Advancing Social Prescribing Through UNESCO Heritage, Culture, and Nature

London, UK / Campania, Italy – May 2026 — World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Il Tulipano Social Cooperative, establishing a strategic international collaboration to advance social prescribing through culture, heritage, and nature-based approaches.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the continued expansion of WHIS Chapters globally and builds on the successful launch of WHIS Italy in Bologna in 2025. It further strengthens collaboration with the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, supporting a shared mission to scale innovative, community-led health solutions worldwide.

At the heart of this partnership is Il Tulipano’s Parvula Domus – Cultural and Social Farm, uniquely located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pompeii Archaeological Site one of the world’s most significant cultural landmarks. This extraordinary setting provides a powerful foundation for pioneering social prescribing initiatives that connect people to history, environment, and community.

Through this MoU, the Parties will collaborate on:
- Co-developing “Walking Towards Wellbeing” pathways across cultural, archaeological, and green environments
- Advancing the “Tulipano Art Friendly” cultural welfare model
- Delivering joint research on mental health, wellbeing, and neurodiversity
- Engaging key institutional and academic stakeholders, including the University of Naples Federico II and the University of Naples Parthenope

Gareth Presch, CEO & Founder of WHIS, said:
"This partnership reflects the direction of travel for WHIS globally. As we expand our Chapters, including the strong foundations established through WHIS Italy since our launch in Bologna, we are seeing increasing demand for approaches that connect health with culture, heritage, and nature. Collaborating with Il Tulipano in such an iconic UNESCO setting demonstrates how local innovation can drive global impact through social prescribing and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance."

Donata Bruno, Head of the Board of Directors of Il Tulipano Social Cooperative, said:
"Being part of this international collaboration is an important step for our community and our work. At Parvula Domus, we are creating inclusive, living spaces where culture, nature, and care come together particularly supporting people with neurodiversity. Partnering with WHIS allows us to share our model beyond Italy and contribute to a growing global movement for social prescribing rooted in dignity, participation, and wellbeing."
This MoU establishes a two-year, non-binding framework focused on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared learning. It reflects both organisations’ commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, cultural heritage, and the promotion of psychophysical wellbeing.

ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS)
[email protected]
www.whis.world
Il Tulipano Social Cooperative
www.iltulipanocoop.org

Full details: https://whis.world/f/whis-and-il-tulipano-sign-mou-on-health-at-unesco-site

05/05/2026

We are delighted to welcome Siobhan Cafferty to the World Health Innovation Summit Ireland 🇮🇪 team a leader whose career has been defined by purpose, impact, and a relentless commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change.

Siobhán brings over 20 years of experience working at the frontline, supporting marginalised communities to access opportunities that have the power to transform lives. Through this work, she developed a deep understanding of the systemic barriers people face — and the limitations of short-term, case-by-case solutions. While these approaches often delivered immediate support, they were resource-intensive, frustrating for both practitioners and individuals, and rarely addressed the root causes of inequality.

Driven by a belief that more sustainable change was possible, Siobhán shifted her focus toward strategy and policy development. She has since played a key role in influencing Government Departments to think beyond siloed approaches, particularly within the social enterprise and social innovation sectors. Her work has consistently championed long-term, collaborative solutions that create real impact at scale.

In recognition of her contributions, Siobhán was named in the Euclid Network’s Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise list in 2022 a testament to her leadership in advancing social innovation and employment opportunities for marginalised groups across Ireland.

Siobhán is also the driving force behind Simplified an initiative born from years of experience, insight, and a core belief: when people come together with a shared purpose, they can create tangible, sustainable solutions while keeping processes accessible and effective.

Gareth Presch, CEO and Founder of WHIS, shared:
"Siobhán’s experience and perspective are exactly what we need as we continue to grow WHIS Ireland. She understands both the human impact of systemic challenges and the structural change required to address them. Her ability to bridge frontline experience with strategic thinking will be invaluable to our mission."

David John Kerr Kerr, Chair of WHIS Ireland, added:
"We are thrilled to welcome Siobhán to the team. Her track record speaks for itself — she brings not only deep expertise but also a passion for collaboration and innovation that aligns perfectly with our vision for WHIS Ireland."

Siobhán Cafferty said:
"I’m excited to join WHIS Ireland at such an important time. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how complex systems can make it difficult for people to access the opportunities they deserve. I believe strongly in working collaboratively to design solutions that are practical, sustainable, and centred around real needs and WHIS provides a powerful platform to do exactly that."

As WHIS Ireland continues to expand its impact, Siobhán’s insight, leadership, and dedication will play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive and effective future.

Welcome to the team, Siobhán, we’re excited for what lies ahead.

More details: https://whis.world/f/welcoming-siobhán-cafferty-to-the-whis-ireland-team

29/04/2026

Empowering people to manage their own health and wellbeing.

Another World Health Innovation Summit Chapter launched in Algarve, Portugal.

Find out more: https://whis.world/f/whis-chapter-launches-in-algarve

05/04/2026

Easter Reflections: Building Healthier Communities Together
By Gareth Presch, CEO, World Health Innovation Summit CIC

This Easter, I am reflecting on the extraordinary progress we’ve made at WHIS and the bright future ahead for healthcare, prevention, and wellbeing. Despite global challenges like rising antimicrobial resistance and growing healthcare inequalities, our work shows how collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven investment can transform health systems while creating millions of new jobs.

One of the most exciting areas of momentum is social prescribing, which connects individuals to non-clinical community services such as arts, nature, volunteering, and peer support. This person-centred approach addresses the wider determinants of health that clinical care alone cannot reach, reducing pressure on health systems and empowering people to thrive. Through WHISKids, WHISatWork, WHISSeniors, and social prescribing initiatives, we demonstrate that health innovation isn’t just a health intervention it is a powerful engine for employment, community engagement, and economic opportunity.

The potential for impact is enormous. Today, 97% of the UK healthcare budget is spent on a system that is unsustainable, focused on reactive care. Even a modest £1–£2 ROI in a £12 trillion market is huge and as our Future Trends paper shows, healthcare globally is moving toward value‑ and outcomes‑driven models that unlock precisely this kind of economic and social value.

This year, we are expanding our global footprint with new chapters in the USA, Ireland, Italy, across the EU, Africa, Asia, and India, while launching WHIS Talks from London. Through global summits, roundtables, and local chapters, we convene leaders to move ideas from concept to action turning successful pilots into system-wide change while unlocking investment to fund prevention at scale.

We are also proving that outcome-based funding models, including social impact bonds, can scale with private investment. By moving from rigid control systems to learning systems, we continuously improve interventions, demonstrating measurable health outcomes while protecting public finances. These approaches create jobs, strengthen communities, and ensure that every pound invested delivers tangible health, social, and economic value.

What inspires me most is the spirit of collaboration that drives WHIS: "WHIS brings people together, connects people, and gives us the space to share ideas and inspire each other. The collaborative approach is the way forward for improving the health and wellbeing of our community." WHIS Attendee

Easter is a moment to pause, celebrate, and recommit ourselves to this shared vision. At WHIS, we are proving that prevention, innovation, and collaboration are not only possible they are the future of healthcare, creating healthier communities, sustainable systems, and a world where people everywhere can thrive.

Gareth Presch
CEO & Founder, World Health Innovation Summit CIC

https://whis.world/f/easter-reflections-building-healthier-communities-together

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