Our story
This story is still being written. Each campaign, pledge and partnership builds on what came before. With every listening campaign and every hub, South London Listens grows stronger.
South London Listens was born in 2020, when the pandemic exposed and deepened existing inequalities. Communities across south London faced isolation, loss, poor housing and economic stress. The impact on mental health was clear.
A group of NHS trusts, councils, Healthwatch, Citizens UK and community organisations came together. The aim was simple: listen first, then act together.
A growing movement
What began as an urgent response has grown into a long-term partnership. Thousands of conversations have shaped our work. Community leaders now sit alongside NHS and council leaders, making sure decisions reflect real experiences.
The assemblies, summits and listening campaigns have become milestones in themselves — moments where communities and institutions come together to agree the next steps.
Timeline of change
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Our first virtual summit brought together over 25 organisations, including the NHS, local authorities, Citizens UK and community groups.
From this meeting, the first South London Listens Taskforce was set up to guide the work and keep partners accountable.
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We launched the South London Listens Community Campaign, training 300 new leaders in community organising.
Together they listened to more than 6,000 people about their health and wellbeing challenges.
Watch the video here. -
Our first community-led summit brought residents and decision-makers together.
Leaders from the NHS, councils and other partners pledged to take action on the priorities identified by local people.
Watch the video here. -
We launched the first South London Listens two-year Action Plan.
Clear governance was put in place so communities could hold NHS and council partners to account for delivery.
Read the 2021-2023 Action Plan here. -
On World Mental Health Day, we held our first Accountability Assembly.
NHS and local authority leaders shared progress and new commitments on the four South London Listens priorities across all 12 boroughs.
Watch the video here. -
Our South London Listens Year One (2021/22) impact report is published.
It shows the progress all partners have made in delivering the pledges to our communities.
Read our impact report.
Watch our video here. -
We spoke to over 4,000 people across south London to refine priorities and co-develop new solutions. This work was done in partnership with the South East London Anchor Programme.
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Senior NHS and local authority leaders came together to commit to new pledges co-developed with community leaders after the Going Deeper listening campaign.
Two community health assemblies, attended by over 700 people, hosted the event.
Read the new pledges here.