Healthy Neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets worked with LB Tower Hamlets to find out what services are important to local people and how well these services in different parts of the borough meet their needs. The findings from this survey will be used to formulate a plan to support the development of local neighbourhoods with the aim of improving people’s health and well-being. They spoke to 396 people via a survey and focus groups.

When asked how proud residents are of their area, the majority told us that they are Somewhat proud (43%). People from Bangladeshi backgrounds were most likely to feel Extremely or Very proud of their area when compared by ethnicity. LGBT+ people were less likely to feel Extremely or Very proud compared to Heterosexual/straight people.

When asked how safe residents feel, the majority of residents (41%) told us that they feel safe in their local area, but more than a quarter (27%) said they do not feel safe. Many residents mentioned the high level of crime and anti-social behaviour as the main reason for feeling unsafe.  LGBT+ people and people from White other backgrounds were most likely to say they do not feel safe.

A large portion of the respondents (41%) said that they would like to see a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour, specifically around drug dealing and substance abuse, speeding, and ‘rat-running’. Residents also felt that there should be an increased police presence on the streets.

Over a third of residents (36%) would like to see improvements made to the general environment. Respondents mentioned the need to improve the overall cleanliness in public spaces by stopping littering and graffitiing, increasing the number of recycling facilities, and improving the waste collection services and the maintenance of parks. They also would like to see more parks and planting of trees and flowers.

29% of respondents would like to see a reduction in motorised traffic as it is having a negative impact on their health and well-being through pollution and the inability to safely travel around the borough by cycling or walking. This was more important to residents from White backgrounds whereas people of Bangladeshi ethnicity saw it as less of a priority with only 8% saying they would like to see a reduction in traffic and more walking/cycling opportunities. • Instead, respondents from the Bangladeshi community said they would like to see an improvement in services and activities for children and young people.

The most important services to have near people’s homes were GP, Green space, Post Office, Community Pharmacy, Underground station, and Supermarket. While 88% or more of the respondents had access to a GP, Green space, Post Office, and Community Pharmacy, fewer people told us that they had an Underground station (82%) or a Supermarket (80%) near their home. People from Bangladeshi backgrounds rated having a bus station as the most important service to have near home. They also rated having a place of worship near home as important but less than 2 out of 3 people told us that they had one close to home. Just over a third (34%) of the respondents felt that having better access to healthy and affordable food such as fresh fruit and vegetables within their local area instead of the multitude of fast-food shops on the high streets would help them to eat better. People from Bangladeshi backgrounds wanted to have access to healthy eating programmes.

Just over a quarter of residents (27%) said that having access to affordable, local gyms and leisure centres, including free exercise equipment in local parks and access to local swimming pools, would encourage them to exercise more.

Community centres (17%), and city farms and community gardens (11%) were the most valued community and voluntary organisations in the borough, although there was a wide range of different types of organisations mentioned by the survey respondents. 1 in 10 respondents (11%) were not aware of any community organisations. With regards to health and social care services, residents would most want to improve GP services (45%) due to difficulty with booking an appointment followed by Dental services (19%). A third of the respondents (33%) said that the education and learning facilities in the borough Fully or Mostly meet their needs. They said that while local libraries and Idea Stores are good learning resources, more affordable educational courses for adults would be appreciated.

Half of the respondents (50%) have good access to spaces with opportunities for play and recreation. People specifically commented on having access to a park within their local area. However, some noted that parks and other green spaces are not always well kept and antisocial behaviour occurs within parks which can make them unpleasant. People from Bangladeshi backgrounds were most likely to say they do not have access to spaces with opportunities for play and recreation with the main reason being the lack of parks and green spaces in their local area.

A quarter of residents (25%) said that housing in the borough currently does not meet their needs, and only slightly more people said that it does. Residents commented on a lack of affordable housing in the borough and the poor condition of social housing. People from Bangladeshi backgrounds were most likely to comment on the poor condition of housing. People from White backgrounds were most likely to comment on a lack of affordable housing.

Most residents (83%) said that public transport either Fully or Mostly meets their needs with good access to bus, underground and other transport services. However, some residents commented on infrequent or delayed bus services. People from Bangladeshi backgrounds were most likely to say that public transport only Somewhat meets their needs. Based on the feedback, it seems they are more likely to use bus services that can be infrequent and delayed.

Just under a third of residents (32%) told us they did not have good access to spaces where they could meet people. People told us that while they have good access to green spaces, there is a need for more community events or centres, and affordable cafes and restaurants.

LGBT+ respondents highlighted the need for more inclusivity and the integration of different communities within Tower Hamlets (14%). The comments around this theme mostly related to suggestions on more LGBT+ spaces, events, and services. Residents said that making the borough more inclusive would increase their feeling of safety and make accessing different services easier due to not being afraid. LGBT+ respondents told us that they value local organisations such as Elop, Positive East, and Glass House, but based on the feedback, it seems there is a lack of LGBT+ services in Tower Hamlets. Some respondents mentioned not using any community organisations because they were not aware of services that cater to the LGBT+ community.

Residents with disabilities wanted to have better access to local grocery stores with a good variety of food (12%) and that it is important to have GP services near home (11%).  For residents with disabilities, increasing the number of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods was also seen as important, as this would make walking or moving around their neighbourhood safer. In addition, for people with visual impairments, people said that it is important to keep pavements clear of things such as dog waste and discarded hire bikes. Disabled residents are less likely to think that they have good access to spaces for play and recreation compared to residents with no disabilities (44% compared to 58% of heterosexual/straight people). Respondents mentioned a lack of seating in public places, feeling too anxious to go outside due to a lack of mental health support, and the need for better access to spaces for those with visual impairments.

The proportion of people with disabilities who felt that public transport meets their needs was smaller compared to the proportion of people with no disabilities (79% compared to 89%). Residents felt that there is a need to make it more accessible for people with disabilities by introducing step-free access at stations for example.

The report contains 18 recommendations to address the findings in the report.