Your Health Matters

Healthwatch Southwark undertook research on the impact of the Your Health Matters Community Health Roadshow, a community-based event designed to improve access to health information, support and services. Held on 29 July 2026 at Urban Village Hall, the event brought together NHS services, voluntary sector organisations, community groups and local residents. The roadshow achieved 89 registrations and welcomed 33 registered attendees alongside additional walk-in visitors. 

The event was created in response to feedback from residents who often struggled to find information about local services and support. Through dedicated community connectors, signposting support and interactive engagement activities, attendees were able to access advice, health checks and information from multiple organisations in a single location. Participants reported learning about services they had not previously known about and valued the opportunity to speak directly with professionals in an informal setting.

A key theme was prevention and early intervention. Residents engaged with services covering bowel cancer screening, breast cancer screening, blood sugar testing, blood donation, sickle cell awareness, mental health, sexual health and wider wellbeing support. The King's College Hospital Bowel Cancer Screening Team alone spoke with 20 people, helping attendees understand screening and access replacement test kits where needed. 

Healthwatch Southwark concluded that the roadshow successfully improved awareness of local services, strengthened connections between organisations and demonstrated the value of bringing health and community support directly into neighbourhood settings. Feedback showed a strong appetite for similar events in future, with the approach helping to support prevention, partnership working and more accessible community-based healthcare.