By Aba Amihyia
As part of our Borough Spotlight for the Supporting London Boroughs Engagement Project, which was funded by the Greater London Authority and delivered in partnership with London Councils, we're highlighting the exciting work being done by; Redbridge, Wandsworth, Sutton and Westminster Council.
Redbridge Council
Redbridge Council developed and launched “BSL On Demand,” a tailored service designed to engage and communicate with the borough’s Deaf residents, including live online BSL interpreters. This service was co-designed with local Deaf residents and built through cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring it meets the community’s needs and has broad support across council services.
Here’s how Redbridge Council has made a difference:
BSL On Demand: With the introduction of live, online BSL interpreters, Redbridge has made it easier for Deaf residents to access essential health information. This addresses a key health inequality gap in the borough and provides critical information in an accessible format.
Cross-Council Collaboration: The implementation of BSL On Demand required coordination across council departments. This collaborative effort has resulted in a system that filters down to front-line staff, ensuring consistent and accessible communication for BSL users across all services.
Co-Design for Impact: By working directly with Deaf residents, Redbridge ensured the service was designed with their real-world needs in mind. This collaborative approach has led to a solution that truly works for the community, enhancing healthcare accessibility and reducing inequality.
Wider Reach: As one BSL user shared: “I will be telling all the people I know who use BSL, if they have any issues they can contact Redbridge Council direct online, it’s so easy!”
Positive Change: This project has not only made healthcare more accessible for BSL users but also created a new council-wide system that ensures inclusive communication, benefiting both the Deaf community and the council’s overall service delivery.
Sutton Council
Sutton Council has made significant strides in engaging young people by collaborating with their young residents to explore their experiences and challenges, involving them directly in the development of research methodologies that address pressing local issues. Through youth-led summits and surveys designed by young people for young people, Sutton has tapped into the insights and experiences of its younger residents to inform council policy.
Here’s how Sutton Council has made a difference:
Youth-Led Summit: Sutton hosted a youth summit managed by young people, featuring a diverse lineup of committed organisations, facilitating a direct dialogue on the cost-of-living crisis.
Empowering Research: Young people led the development of a comprehensive survey, gathering over 1200 responses, to explore the impact of the cost-of-living on their peers. This initiative highlighted the value of involving youth in research methodologies.
Meaningful Dialogue: The project enabled young people to engage in significant discussions with the council and police about key local issues. As one participant expressed, “Having more workshops or activities linked to cost-of-living and being able to understand it in more depth” was a common desire.
This approach not only provides the council with actionable insights but also empowers young people to take an active role in shaping the future of their borough.
Wandsworth Council
Wandsworth Council have been at the forefront of empowering young people and marginalised groups through targeted participation projects. From trauma-informed dance workshops for care-experienced children to a carnival-inspired music project that brought together vulnerable youth, these initiatives have provided a platform for young people to develop new skills, build social capital, and advocate for issues that matter to them.
Here’s how Wandsworth Council have made a difference:
Young Carers Residential: Enabled young carers to attend a national residential festival, providing them with a supportive environment to connect and recharge.
Trauma-Informed Dance Project: A 13-week dance program at the Royal Academy of Dance for care-experienced children and young people, promoting healing and self-expression through movement.
New Gen Podcast: Recruited young people to produce a podcast, raising awareness about local issues affecting them and giving them a platform to voice their concerns.
Carnival-Inspired Music Project: A three-day event bringing together vulnerable young people to create a carnival band, culminating in a performance at the Battersea Arts Centre. One participant shared:
“Wandsworth bloco is an amazing place where I got to learn and make friends.
I got to enjoy myself and have fun.”
Here’s how these initiatives have made a difference:
Skill Development: Young people developed new skills and gained a platform to advocate for issues that matter to them.
Building Social Capital: These projects allowed participants to build social connections and forge deeper bonds within their community.
By giving these groups the tools and opportunities to express themselves, Wandsworth Council are fostering a sense of community and belonging, ensuring that every young voice is heard and valued.
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council’s "Human Libraries" project allowed residents to share their lived experiences and personal stories in an open, welcoming environment.
By inviting 43 residents of six diverse groups from different backgrounds and sectors to participate in workshops and recording sessions, the council provided a platform for residents to explore themes such as personal resilience, identity, and the challenges they face.
The programme aimed to use these personal narratives to inform council services, making them more responsive and effective.
Here’s how Westminster Council has made a difference:
Human Libraries: Through workshops and recording sessions, residents shared their stories, fostering a deeper understanding between the community and council staff. As one participant noted: “Fantastic project. Very important to tell stories for future generations for future people now in need.”
Building Insights and Relationships: Community Development Officers (CDOs) reported gaining new insights and forming stronger relationships with community members.
Effective Communication: Both CDOs and community groups found this new medium to be an effective way to share experiences and build trust.
This storytelling project not only builds stronger connections between the council and its community but also helps future generations understand the diverse narratives that make up Westminster.
As we conclude our Borough Spotlight series, all the councils involved in the Supporting London Boroughs Engagement Project have demonstrated commitment and innovation in addressing the unique needs of their communities, setting an inspiring example of how community engagement can foster meaningful change.
If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to download the full report & impact gallery to explore further how these councils are making a difference.
We applaud all 13 councils for their dedication to improving the lives of their residents and for the invaluable insights they’ve contributed to this project. Their work will serve as a blueprint for other councils looking to enhance community participation, address inequalities, and create lasting impact.
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