How people feel about living in Medway: A spotlight report focusing on the peninsula villages of Allhallows, Cliffe, Cliffe Woods, High Halstow, Isle of Grain and Stoke

Healthwatch Medway undertook research into the experiences of those living Allhallows, Cliffe, Cliffe Woods, High Halstow, Isle of Grain and Stoke. In January 2024, they engaged with 45 residents living in rural areas on the peninsula.

• 100% of people who are involved in community groups said that they do like where they live.
• 91% of respondents said that they like the area in which they live.
• 87% of those involved in community groups were over the age of 65.
• 77% of people said that environmental factors where they lived had an impact upon their health and wellbeing.
• 73% of people involved in community groups believe that being involved has an impact on their health and wellbeing.
• 67% of people that were involved in community groups were female, twice the number of men.
• 50% of people we spoke to who have a disability were involved in a community group.
• 40% of respondents found being involved in community groups was helpful for staying active.
• 0% of carers they spoke to said they were involved in a community group, despite carers making up 13% of overall respondents.

Healthwatch Medway will share this report with health and social care services to help build an understanding of how the areas where people live impact on them, and how they can work together with services to improve Medway residents’ quality of life.