Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham Annual Report 2024–2025
Our Achievements
Community Engagement
- Supported 896 individuals with advice and signposting.
- Collected feedback from 538 residents about their experiences of local services.
- Provided tailored support to 102 individuals seeking guidance.
Reports Published
This year, we released five key reports, including on bowel cancer screening and women’s reproductive health. These have directly influenced how services are delivered.
Volunteer Contributions
Our dedicated 17 volunteers contributed 281 hours, helping with outreach, data collection, and service evaluations.
Key Projects
- Social Care Access – Addressed barriers faced by the South Asian community, leading to more culturally sensitive care.
- Women’s Reproductive Health – Improved communication, staff training, and access to vital services.
- Enter and View – Carried out eight visits to care homes, resulting in better leisure and spiritual activities for residents.
Community Impact
- Maternity Equality – Helped shape the North East London Maternity Equity and Equality Strategy, improving access for non-English speakers and embedding trauma-informed care.
- Healthy Living – Our recommendations on diet, physical activity, and weight management influenced the design of local services.
- Faith Communities – Worked with faith leaders to raise awareness of diabetes and build trust between communities and health services.
Volunteers and Students
Volunteers and students played an essential role in outreach, data collection, and community awareness. Work placements offered valuable experience in public health and strengthened local capacity for future service improvements.
Looking Ahead
In the year ahead, our priorities will include:
- Focusing on carers’ experiences and adult social care.
- Continuing to amplify community voices.
- Strengthening partnerships with the Integrated Care System, ensuring patient feedback directly informs service delivery.
At Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham, we remain committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and impactful health and social care services for every resident.