Residents, community groups and council staff came together last month to celebrate the great work happening in Greenwich’s neighbourhoods to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
The ‘Big Community Meet Up’ brought together people from Thamesmead, Plumstead and Glyndon, Blackheath and Charlton, and Horn Park.
Over the past few years, the council and NHS have been working closely with local people to make it easier to get help, improve access to services, and support stronger, healthier communities.
These neighbourhoods have been the focus because they face the biggest challenges around jobs, education, transport, access to green spaces, and mental health.
At the event, people took part in activities and discussions to:
- celebrate local success stories
- make better use of skills and support
- break down barriers and improve communication
- build a shared vision for the future
Yinka, a resident who attended said:
“I truly appreciated the sense of unity and purpose throughout the event. It was inspiring to be part of something so meaningful.”
Tanaz, who also attended said:
“The best thing for me was the sense of community and pride, coming together with different ideas and a shared goal to give back to our community. Also to be seen and valued for who we are.”
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary said: “When local people help shape our priorities – everyone benefits. Research by the NHS Confederation has found that we see better health outcomes, stronger communities and more trust in local services when we listen to the communities that use them.
“Our priority will always be our resident's health and wellbeing, and tackling health inequalities. Events like this allow us to come together to improve services and work together as one to really see results. We thank everyone that participated, and we’re looking forward to creating real change to help everyone live healthier and happier lives, no matter your postcode.”
Ideas from the event will guide the next stage of our community and neighbourhood health plans, keeping local voices at the heart of everything we do.
If you'd like to get involved in your community, please email community-champions@royalgreenwich.gov.uk with your name, postcode and neighbourhood you live in (Blackheath and Charlton, Horn Park, Plumstead and Glyndon or Thamesmead).