South London Listens

Our Trust is a lead partner in South London Listens, a community-led programme that brings together residents, community organisations, the NHS and local authorities to tackle the systemic barriers that affect health and wellbeing across south London.  

The programme is working to ensure that:

  • communities have power over the decisions that affect their lives and wellbeing
  • NHS organisations and local authorities listen to communities and develop solutions alongside them
  • inequalities that drive poor mental and physical health are addressed through collective action
  • prevention, early intervention and community leadership are at the heart of improving health outcome

South London Listens is a partnership of the two south London Integrated Care Systems, three south London mental health trusts, local authorities, over 150 community organisations and Citizens UK. Together, we use community organising and listening to understand and address the root causes of health inequalities.

Since the programme began, we have listened to more than 10,000 people across south London. These conversations have shaped five key priorities and led to the development of more than 40 community-led projects and programmes, focused on improving mental health, wellbeing and equity.   

Under the leadership of south west London partners and through the collective work of South London Listens, significant progress has been made. This has included the establishment of more than 35 Be Well mental health hubs across south west London, the Trust becoming an accredited London Living Wage employer, and the publication of CAMHS waiting time information to improve transparency and accountability for children, young people and families accessing services.  

Most recently, South London Listens has expanded its work in areas including:

  • housing and health inequalities through the South London Health and Housing Coalition
  • support for children, young people and families, including collaboration with CAMHS services
  • improving access to healthcare for migrant and refugee communities
  • culturally tailored mental health support for Latin American and Arab communities
  • community-led action to tackle wider social and economic barriers to wellbeing. 

Through South London Listens, communities, NHS organisations and local authorities continue to work together to build a fairer, healthier south London where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.  

Be Well

Be Well is South London Listens' flagship community mental health initiative. Created in response to community concerns about loneliness, isolation and access to support, Be Well helps grassroots organisations, faith groups, schools and community leaders provide trusted wellbeing support within their local communities. Today, Be Well has grown into one of the largest community-led mental health networks in south London, with:

  • 109 active Be Well sites and a further 48 sites in development
  • more than 600 trained community champions
  • approximately 5,000 people accessing support every month
  • mental health champion training delivered in community settings, including in Spanish and Arabic
  • strong partnerships with NHS services, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations across south London.


The programme continues to strengthen the connection between communities and health services, helping to improve access to support, reduce social isolation, build community capacity and create more culturally responsive approaches to mental health and wellbeing. 

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