From SWLStG
Community-led action plan launches
Download the Action Plan
A community-led action plan to prevent a mental health crisis and to promote recovery launched last week.
South London Listens, a unique partnership between the NHS, local authorities, and community organisations today launched their action plan to respond to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.
Launched in 2020 by the three Mental Health Trusts in south London (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust), and in partnership with local authorities, South London Listens heard from more than 6,000 people about how the pandemic had impacted their mental health and what they needed to support their recovery.
In July, community leaders called on the mental health Trusts, as well as local authorities and other public bodies to support their recovery from the pandemic by pledging their support for a series of asks.
The South London Listens Action Plan, published today, sets out how the South London Listens programme partners will deliver on their pledges over the next two years.
The plan covers 12 pledges across four priority areas:
- Loneliness, social isolation and community involvement
- Work and wages
- Children, young people and parental mental health
- Access to services
Projects will include training 650 people across south London to become Mental Health Champions to help those suffering from mental ill-health. The programme will also establish 120 mental health and wellbeing hubs for people to turn to when they feel their mental health is low or simple to feel more connected with their local community.
Mental health Trusts and local authorities have pledged to work towards becoming Living Wage accredited and encouraging others to do so. The programme will also be launching two projects to support the mental health of parents and investing in embedding mental health practitioners in communities.
Download the full South London Listens Action Plan
The South London Listens programme has successfully secured £1m in funding to deliver this programme of work that will be delivered in partnership with the community.
An Accountability Summit will be held in summer 2022 to demonstrate progress against the action plan.
Ann Beasley CBE, Co-Chair of the South London Listens Taskforce and Chair of South West London and St Georges NHS Trust said: “Our communities have been very clear about the toll the pandemic has taken and continues to take on their mental health. This action plan demonstrates our commitment to delivering on our pledges and supporting our communities recovery.
“We know there is a long road ahead of us, but by working in partnership and listening to we can take practical action that will have a real impact on people’s lives.”
Sir Norman Lamb, Co-Chair of the South London Listens Taskforce and Chair of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said:
“The community summit in June powerfully set an agenda for action to prevent mental ill-health and promote recovery. It is now our job to make sure the pledges we made become a reality.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to make a lasting change. and it is inspiring to be working in such close partnership between the NHS, local authorities, and members of our communities. Together we are going to make lasting improvements to people’s lives.”