Background
South London Listens began in response to the psychological fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, recognising the need to provide mental ill-health prevention. It represents a collaboration of three NHS mental health trusts (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust), the strategic partner Citizens UK, local authorities, the Integrated Care Systems across south east and south west London, local Healthwatch organisations, and community organisations including schools, colleges, universities, faith organisations and small charities. Collaboration and joint working is crucial for preventing people's lives being affected by mental ill-health.
The initiative represents a new and different approach to working with communities on critical issues, by involving communities in shaping actions, with clear ownership of how to take them forward together. The South London Listens campaign has heard from over 10,000 people across South London - identifying key issues such as loneliness, social isolation, digital exclusion, and the mental health impacts on children, young people, and parents. The Be Well programme was developed by South London Listens in response to these issues raised by the community.
Be Well programme
In June 2022, South London Listens launched the Be Well programme in collaboration with Citizens UK to promote community-based mental health and wellbeing support. The initiative is distinct from other health hubs found in public places such as shopping centres. Instead, their community organising model is based on scaling up the capacity and power of existing community organisations, by bringing community organisations together with health services. The aim of the hubs is to provide community access to wellbeing support, alongside offering opportunities to hear directly from communities about their needs, and to provide spaces to promote locally driven changes. The programme is inspired by community organising models, which emphasise collective action and the tackling of structural inequalities that negatively affect mental health.
South London Listens recognised that many existing community-based organisations, such as faith groups, schools, and voluntary organisations, already have established trust with their communities - strengthening their capacity to deliver tailored mental health support and advocate on behalf of their needs. The result is a community-led, culturally responsive approach to mental health support that encourages long-term positive change.
The programme initially partnered with strategic allies already known to South London Listens partners, but over time it has expanded to include a diverse range of organisations across South London. Since the programme's launch, over 80 Be Well sites have have been established, with many more in development across boroughs from Merton to Greenwich, engaging with groups such as the Lewisham Islamic Centre, Kingston Carers Network, and various schools. The flexibility of the Be Well programme allows the sites to address a broad range of issues affecting mental health. For example, in Sutton the local Library, Family Hubs, Mental Health Foundation and South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust have collaborated to offer support to parents. Elsewhere, the Ravens Group at Bromley Football Club provides social activities for older adults who may be feeling isolated.
I think that community settings are a perfect place for de-stigmatising mental health - this Be Well value really resonates with me and I think that every day settings (such as libraries), in which a range of local professionals and services can provide support, in a safe and familiar setting, is great. We are bringing the conversation around mental health into everyday life (and therefore helping to normalise that kind of conversation), rather than it having to be a big, scary thing that you need to go to a specific health setting to access.
Library Support, Sutton Libraries
Through the initiative, each participating organisation delivers at least one monthly wellbeing activity tailored to the needs of their community members. These activities have taken many forms, ranging from bereavement cafés to creative arts workshops, peer support groups for single fathers, and wellness programmes for older adults. This approach allows each service to provide services that are most relevant to the people it serves, while still maintaining a core focus on mental health and wellbeing. Through these preventative initiatives, individuals and communities are supported before their mental health needs reach crisis point.
Training and support
South London Listens supports the development of the Be Well programme through training and capacity-building. The approach involves training voluntary mental health champions, who go on to lead the Be Well sites. Be Well champions are local leaders who provide listening support, information, and signposting to mental health services within their communities, serving as crucial points of contact for those in need. Each Be Well site is required to have a recognised champion. Champions are required to complete training in mental health, delivered by South London Listens, and in community organising, delivered by Citizens UK. The mental health training covers mental health awareness, boundaries, active listening, signposting and safeguarding. To date, 374 individuals have been trained as Be Well champions.
The Be Well sites and champions can access on-going support from a community organiser, but also through accessing borough networks, further training on issues like cultural competency, and individual mentoring. The individualised support offers guidance on creating action plans, and networking opportunities. Peer learning is encouraged through sharing ideas, best practice and successes. The trust is also exploring opportunities to ensure that their training and support packages are accessible, through face-to-face training and training in different languages. At least 112 leaders have engaged in further top-up training to further develop their skills and offer.
Alongside this, participating organisations are encouraged to review their internal processes and culture, to ensure they foster positive wellbeing. This internal reflection is key to South London Listens' aim to embed lasting change within existing community organisations.
Co-production with communities
Co-production is at the heart of the Be Well programme, to ensure that services provided are reflective of local community needs – building on the success of South London Listens. The programme is an ongoing, collaborative process in which community members actively contribute to shaping the programme's activities and outcomes. Listening exercises have included hosting events, coffee mornings and one to one conversations with individuals. The Be Well champions and sites design campaigns in response to the asks of their communities. By creating a supportive, connected network, the Be Well sites help individuals and communities to feel more empowered and better equipped to address the broader social issues that impact mental wellbeing, and to take proactive steps in managing their mental health.
Impact
The Be Well programme has had a substantial impact on communities across South London. A 2023 evaluation of the programme by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust found that the hubs are engaging with a conservative estimate of 3,000 individuals each month.
A notable outcome of the programme is its focus on encouraging local campaigns. To date, 27 Be Well sites have used their training to launch community-driven campaigns tackling the root causes of mental health issues. These campaigns have focused on important issues such as fair wages, LGBTQIA+ support, and housing, demonstrating the programme's commitment to addressing structural and systematic inequalities that impact mental wellbeing. Looking forward, the Be Well programme has embedded a focus on housing, a key social determinant, as a core priority of the initiative.
The initiative has also encouraged significant personal growth among the Be Well champions. Many have reported improved confidence in managing their own mental health, as well as increased motivation to drive change within their communities. Dr Karl Rutlidge, a minister at Kingston Methodist Church, described the mental health training as "some of the best I have received", adding that it has given him and his team the confidence to better support the mental health needs of their local community.
It has fostered a sense of unity and connection among local populations. Individuals within communities have reported improvements in overall wellbeing, through reduced stigma associated with mental health, boosting self-esteem and confidence.
The programme has also had a profound impact on young people specifically. Secondary school students involved in Be Well sites have had opportunities to engage directly with decision-makers in the NHS and local authorities, advocating for better mental health support for their peers. This experience has helped to empower students to take on leadership roles and to feel that their voices are being heard, both within their schools and in the wider community.
The Be Well programme demonstrates the power of community-based interventions in improving mental health outcomes. By leveraging existing community networks, promoting co-production and addressing structural inequalities, South London Listens has created a model that not only meets the immediate needs of its diverse patient population but also builds a foundation for sustainable, long-term change.
More information about the Be Well programme can be found at: southlondonlistens.org/champions