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Senior NHS leaders, local politicians and community groups came together in November to commit to addressing the biggest challenges impacting the mental health and wellbeing of local communities in south London as part of the South London Listens Programme.
Senior NHS leaders, local politicians and community groups came together in November to commit to addressing the biggest challenges impacting the mental health and wellbeing of local communities in south London as part of the South London Listens Programme.
Over 300 people attended a Community Health Assembly at St Barnabas Church Clapham Common North Side, Wandsworth, including civic and faith organisations, charities, and leaders from the NHS, local authorities, and universities. This event, alongside the south east London equivalent, were hosted by Citizens UK and built on the success of the South London Listens Assemblies held on World Mental Health Day in 2022.
Participants came together to celebrate the power of community to create positive change and applaud the progress already made in tackling health inequalities in the region through South London Listens. Communities shared powerful stories with senior NHS and local authority leaders about how their own health is impacted by issues such as low wages, the impact of the housing crisis on health, and racial inequities, especially for migrant communities.
Throughout the evening which included community testimonials, music and dancing, senior south London NHS leaders pledged to address several important issues. These pledges build on the work of South London Listens to-date and covered the following issues:
Ann Beasley, Chair of South West London and St George’s and Co-Chair of the South London Listens Taskforce, said:
The energy in the room was palpable – as was the appetite to make change. This moment was a powerful example of how we in the NHS and local authorities can, and should, work in genuine partnership with local communities to tackle social and economic challenges to create a happier and healthier society.
Mike Bell, Chair of NHS South West London Integrated Care Board, said:
This assembly was a great way to launch these pledges – the energy in the room was fantastic and it was a privilege to commit to these plans on behalf of the ICB. We know there are challenges ahead but the event also pointed to the innovative solutions that are within reach when we work closely with our communities. I now look forward to seeing these pledges being realised, helping to ensure that everyone in south west London and beyond has a fairer and healthier future.
The evening cemented partners’ commitment to building stronger relationships, sharing power, listening to their communities, co-producing solutions, and action to overturn the inequalities which have a devastating impact on mental health and wellbeing. The pledges are informing the development of an updated South London Listens action plan published in January 2024.