Working together for health equity in south London: South London Listens Health Assembly
Last Tuesday, over 950 people came together with a shared mission - to build a brighter, healthier, and fairer future for all those who call south London home.
Our South London Listens Citizens Health Assembly brought together south London community members with colleagues from the NHS and Local Authorities at St George’s Cathedral in Southwark.
It was a powerful community-led event showcasing and reinstating the South London Listens partners’ commitment to addressing deep-rooted health inequalities through ground-breaking community work.
South London Listens’ continuing work was on full display at the assembly; with NHS and Local Authority leadership actioning pledges and being recognised for their work – including:
Mental Health Trust backing for the Be Well programme – working with communities to support tackle social isolation and improve mental health.
Commitments from NHS South East London and NHS South West London to continue driving forward the work of the Health and Housing Coalition – with announcements of new NHS sites already being explored for the development of genuinely affordable housing, and action to improve housing information and support within the NHS
Recognition of the recent Living Wage Accreditations achieved by NHS South East London and St George’s Trust and pledges from NHS leaders to continue championing this work across the NHS.
Commitment for a new partnership to support pregnant women who are migrants and at risk of destitution
Celebration of work with Local authorities to pay for free WiFi in temporary accommodation – and agreement to work to encourage wider take up across south London
The Assembly closed with a look to the future.
As the NHS shifts to neighbourhood working, and to preventing illness rather than curing it (both key elements of the government's 10 Year Health Plan), partnering with communities will become ever more important. Partners came together on the night to recognise the importance of putting health equity and community organising at the heart of plans moving forward.
Humaira, the Community Leader Co-Chair on the night described the assembly as ‘the extraordinary power of connection, the strength that emerges when communities stand together as one - alongside the NHS and local authorities.’
Thank you to everyone who was part of this very special evening – and for those who have been involved so far. This movement continues to grow - you are the ones building hope.