Exploring the local impact of the Covid 19 pandemic: focus group with members of WAND UK

In January 2020, Healthwatch Central West London launched a Small Grant project to reach people in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea who are under-represented in conversations about health and social care. They added to the grant during the pandemic to understand the concerns of hard to reach communities.  They spoke with eighteen members of the Women’s Association for Networking and Development (WAND), an organisation which provides support, outreach and networking opportunities predominantly for female asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in June 2020.

People expressed concerns about accessing non-emergency treatment. They were worried about the long-term impact of cancelled appointments, check-ups and non-emergency surgeries. They described the strain they feel living with uncertainty about their treatment.

Women also raised concerns about the impact of the pandemic on local people’s mental wellbeing. They spoke about the toll that lockdowns, isolation, uncertainty and change have had on their mental wellbeing.

People were also worried about lockdown easing. As early as May 2020, some participants still expressed worries about the relaxation of lockdown measures. Participants have expressed worry about the long-term impact of these lockdowns, and about how safe life post-lockdown will be.