During 2021 we launched a new initiative with the Sutton Housing Partnership to support vulnerable Sutton residents living in social housing.
We have held events, in local community-based facilities, offering health and wellbeing advice, with the Covid-19 vaccine also available if required.
The events have been well received by residents, particularly those who are used to accessing community-based support like the St Helier Community Food Shop at Hill House. This work will continue in 2022/23.
This collaboration has also helped us to develop new links with the Gypsy Roma Travelers’ community in Sutton. We joined forces with Sutton Housing Partnership, Cognus and Sutton Council to help increase vaccination uptake within the traveller community in the borough.
The joint team worked with the traveller community on the Pastures site in Banstead and arranged an on-site information session about the vaccine.
The vaccine was offered to anyone who was eligible on-site who wanted it and community members were able to ask the clinicians present questions about the vaccine.
We have offered Covid-19 vaccinations to over 90% of the residents at Sutton’s Travelers sites. We will continue to work with this community to help meet their health and wellbeing needs going forward.
This approach has increased trust within communities and shown that we are working to address wider healthcare concerns in Sutton. It is a great example of how we can work together with our borough partners to ensure the safety of everyone living in Sutton.