Wandsworth Care Alliance

Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly – Use Your Voice to Better Your Care

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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

Give feedback on our Draft Co-Production Charter

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Provide feedback about our Wandsworth Council Adult Social Care Co-Production Charter.

We are working with Wandsworth Council to improve the way in which residents’ voices are heard in the design, delivery and deployment of adult social services. 

As part of this process we have been tasked with designing a charter which Wandsworth Council will adhere to as part of their Adult Social Care Co-Production work.

We have worked with residents and organisations to create a Draft Charter and now we need to hear your feedback.

https://www.healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk/sites/healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk/files/Draft%20Charter%20for%20Adult%20Social%20Care.pdf

Funding available for Women’s Health activities

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Wandsworth Care Alliance is distributing, on behalf of South West London (SWL) NHS, small grants of up to £2k for projects to improve awareness, education and self-management of women’s health (particularly in areas such as menopause, urogynaecology, and menstrual health) amongst women and young girls who struggle to access traditionally delivered NHS services. You can apply to deliver at least one of the following:

  1. Targeted and culturally specific workshops/activities – This can include a number of community-based gatherings, workshops or other initiatives providing women with a safe and familiar space to discuss menopause, urogynaecology, and menstrual health and provide access to preventative care.  As part of the grant, VCSE organisations will be expected to nurture and empower up to 3 local advocates/champions from their own communities who can support the organisation in running the activities and continue to engage women around their health after the project has ended. 
  1. One large-scale, expert-led online or in person learning event per borough attended by up to 250-300 people or/and a series of learning events that reach 250-300 people in total (e.g. webinars, Q&As, workshops) addressing menopause, urogynaecology, and menstrual health, designed to be accessible, culturally appropriate, and scalable across local populations. Please note we will only provide one grant per borough for this.
  1. School-based menstrual health education programmes to improve understanding among young girls, reduce stigma, and promote long-term well-being and/or – VCSE groups applying for this type of project will need to prove they are already working in schools.

The funding programme will be targeting women who struggle to access traditionally delivered NHS services in the following areas:

  • Addington (Croydon) 
  • Belmont (Cheam & South Sutton) 
  • Benhill (Central Sutton) 
  • Berrylands (Kingston) 
  • Beverley (Kingston) 
  • Cricket Green (Merton) 
  • Croydon North (Croydon) 
  • East Merton (Merton) 
  • Fairfield (Croydon) 
  • Falconbrook (Wandsworth) 
  • Figges Marsh (Merton) 
  • Furzedown (Wandsworth) 
  • Ham (Richmond) 
  • Hampton North (Richmond)
  • Heathfield (Richmond)
  • Latchmere (Wandsworth) 
  • Lavender Fields (Merton) 
  • Norbiton (Kingston) 
  • Petersham (Richmond) 
  • Pollards Hill (Merton) 
  • Queenstown and Battersea (Wandsworth) 
  • Ravensbury (Merton) 
  • Richmond Riverside (Richmond) 
  • Roehampton (Wandsworth) 
  • Roundshaw (Beddington, Sutton) 
  • Shaftesbury (Wandsworth) 
  • St Helier (Sutton) 
  • Sutton central (Sutton) 
  • Wandle Valley (Sutton) 
  • Whitton (Richmond)

The SWL Gynaecology Clinical Network can provide materials such as patient information leaflets, links to reputable resources and power point presentations to support these activities. The team can provide you with a list of local NHS clinicians you can invite to attend your session. You are welcome to use your own clinicians, as long as the clinical information provided during the sessions is in line with NHS guidance. Please note that requests for a NHS clinician with dates and venue should be sent at least 5 weeks in advance. We have very few clinicians available and their attendance is not guaranteed even if requested on time. Please include in your budget £100 to contribute to clinicians’ expenses, as this might be needed.

Download and read the full details and guidance of this funding below.

SWL – Womens health grants fundDownload

There is going to be an online information session for organisations interested in applying to this funding opportunity on 8th October 2025 at 10 am. Book your space by emailing Jessica@wandcareall.org.uk

There will be a training session that all successful organisations and their women health champions will need to attend, run by the SWL ICB, on the 20th November 2025.

Deadline for applications is 20th October 2025 at 5 pm. Decisions on applications will be shared by the 10th November 2025. Apply here.

NHS South West London – Wandsworth Spring Grant Fund 2025 – Empowering communities to shape health and care services

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  • Are you a community leader of a voluntary organisation in south west London?
  • Do you know what matters most to the people you support?  Do you have knowledge about the health and care needs of the communities you work with?
  • Can you run an engaging activity and share what you have heard to shape the future of health and care?

The NHS in south west London is offering funding to support community-led activities and discussions that gather valuable insights. Wandsworth Care Alliance will be administering this grant on behalf of the NHS.

What funding is available?

Fund 1 & 2 – grants up to £550

Fund 3 – grants up to £2,000

Healthy Communities grant (Fund 1) and Digital & Health grant (Fund 2) – up to £550 available

What’s involved?

  • Host an activity and have conversations about health and care topics.
  • Use your knowledge and skills to share what you have heard with us
  • Join a short NHS training session – covering how to record feedback and insight from your community.
  • Share what you heard – take part in an interview after your activity with a local project lead and complete a short feedback form.
  • Join a listening event with NHS leaders – date to be confirmed soon!

This fund is flexible, and its focus is to hear from our most disadvantaged and marginalised communities. It is up to you to decide how and when you collect insight, this could be during your event or in the lead up to your activity. 

The NHS is funding you as a community leader to help us understand the experiences and views of the people you reach and support.

We simply ask that you have these conversations in a way that works for you, then share feedback and insight. You’ll need to complete a short form to help us capture themes along with an interview with a local project lead from Wandsworth Care Alliance. 

What can you apply for?

We would like to understand the views of people and communities on the following topics:  

  • Fund 1: Healthy communities fund – understand what helps people living in Wandsworth to stay healthy and what stops people from seeking support and preventing illness.
  • Fund 2: Digital and health fund – understand how technology can improve access to care and what digital barriers do people face.

Who we’d like to reach?

We’re particularly keen to hear from communities who often face barriers to healthcare.

If applying for a Healthy Communities grant (Fund 1), we’d like to hear from:

  • People from our most deprived areas – see application form for more details
  • People who experience issues or barriers in accessing health and care.
  • People who have lived experience of mental health services or support  
  • Groups supporting social connection, such as outdoor activities and events
  • People from our health inclusion groups – including migrants and refugees, people who are homeless, people facing social exclusion

If applying for a Digital & Health grant (Fund 2) we’d like to hear from:

  • People who face barriers using technology
  • People from our most deprived areas – see application form for more details
  • People from our health inclusion groups – including migrants and refugees, people who are homeless, people facing social exclusion.

Oral health community grant fund (Fund 3) – In-depth focus groups and community research – grants of up to £2,000 available

We are looking for community leaders and organisations to carry out in-depth focus groups and one-to-one discussions about oral health.

Your activity should focus on healthy mouths and teeth, gathering detailed insights from your community to help improve local services.

For more information and to support your application, please download this information pack on oral health grants for Wandsworth: Spring Engagement Grants – Google Drive

What’s involved?

  • Run structured focus groups and one-to-one interviews with:
    • People from our most deprived areas – see application form for more details
    • People from our health inclusion groups – for example people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation, refugees, migrants, Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities
    • Children and young people, their parents and carers
    • Older people over the age of 60
  • Join an NHS training session – covering how to record feedback and insight from the communities you work with and reach. 
  • Capture views, experiences and insights using key questions (provided by the NHS).
  • Submit a detailed report summarising your findings. Don’t worry we will help you plan for your report and provide lots of tips and guidance.
  • Join a listening event with NHS leaders – date coming soon!

Who we’d like to hear from:

  • Community leaders and organisations with strong connections to these communities and groups.
  • Those with the capacity to dedicate time to running structured discussions and reporting insights.

What could your funding support?

  • Focus groups and community research
  • Facilitator time for running in-depth discussions
  • Costs related to community engagement and participation.

How will applications be assessed?

You can apply for more than one grant, but applications will be assessed based on:

  • Reach and inclusion – how well you connect with the communities the NHS would like to reach. More information for each grant above.
  • Engagement approach – how you plan to capture insights and feedback from your communities.
  • Commitment to training and feedback – willingness to attend training and a follow-up interview.

Why your voice matters

As a community leader, you have the trust, connections, and insight to reach people in ways others can’t. By getting involved, you’ll help shape health and care services to better reflect the needs of Wandsworth residents.

Key information

  • Application deadline: 19 March 2025 at 17:00 
  • Funding available:
    • Fund 1 & 2: Up to £550
    • Fund 3: Up to £2,000
  • Who can apply: Community and voluntary organisations in Wandsworth.
  • To find out more – join our information session on Thursday 27 February at 1pm, please register sign up here!

How to apply?

Got questions?
Speak to a member of the team at Wandsworth Care Alliance:
Contact: Jessica on Jessica@wandcareall.org.uk.
 

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025: Help encourage others you know to get screened!

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This is a week long campaign that raises awareness about cervical cancer screening and prevention on 21-28th January 2025.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is an important time to raise awareness about the life-saving benefits of regular cervical screening. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and early detection through screening can significantly reduce the risk of developing it.

Why Cervical Screening is important?

Cervical screening, commonly known as a smear test, is designed to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer if left untreated. It is a crucial preventive measure that can catch potential issues early and ensure timely intervention. Here are some key reasons why cervical screening is essential:

  • Early detection: Screening can identify changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous, making treatment more effective.
  • HPV detection: The test also checks for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a major cause of cervical cancer.
  • Prevention: Removing abnormal cells early can prevent cervical cancer from developing in the first place.
  • Painless and quick: The test is straightforward, usually taking only a few minutes, and can be lifesaving. It may cause discomfort, but the process is less than 5 minutes long. To discover more about what happens at the appointment click here.

Tips to encourage more people to get screened:

Despite the benefits, many people delay or avoid cervical screening due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of awareness. Here are some ways to encourage more participation:

  1. Raise awareness: Share information through social media, community events, and workplace wellness programs to educate people about the importance of screening.
  2. Address common concerns: Providing reassurance about the procedure’s simplicity and effectiveness can help ease fears and misconceptions.
  3. Make appointments accessible: Encouraging healthcare providers to offer flexible hours and online booking can make it easier for people to attend.
  4. Normalise conversations: Open discussions about cervical health with friends, family, and healthcare professionals can help reduce stigma.
  5. Encourage support networks: Remind people that they can bring a friend or family member for support during their appointment.
  6. Promote free or low-cost options: Ensure people are aware of available services through public health programs.


Wandsworth Care Alliance, a charity that delivers Healthwatch Wandsworth worked with IVAR to find out what the barriers are in Wandsworth for Women and specifically South Asian Women. Researched showed Wandsworth was the lowest with Cervical Screening uptakes in England. Read more about our project and findings here.

They found Women were reluctant as it’s a taboo topic, language barriers and they didn’t know what to expect in the appointment.

Taboo topic

Cervical screening is often considered an embarrassing topic to talk about. We should encourage having early conversations to show it’s a normal thing to talk about.

Language
Did you know you can ask your GP for an interpreter to be present at your appointment or to have a doctor or nurse who is able to speak to you in your language?

To find out more about cervical screening in your language click here.

Cervical Cancer screening is a vital in preventing Cancer and saving lives. During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, let’s work together to raise awareness and encourage more people to prioritise their health by getting screened. If you’re due for your screening, book your appointment today and remind others to do the same. Your health matters!

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