The South London Listens Summer Showcase and Reception
How have we brought the community together in 2025-2026
In 2025–2026, South London Listens demonstrated the growing strength of its community‑powered movement through two major events alongside our ongoing programmes of work: our Summer Showcase, and the South London Citizens Health Assembly. Each event illustrated how meaningful change emerges when communities mobilise, leaders stand up, and public accountability is made visible. Across both gatherings, local community leaders and organisations, and NHS and local authority partners came together to celebrate progress, and to demand or commit to - continued action on the issues that shape health and wellbeing in South London.
The South London Listens Summer Showcase and Reception - July 2025
The Summer Showcase brought together NHS leaders, local authorities, VCSE organisations and grassroots community groups for an afternoon dedicated to celebrating the power of collective action in improving health and wellbeing across communities. The event highlighted impactful community‑led prevention initiatives, from mental health support to housing advocacy and culturally tailored wellbeing programmes. It was a clear demonstration of the partnership’s principle that solutions must be shaped and delivered with communities, not for them.
Community leaders Jojo Sangrado Ford, Jesse Ashiegbu and Janet Emmanuel opened the event, sharing their own experiences of leading change in their neighbourhoods.
As Jojo reflected, “It was good to see strength and power in our community, especially from so many different voices,” while Jesse added, “So many achievements. So much gratitude.”
A key moment in the showcase was the introduction of Jane Bailey, the new Chair of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Co‑Chair of the South London Listens Taskforce. Jane affirmed her commitment to a model of leadership grounded in listening and accountability, explaining that she is “incredibly passionate about hearing directly from people with lived experience… and bringing their stories to the Board to help shape the Trust’s next chapter.”
This spirit of partnership reflects a wider shift across South London Listens: one in which community energy is matched by visible leadership responsibility.
