Our New Strategy

Helen Marshall, Brook’s Chief Executive, and Dame Sally Dicketts, Brook’s new Chair, are proud to introduce our new strategic plan for 2023-2026. Developed in collaboration with staff, supporters and those who use our services, it charts an ambitious path with a loud, brave vision as we approach our 60^th year.

Since publishing our last strategy, Brook has been on a remarkable journey through challenging times. We have worked hard to strengthen our foundations and adapt to new ways of working, allowing us not only to survive but to thrive.

However, we continue to operate in an increasingly demanding commissioning environment. Over the last eight years, two thirds of local authorities in England have cut their spending on sexual and reproductive health, and contraception budgets have been halved. As a result, we are witnessing poorer health outcomes with exacerbated disparities and inequality.

Our life course approach to sexual and reproductive health is now firmly embedded in our strategic direction and we will continue to evolve by investing in research and our data.

While we remain committed to fighting for the rights of young people, we are proud to design new services that respond to the lived experience of our service users and extend our reach to wider communities.

To do this successfully, we must work harder than ever to fight stigma and evidence its harm. We know that stigma drives misinformation and shame and translates to health inequality – particularly when it comes to sexual and mental health. We are saddened and outraged to see unprecedented threats to people’s choice, rights and freedom of identity; principles that sit at the very core of our work. Brook is resolute in its commitment to standing for and with those affected.

We will continue to fight for a society that welcomes everyone and trusts people to make decisions about their health, their bodies and their identities.

We have always adopted a holistic approach, recognising the interplay between mental, physical and sexual health. Currently, almost two thirds of young people with a mental health condition are unable to access the NHS care and treatment they need. We’re looking forward to learning with others, growing and developing new initiatives that will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of young people. We are also committed to increasing accessibility to our services for those who face additional barriers such as neurodivergent young people.

Brook has ambitious plans for growth and expansion; we will remain focused on our pioneering transformation of digital health services, expand our provision for adults and develop new commercial income streams to drive innovation. 

Underpinning this exciting new strategy is our firm and unwavering commitment to be courageous and inclusive, collaborative and trustworthy. We look forward to working with existing partners and developing new relationships as we call for urgent action to improve health outcomes.