Healthwatch Redbridge Celebrates the Power of Local Voices

News - 20 November 2024

Healthwatch Redbridge marked a momentous milestone on Tuesday with its Annual General Meeting (AGM) followed by a dynamic Community Fair. The event, which showcased the power of community organisations working together to support local people, brought 25 groups from across the London Borough of Redbridge to Redbridge Town Hall to offer vital health and wellbeing advice, support and signposting.

A photo of 3 people stood in a large public hall surrounded by community stalls. A woman in the middle communicates to the group with British Sign Language.

Celebrating 10 Years of Service

At the AGM, Healthwatch Redbridge reflected on a decade of dedicated service to the community as outgoing Chair, Lorraine Silver, and Board members, Athena Daniels and Mo Dedat retired.

Welcoming Gita Malhotra to her position as Chair and new Board members Afreen Jahan, Jerusan Jehanathan, Shahid Majid, and Lisa Mina the AGM was an opportunity to celebrate Healthwatch Redbridge’s ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes across the borough.

Thanking the retiring trustees for their service, Gita Malhotra said:

“I am deeply honoured to have been appointed the new Chair for Healthwatch Redbridge, a huge privilege and responsibility.

“I was brought up in Redbridge and have worked in health and care for over 35 years, so my connections to the borough and commitment to the health and wellbeing of our local people runs deep. My personal experiences as a carer for my late mother gave me firsthand insight into the strengths and challenges of our local health and care systems and has further fuelled my passion and drive for health equity, inclusion, and advocacy.”

A photograph of four people sitting at a conference table looking out at a seated crowd.

Achievements highlighted at the AGM

Mental Health First Aider Training: Over the past year Healthwatch Redbridge has provided Mental Health First Aider Training to individuals who live and work across the borough, providing local people with vital skills to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Women’s Health Project: Following on from Healthwatch England’s investigation into the barriers preventing women from accessing Cervical Screenings, Healthwatch Redbridge launched an extended project to understand the needs and challenges of local women in accessing reproductive health services, support and education.

Advocacy Workshops: Partnering with One Place East and Sensory Specialists, Healthwatch Redbridge has delivered workshops for residents with communication support needs to empower them to advocate for their rights and ensure their care is being communicated with dignity and respect, in ways that are accessible to them.

A photo of a woman holding a microphone as she delivers a speech.

Community Projects

The AGM saw Community Network Members, Redbridge Rainbow and Black Woman’s Kindness Initiative share the impact of their projects supported by the Healthwatch Redbridge Community Cash Fund, a grant provided to local organisations to support projects that better health outcomes within the community.

Redbridge Rainbow: Simon Shaw demonstrated the importance of putting patient experience at the heart of care provision as he presented the findings of Redbridge Rainbow’s investigation into the experiences of local LGBTQ+ residents in accessing medical services.

Black Woman’s Kindness Initiative: Cherrill Hutchinson and Raquel Cerezo Martin reflected on the steps they have taken to build on the success of the Better Me, Better Life Campaign, establishing the Wellbeing Hub – a vital resource for the community.

Cherrill Hutchinson, the Director and Founder of Black Woman’s Kindness Initiative, said:

“The Networking community [Healthwatch Redbridge] have created is a fantastic platform for organisations, groups and individuals to connect and collaborate. We were definitely lucky to have been able to do so and create the Hub”.

A photo of two women addressing a crowd.

Community Fair – A Unified Network of Support

The Community Fair, held in the heart of the borough, attracted over 200 attendees. Together, groups from across Redbridge provided a wider range of health advice, resources and support to local residents.

Looking ahead, Healthwatch Redbridge remains committed to its mission of championing the local voice to shape better health and social care services. With plans to continue the Women’s Health Project, continue training and support initiatives and deepen community partnerships, the organisation looks forward to continuing to drive positive change.

Chair of Healthwatch Redbridge, Gita Malhotra said,

“As we embark on this new chapter, I am really excited to work with our team and board to amplify residents’ voices, influence meaningful change, and ensure that every individual’s experience becomes a catalyst for better care.” “Together, we will continue to be a critical friend to decision-makers, maintaining our independence but also working collaboratively to shape a fairer, more inclusive health and care system for all of the residents and citizens in Redbridge.