Wandsworth Care Alliance

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

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Community impact highlights from our Mental Health Project Manager

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re proud to spotlight some of the work of our Voicing Views – Mental Health Project Manager (PM), who has been at the forefront of tackling inequality and improving access to inclusive care across our community.

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Parents through Perinatal challenges

In partnership with Queer Wandsworth, our PM was involved in an initiative to explore the perinatal mental health experiences of LGBTQIA+ parents. The engagement revealed a number of barriers and emotional challenges:

  • Emotional instability & stigma: many felt ashamed or dismissed during pregnancy and early parenthood.
  • Exclusion from services: barriers to accessing care, especially for trans individuals were reported, driven by binary-centric systems and staff misunderstandings.
  • Non-inclusive language: phrases like “Mother-baby unit” led to feelings of invisibility.
  • Lack of staff training: Gaps in knowledge created miscommunication and clinical risk.
  • Loss of identity & belonging: many struggled to find support networks that recognised their lived experiences.
  • Value of inclusive support: peer-led and identity-affirming spaces were seen as vital.

These preliminary insights will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of LGBTQIA+ perinatal mental health needs and more inclusive service planning. These findings are due to be formally published in the Transgender journal of health in late 2025.

Improving cancer outcomes in underserved communities

Working alongside Macmillan Cancer Support and RM Partners, the PM participated in focus groups and strategic forums to explore mental health and wellbeing across cancer care pathways, especially for ethnically diverse and low-income communities.

Key themes identified:

  • Better information access: patients need clearer, culturally relevant information.
  • Emotional & peer support: gaps in counselling, especially in minority groups, are significant.
  • Improved communication: medical language can feel overwhelming without advocacy or explanation.
  • Digital & financial exclusion: practical support must go beyond medical care.
  • Encouraging early screening: tackling fear, stigma, and low awareness is crucial.
  • Aftercare & recovery: survivors need stronger post-treatment pathways, especially to return to work.
  • Palliative care understanding: Cultural stigma often delays support at the end-of-life stage.

The PM’s continued involvement in the RM Partners People & Communities Strategic Forum ensures that mental health remains a core part of cancer service planning.

Bridging gaps through data & community

As part of ongoing collaboration with RM Partners, the following priorities have emerged:

  • Data-led deprivation mapping to identify hidden inequalities.
  • Accessible digital services for both primary and secondary care.
  • Community outreach to design services with the people who need them most.
  • Culturally sensitive engagement to reduce stigma and improve service trust.

Looking ahead

The Mental Health Project Manager continues to serve as a connector between the community and system-level health initiatives.

By centring marginalised voices, addressing stigma, and championing early intervention, Voicing Views are shaping a future where mental health support is inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all.

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Week, these community insights underscore the importance of inclusive strategies and sustained engagement to reduce mental health inequalities and improve population wellbeing.

WCA joins Mindful Employer to champion Mental Health at work

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We’re proud to announce that Wandsworth Care Alliance has joined the Mindful Employer program, committing to support better mental health at work.

The Mindful Employer Charter, developed by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, is a national initiative supporting organisations to take a positive and practical approach to mental wellbeing in the workplace. By signing the Charter, WCA has made a public commitment to:

  • Provide non-judgemental, proactive support
  • Create an inclusive, stigma-free environment
  • Equip managers to support staff wellbeing
  • Uphold fair recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act (2010)

As a signatory, we gain access to exclusive resources, support, and the option to introduce a cost-effective Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that benefits both employees and volunteers.

This step reinforces our ongoing commitment to creating a healthy, supportive workplace culture for our team, our partners, and the wider community we serve.

Learn more about the programme here: mindfulemployer.dpt.nhs.uk

Supporting community growth: Our Roehampton and Wandsworth Care Alliance, fundraising workshop for partner organisations

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On Friday 4th April 2025, Our Roehampton, in collaboration with Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA), held a successful fundraising workshop for local community groups. Designed to build confidence and skills in fundraising, the in-person event welcomed seven groups, including two new to the network for an engaging afternoon of practical learning, information-sharing, and networking.

Meeting the funders

The workshop began with presentations from two key funders:

  • Sarayu Shah, Community Project Officer at Groundwork London, introduced the Tesco Community Grants scheme and shared how local groups can access this funding to support community initiatives.
  • Harriet Steele, Voluntary Sector Partnership Manager at Wandsworth Council, provided an overview of the Council’s grant funding process. She acknowledged the challenges some groups have faced and encouraged early conversations with Council officers to better understand the application requirements and avoid technical rejections.

Practical skills in Grant Writing

The core of the event was a hands-on training session led by Alison Ewart, a fundraising consultant with WCA. Alison guided participants through the essentials of writing strong funding applications, including how to build realistic budgets. Her practical, interactive approach sparked insightful questions from attendees.

To support their ongoing learning, Alison later shared helpful resources, including:

  • A budget template
  • A list of small funders from the Greater London Authority
  • Ideas for community fundraising
  • A guide to financial controls for small voluntary organisations

Exploring support and building connections

Ravi Vyas, Development Manager at WCA, spoke with attendees about the tailored support WCA can offer. Many groups were not yet familiar with WCA’s services, and the conversation was a valuable opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build new relationships. Participants also enjoyed networking time with each other, helping to strengthen the wider Roehampton community network.

This workshop is a great example of how practical training, meaningful connections, and shared support can empower local groups to build capacity and create lasting impact.

Interested in more events like this? Email Ravi@wandcareall.org.uk to book onto future development workshops.

Introducing the new Wandsworth Provider Alliance

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The Wandsworth Provider Alliance is a really new initiative designed to enhance health and care services across Wandsworth through the collaboration of organisations that provide health and social care service.

What is the Wandsworth Provider Alliance and its purpose?

The Alliance is a partnership between primary care providers, NHS trusts, the local council, and community organisations. Rather than creating a new organisation, it will bring together existing providers to work more effectively across primary care, community health, mental health, and social care and it hopes to include voluntary sector providers.

How it will work?

The Alliance will operate within the South West London Integrated Care System (ICS), aligning its strategies with regional healthcare plans. It will focus on five key themes, selecting and prioritising projects that enhance collaboration and integration. It will deliver most of this work through programmes and services, supported by member organisations.

To learn more about the Wandsworth Provider Alliance please see presentation slides below which were shared at our Voluntary Sector Forum on Wednesday 2nd April 2025.

Key goals:

  • Improving health outcomes: Ensuring high-quality, patient focused care.
  • Reducing inequalities: Addressing disparities in healthcare access and service provision.
  • Enhancing efficiency: Streamlining resources and collaboration among service providers.
  • Supporting economic and social development: Ensuring that healthcare improvements contribute to broader community well-being.

What has happened so far:

  • Alignment with NHS national and local priorities for integrating care services and to improve outcomes for residents. Between October and December 2024, community-based NHS health and social care organisations came together to start to define its purpose, governance, and scope.
  • The Wandsworth Provider Alliance came into existence on 1st April 2025.
  • Wandsworth Care Alliance have so far been to the earlier meetings. On 2nd April we invited James Walker as Programme Lead to introduce the Alliance and what it hopes to achieve at the Voluntary Sector Forum so that the voluntary sector can become aware of the Alliance.

What will happen next:

Wandsworth Care Alliance will continue to contribute to the Alliance meetings to support the evolution of the Alliance and the future involvement of the voluntary sector organisations relevant to its work. Whilst we cannot represent the individual interests of other voluntary sector organisations or commit organisations to anything, we will support the evolution of the Alliance and greater involvement of the sector.

When the work plan evolves there will be a clearer picture of what is needed and which organisations this is relevant to.

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.
 

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