Wandsworth Care Alliance

Neighbourhood Engagement Fund – Key Insights

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Read about the key insights gathered by local voluntary and community sector organisations through the Neighbourhood Engagement Fund

In early 2026 Wandsworth Care Alliance worked with the NHS South West London Integrated Care Board to offer grants to local voluntary and community sector organisations in Wandsworth. These organisations were tasked with running activities to hold conversations and gather community insight about people’s experiences of accessing support in the local area. 

The focus was to identify what support and assets exist locally, as well as any gaps or unmet needs in each neighbourhood. In March and April 2026 as part of the fund 11 local organisations conducted a range of events and activities ultimately engaging 481 residents.

Below are the key, generalised insights that came out of these events and activities, as well as what residents want improved in the field of health and social care. The reports from the organisations include important details to be explored further.

Primary and secondary care access

A major theme that emerged in feedback from residents was the topic of access in regard to healthcare. This related to both primary care (GPs, Pharmacies etc.) as well as secondary care (Hospitals, Specialist services). 

Positives:

  • Residents stated that the growth and expansion of online access to healthcare services has made requesting appointments more efficient

Negatives:

  • Long appointment waiting times experienced by some residents
  • Difficulty to secure an initial appointment in the first place, which leads to a delay in referral to specialist services
  • Emphasis on getting GP appointments via online methods has made some residents feel digitally excluded
  • Patients reported very long wait times to secure an in-person GP appointment
  • Residents noted that booking forms can be difficult for those with limited English or issues with digital literacy
  • Long waiting lists and thresholds for specialist services were identified as key barriers, often leaving individuals without support until reaching crisis point.
  • One organisation highlighted that the main challenge lies in the process of seeing the right healthcare professional. Delays and barriers in accessing appropriate care can make the experience frustrating.
  • Challenges in registering and lack of interpreters and support with low literacy
  • There is also a noticeable lack of trust within the community, with some residents feeling disconnected from services and therefore unsure where to turn for support.

Importance placed on primary care (GPs)

Further expanding on the theme of access was the fact that many residents noted how important their GP and the practice played as the first point of contact for any health related issues. When people were asked how confident they were in where to access care more generally there was quite a lot of variation from people with reasonable confidence to very low confidence.

Positives:

  • Residents reported it was easy to request and be given a same day appointment for children when issues arose
  • There were accounts of supportive GPs who listen to a patient’s concerns. This makes them important to help refer patients to other services.
  • When patients were able to see the same healthcare professional they felt that their time was used effectively
  • Residents also indicated that there were often effective referrals from GPs to specialists when appropriate
  • Some residents also reported short waiting times for appointments

Negatives:

  • Residents indicated discrepancies between GP practices in the same neighbourhood with the level of care sometimes seeming to be dependent on which healthcare professional you see
  • Length of GP appointments is sometimes too short to allow patient to explain fully their issues
  • Discrimination still faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in registering and accessing healthcare services. These communities therefore often do not engage with healthcare services until condition has become very serious
  • Some felt they were advised to go to emergency care due to lack of GP availability and others felt lack of awareness on how to navigate NHS led to use of emergency services.
  • The time it takes to see a GP also led some to use emergency services (and the pharmacy too). This group said they wanted somewhere local they could walk in to.

Secondary care experiences

Alongside experiences of GP practices, residents also spoke about experiences within hospitals and with specialist services

Positives:

  • Respondents praised emergency services, including the ambulance service for being supportive and timely
  • Maternity and early childhood care at St George’s was highlighted as supportive

Negatives:

  • Specialist appointments and A&E delays described as “excruciatingly long.” Some avoided seeking care due to these delays.
  • Some residents tend to use emergency services such as A&E rather than any structured approach to healthcare, due to previous poor experiences. This leads to disrupted health provision and makes preventative care very difficult to administer.
  • Some felt they were advised to go to emergency care due to lack of GP availability and others felt lack of awareness on how to navigate NHS led to use of emergency services.
  • The time it takes to see a GP also led some to use emergency services (and the pharmacy too). This group said they wanted somewhere local they could walk in to.

Information, advice and support around healthcare

Residents also spoke at length about the importance of having access to information, advice and support around healthcare.

  • Residents stated a desire for more health focused community sessions which community organisations can deliver in collaboration with healthcare providers, including information on managing conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, and mental health. Many felt that early intervention and regular health advice could prevent conditions from worsening.
  • Some respondents found that health visitor supports felt like a “tick box exercise”
  • There were real concerns over the lack of joined up local care for complex conditions
  • Residents acknowledged the importance of community-based services in providing social connection, routine, and purpose.
  • Community based services provide additional support and help meet a range of needs that may not always be covered by statutory health services
  • Some highlighted the negative impact of word of mouth stories about healthcare and how this is a key way information flows in the community.

Mental health support

Mental health and the access to support services centred around this were also discussed by residents

  • It was noted that there are increasing concerns around mental health, with many people experiencing depression and low wellbeing. This appears to be rising and becoming more visible within the community. This has contributed to feelings of low aspiration, frustration, and hopelessness among some community members.
  • It was stated that there is limited access to timely, culturally appropriate support within the field of mental health, with some describing services as ‘dismissive’.
  • Residents also acknowledged the importance of community spaces and activities and being able to volunteer in the community for positive mental health “If I didn’t have these clubs to socialise in, I would go crazy.”

Culture around healthcare

Concerns around the culture within the field of healthcare was also spoken about by residents.

  • There are systemic issues and assumptions around various groups and individuals that need to be addressed as these cause frustration and trauma, such as ‘children’s services automatically asking for ‘mum,’ which caused frustration for non-traditional families’ and discrimination felt by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
  • Negative or distressing incidents lead to the undermining of trust with healthcare services
  • Some GPs showed excellent practice in being culturally mindful, but this was reported as localised and fragmented
  • Importance of chaperones and a supportive person to speak to when going through difficult healthcare experiences (experience at Chelsea and Westminster)

Impact of Cost of Living

The impact of cost of living and unemployment was also mentioned with it placing additional pressure on individuals and families who are already struggling financially. This is leading to increased social exclusion and reduced wellbeing. As a result, some people are turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including increased alcohol consumption and smoking.

Travel was also highlighted as an issue.

Improvements residents want

Residents engaged by these organisations were also asked what improvements they wanted to see in relation to health and social care in their neighbourhood

  • Increased healthcare appointment availability both in primary and secondary care to help address waiting times
  • Address the issue of digital exclusion
  • More streamlined referral pathways and more simple access
  • Simpler and more user friendly forms to make it easier for individuals to navigate the system
  • Need for better promotion and education around available healthcare services as there is still limited awareness of all that is available locally
  • More community activities and spaces
  • More safe and supportive spaces for women
  • More mental health services and support
  • More meaningful engagement with communities from healthcare professional
  • More funds like the Neighbourhood Engagement Fund – community events bring people together and creates a safe space to discuss these issues

Voluntary Sector Organisations part of the Neighbourhood Engagement Fund

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