1000 South London Citizens show people power at local assembly
1000 South London Citizens show people power at local assembly
Today, a thousand community leaders across South London Citizens filled St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Southwark for a powerful assembly filled with stories, music, theatre and energy for change.
Community leaders from South London Citizens alliances asked decision makers from local authorities, government and the NHS for commitments on a range of issues such as health, inclusive services, work and wages, and housing.
For all who call South London home,
In a world of mounting fear, we are the voices building hope
- Aditi
During the assembly, Citizens UK and King’s announced the launch of the UK's first Equity Neighbourhood, together with with local people, the NHS, businesses, and Southwark Council. This initiative aims to tackle the social and economic causes of poor health, from access to good work and local services to housing and income, with hopes that this model could be replicated across the UK.
More of the powerful commitments secured on the night include:
- Plans for a disused building to become 27 temporary accommodation units for people who are homeless
- Plans for three NHS-owned sites for genuinely affordable housing
- Commitment for a new partnership to support pregnant women who are migrants and at risk of destitution
- St George’s Hospital Trust and an Integrated Care Board (ICB) accrediting as Living Wage employers
- An end to charging for GP letters for housing purposes
- Local authorities to pay for free WiFi in temporary accommodation
- Continued support for the Be Well programme which is about relational work in civic institutions to tackle loneliness and promote wellbeing
I’m really pleased to be at the South London Citizens' health assembly. There is a buzz in the room. People coming together really multiplies the impact we have! Grassroots organising, people are given the platform to make the changes they want to see in their community. When you are alone, you don’t have this connection, and you feel like no one can hear you, but through working together, you see how it is possible to make a change.
The NHS is here today; they are listening to us, to really bridge the gap between the community and the services they provide.
Fouzia – Lewisham Islamic Centre
It’s great being here at the assembly today and to represent Parent Power. We’ve historically struggled to bring in dads to our work, so now I’m championing this. For the first time, in our last meeting, we had the largest number of dads turn out, and the movement is growing! I’m also a champion of men’s mental health, and I look forward to being on stage to secure commitments on this.
Samuel - Parent Power, King's College London
To end the evening, community leaders and decision makers tied pieces of ribbon together across the cathedral to symbolise their unwavering commitment to working with each other.
Our liberation and justice are bound up with each other’s. We are tied together, across all our differences, in our hope for a South London where everyone can live, work, and grow.
Reverend Steff Wright
We are an alliance of over 100 organisations, including schools, religious institutions, migrant groups, and others - all coming together to create change.