Parent peer support

South London Listens began by asking a simple question: what matters most to you and your community? Since 2020, we’ve listened to over 14,000 people across south London.

Listening first

Through local conversations, assemblies and summits, residents have told us about the pressures they face — from poor housing to insecure work, from social isolation to long waits for support.

Community organising

We use a community organising model. That means:

  • working with people in their own neighbourhoods

  • training local leaders to act on issues that matter

  • building power together so residents, charities and the NHS can make change that lasts

This isn’t consultation. It’s action. By listening first and acting together, we tackle the deep-rooted inequalities that affect people’s health and wellbeing.

Turning listening into action

What we hear shapes our priorities. From listening campaigns, we co-develop pledges and projects with residents, the NHS and local partners. Examples include:

  • Be Well hubs tackling social isolation and providing grassroots support

  • Living wage commitments across south London NHS organisations

  • Safe Surgeries making GP practices more accessible for migrants and refugees

  • Children and young people’s mental health projects like the CAMHS virtual waiting room

A movement for change

This approach has created a movement across south London. Thousands of people have joined assemblies, over 900 leaders have been trained, and partners from councils to grassroots groups are now working together on long-term solutions.

South London Listens is about more than services. It’s about building stronger, fairer communities where everyone has a voice and the power to change things.