Healthbox CIC Awarded Innovate UK Funding to Drive Community Health Innovation

We’re proud to announce that Healthbox CIC has been selected as one of the organisations funded through Innovate UK’s £2.5 million investment to scale innovation in community-led approaches to improving health outcomes across the UK. 

This funding marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to help people eat well, move more, and feel better. Since 2011, Healthbox has delivered school health workshops, weaning advice, and healthy cookery sessions that inspire people of all ages to eat well, move more, and live better. Now, with the support of Innovate UK, we’re taking that experience into the digital world with a pioneering project - Cam2Cook. 

Innovation rooted in community 

Cam2Cook is an AI-powered, inclusive recipe app designed to make healthy eating accessible, affordable and achievable for everyone. Built around lived experience and co-designed with local people, it will provide simple, adaptable recipes, smart food swaps, and guided cooking support to boost skills and confidence in the kitchen, by just tapping an app! 

We know that poor diet and inactivity remain two of the UK’s biggest health challenges, contributing to obesity, diabetes and other preventable conditions that put growing pressure on the NHS. By supporting practical, local innovation like Cam2Cook, Innovate UK is helping communities take a leading role in tackling these issues, shifting focus from treatment to prevention, from sickness to wellbeing – and we couldn’t be more excited to be leading on this innovative project. 

A partnership for progress 

Healthbox CIC is leading this project in partnership with Coax Creative, whose design and digital expertise will ensure the platform is engaging and accessible, and the University of Chester, who will lead research and evaluation to measure real-world impact and ensure cultural inclusivity and nutritional integrity. 

Together, we’ll deliver: 

• Empowerment – helping people cook nutritious meals confidently and affordably. 

• Accessibility – making healthy food choices easier for low-income families, older adults and communities with limited cooking experience. 

• Scalability – creating a digital tool that can be replicated across regions, embedding food skills in everyday life. 

  
  

This collaboration demonstrates how innovation, research and creativity can combine to deliver lasting public health change and new economic opportunity. 

Joining a national movement 

We’re honoured to stand alongside a network of pioneering organisations also funded through this Innovate UK programme, each tackling key health challenges in unique ways: 

• TSPN Enterprise CIC – Food as a Path to Better Health (Prepmate) 

• The Go Well Community CIC – Activating Communities Through Explore 

• Good Boost Wellbeing – Scaling Community MSK Hubs into Multi-Morbidity Hubs 

• Hope 4 the Community CIC – HOPE-MOVE: Help Overcome Problems Effectively – Movement & Healthy Lifestyle 

• Developing Healthy Communities – Active Dollars for Pre-Diabetes Communities 

• Community Wellness Services – Scaling Exercise Referrals 

• Institute for Food, Brain and Behaviour – Scaling LANAH (Learn About Nutrition and Health) 

• Healthy Kidz CIC – From Schools to Systems: Scaling Physical Literacy Through Smart Tech 

• Kickback Kitchens CIC – Scaling a Community-Based Food Innovation to Improve Diet 

  
  

Each of these projects represents the very best of UK community innovation, practical, scalable, and rooted in real need. Together, they’re helping to build a healthier, more equal and more prosperous future. 

Looking ahead 

With Innovate UK’s support, we’ll be building on our community-driven approach, using digital tools and creative collaboration to reduce health inequalities and empower people to live well. 

We’re making lots of progress, and we are very close to sharing version 1 with our local communities to try in their kitchens! Follow our progress as Cam2Cook of simply helping households cook with confidence, make the most of what’s in the cupboard, and find quick, healthy ideas for tea. 

We cannot wait to show you the app!