News and reports

On 26th February 2026, we partnered with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) to deliver Every Drop Matters - a community event focused on raising awareness of sickle cell and the importance of ethnically diverse blood donors. The session brought residents, Community Health Ambassadors and NHS partners together for open, accessible conversations about blood donation, sickle cell, and local health services.

Building healthier, happier, and stronger communities

“Your Life Vision is not a wish list. It is your roadmap to the life you have always imagined.”

Introduction

Every January, many of us begin the year full of motivation. Gyms are busy, new planners are opened, and we set intentions to improve our health, finances, relationships, or careers. Yet by mid-January, enthusiasm often fades and familiar habits return.

You may have seen Apple’s “Quit Quitting” advert, which highlights how easy it is to start strong and then quietly give up.

However, this is rarely about a lack of discipline. Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they are too narrow, unrealistic, or disconnected from real life. They often focus on one area in isolation rather than considering the whole person, which can lead to imbalance, burnout, and frustration.

If we want goals that last, we must move beyond resolutions and take a whole-life approach to wellbeing.

Our Healthwatch Community Ambassador Celebration brought together an incredible group of people who continue to make a real difference across our communities. It was a beautiful evening filled with warmth, connection, and gratitude - a moment to pause and recognise the impact our Ambassadors make every single day.

December has two important awareness days – International Day of Persons with disabilities, and International Volunteers Day. We couldn’t think of a better way to raise awareness and celebrate than sharing a personal story from our fantastic volunteer Sen.

See their words below!

Reflections from our June Coffee Morning on sexual health.

Learn more about autism support services in Southwark

Community engagement is at the heart of Healthwatch Southwark’s mission. By ensuring that the voices of residents are heard, we help shape local health and social care services to be more inclusive, responsive, and equitable. But what does effective community engagement look like? And why is it so important?

My experience as a Southwark Community Health Ambassador

Natasha shares her a bit about her experience of joining the Healthwatch Southwark Advisory Board, what activities she has been part of since being appointed in the role and words of encouragement for anyone looking to apply in this engaging blog.

The government’s 10-Year Health Plan provides an opportunity to address systemic inequities in healthcare and support Southwark’s most vulnerable populations.

Healthwatch Southwark’s response is grounded in feedback from our listening tour, signposting and feedback data, past projects, our Community Health Ambassadors Programme and collaborations with Community Southwark.

This document highlights critical priorities for improving health and care services, focusing on equity, integration, and prevention.

Empathy is at the heart of human interaction, especially in fields demanding emotional intelligence and a personal touch. In healthcare, where patients encounter vulnerable and stressful moments, empathy can truly change lives.
As proud advocates of care standards, we've seen firsthand how empathy elevates the overall patient experience in healthcare settings. Join us as we explore how empathy can revolutionise patient outcomes, boost safety, and enhance satisfaction.

On Friday 24 April I attended the Southwark Mental Health Carers Forum, where we heard about the proposal to move mental health inpatient wards for Lambeth residents from Lambeth Hospital to the Maudsley in Southwark.