Wandsworth Care Alliance

Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly – Use Your Voice to Better Your Care

by

There are proposals to change how people can raise concerns, including changes to Healthwatch. We think it’s important to talk about the different ways people can be heard when they have concerns, and we want to hear from you about what is important to make sure you know how to raise concerns and that everyone’s voice is heard.

Hear about our work on the subject and also other organisations that help local people champion their voice, including:

Nibbles and Drinks provided

For people living and/or working in Wandsworth.

Any access or dietary requirements please email us at information@healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk

Please note we will be taking photographs at the event to use in our communications, if you do not wish to be photographed let us know at the event, thank you.

Sorry if you can’t make it this time, but sign up to be a member to hear about what happened at the event and to hear about the next one.

Full address for the venue:
Howden Insurance, 149-155 Mitcham Rd, SW17 9PG, London.

About Howden Insurance:

“Howden Tooting is proud to support the local community through ongoing charitable initiatives and promotional opportunities. As part of this, Howden is delighted to support the Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly, an important platform for amplifying local voices and improving health and care services across the borough. Supporting and celebrating community impact is at the heart of everything we do.”

Contact details

Any access or dietary requirements please email us at information@healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk

Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly recap: Accessing healthcare, changes and how to manage your health.

by

We are so thankful to those who were able to attend our Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly on the 27th of March at STORM Family Centre. We want to also say thank you again to Marie from STORM for letting us use their venue and to all the organisations who came to speak to attendees about great work they do.

The Assembly allowed for conversations around the subject of Accessing Care – changes and how to manage your health which has been a frequent and important topic of discussion we have had with residents over the last year. 

You can find the full set of presentation slides at the bottom of this page and below are some links to more information about topics covered at the Assembly.

We are also attaching some slides on potential priorities we at Healthwatch Wandsworth may focus on in 2025/2026. These are a result of conversations we have had with our members, residents, and voluntary and statutory organisations over the last 6 months.

We would love to hear from you on these emerging priorities so please feel free to give your feedback by emailing us at information@healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk

HWW 27th March 2025 Assembly Presentation SlidesDownload
HWW Emerging priorities for 2025Download

NHS RM Partners Technology and Healthcare Survey

On the subject of changes around accessing your care we’d like to share a survey being run by NHS RM Partners which is looking to understand how technology can support patients throughout their cancer journey.

Click here 

Thank you again to all those who attended and we hope to see you at our next event in the near future! You can stay up to date with our work and be informed of future events by signing up to become a Healthwatch Wandsworth member below! We’ll also publish a webpage soon with copies of presentations from the day and other bits of information you can use and share with people you know.

Click here to become a Healthwatch Wandsworth member for free

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

by


Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, held each November, aims to highlight the unique mental health struggles men face and encourage open conversations about mental health. While many men experience anxiety, depression, and stress, societal pressures can make it difficult for them to seek help, often resulting in silence and isolation.

Poor mental health can affect people of any gender, but mental health outcomes for men and women aren’t equal. Due to societal expectations of masculinity, men are less likely to talk to others about their feelings, so they suffer in silence.

This awareness month challenges stigmas, encourages men to seek support, and emphasises the importance of mental health services tailored for men. Through increased awareness, we can promote healthier coping strategies and foster supportive environments for men everywhere.

Tips for supporting Men’s Mental Health:

  • Encourage open conversations.
  • Normalise seeking therapy or counselling.
  • Promote self-care routines and healthy outlets for stress.
  • Foster supportive environments for men

Here are few organisations that provide support for men’s mental health:

To share resources for this article please contact communications@wandcareall.org.uk

IVAR – Women’s Health Conference

by


On 11th September we attended the Women’s Health Conference at the Wandsworth Town Hall, hosted by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Sana Jafri, in collaboration with Women of Wandsworth.

One of the topics discussed was cervical screening; Wandsworth has some of the lowest cervical screening uptake rates in England, particularly in South Asian communities. Wandsworth Care Alliance, in collaboration with research organisation IVAR, have been doing some outreach to organisations that engage with women from a South Asian background. We want to understand potential barriers those women face in relation to uptake of screening, and some of the opportunities we can use for driving uptake.

Read more about the background of the project here.

Some of the findings from this event are written below:

Advertising cervical screening

  • We should broaden our thinking and target specific groups of people. For example, where do mums go? Stay and play sessions, play groups, etc. – let’s put up posters or leaflets there.
  • Can we do some outreach in smaller community groups or organisations?
  • Can we use social media or WhatsApp groups?

Language

  • Let’s think about the type of language and specific words we’re using. “Cancer” and “screening” may already be scary words for some people; therefore, we need to have easily accessible information that explains everything clearly and concisely so people can be properly informed rather than scared.
  • Professionals should also be mindful of potentially complex terminology they are using with individuals who may not speak English fluently. There are sometimes no words for certain medical procedures, conditions or instruments in certain languages. For example, there is no word for “hysterectomy” in Urdu.
  • We should make specific wording choices and use diagrams and pictures in order to aid us in explaining things clearly.

Taboo topic

  • Cervical screening is often considered an embarrassing topic to talk about. It is important to have ‘ladies only’ sessions and follow up in the community, in comfortable/safe environments. You must meet people in the places they are already going.
  • It’s good to be well informed and know the science behind why screening is important (e.g. early diagnosis, correct information). This makes it less taboo as we know that it’s an extremely common practice that everyone goes through.
  • We should be having early conversations to show it’s a normal thing to talk about. This should be in schools or before people are sexually active or having children.

    Resources:
  • Cancer Research UK – Cervical Cancer Screening

If you’d like to discuss or add to this article, please contact communications@wandcareall.org.uk

Access to Food in Wandsworth: Challenges and Community Solutions

by

The above image is of Deaba from Deaba Catering CIC


Access to Food in Wandsworth: Challenges and Community Solutions

Access to nutritious and affordable food is an important and vital need, yet many residents in Wandsworth face significant barriers in accessing it. With the rising cost of living and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity has become a growing concern.

The cost of housing and other living expenses in the borough has been steadily rising, leaving some families with limited budgets for food. For many, this means choosing between paying for rent, utilities, and other essentials or putting food on the table.

Below we are highlighting the community-driven efforts to address these issues.

Community resources

In response to the growing need, several community organizations in Wandsworth have stepped up to provide support and resources to those struggling with access to food.

Saving money food places 

The Healthier Catering Commitment is a scheme that helps food businesses offer healthier choices to their customers. The scheme recognises businesses in London that demonstrate a commitment to reducing the levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar in the food sold in their premises. Refer to the map to find out where you can find healthier items on the menu before the next time you eat out. 

The list below is some great places you’re able to reduce food waste and find more affordable options to accessing food.

Want to donate food?

If you’re looking for ways to donate and support others who are experiencing hardship, we have a list below you can see.

  • You’re able to donate food items, toiletries, money and your time to Wandsworth Food Bank to support others.
  • Supermarkets – your local supermarket will have a food donation box or a food donation bag that you’re able to buy for someone who needs it.
  • You can make a donation to Wandsworth Food Bus.
  • FoodCycle also take donations from small businesses, supermarkets or anywhere providing fresh produce.

Volunteering Opportunities

If you’re interested in volunteering for organisations in Wandsworth who are helping to support others going through hardship, we’ve highlighted a few organisations who take on volunteers.

  • Food cycle are looking for volunteers and they have a wide range of roles to suit different skill sets. Learn more here. 
  • Family Action. Volunteer and help strengthen families and communities.

By working together, the community can continue to develop innovative solutions to ensure that no one in Wandsworth goes hungry. For current events in the community have a look on our events page.

Do you or someone you know urgently need help? Click here to learn more on how to get help with access to food. 

Latest Updates

Community Voices in Wandsworth