Community-led programme to promote uptake of life saving vaccines reaches hundreds of Wandsworth residents

Wandsworth Council’s Public Health team worked with Wandsworth Care Alliance to fund local voluntary and community organisations to deliver activities focused on the Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

Through the programme, 22 community engagement events were held across the borough, reaching 401 residents from a wide range of communities and involving people speaking 18 different languages.

The initiative was designed to take conversations about vaccination into trusted community settings, giving residents opportunities to ask questions, discuss concerns and make informed decisions about their family’s health.

Small grants, funded by the Public Health Grant given to the council by the Government, were awarded to Sanctuary for Sisterhood, Rainbow Family Group, Children Hope Forever, Other Ways to Care, Roehampton Wellbeing for Women and Children, Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, Katherine Low Settlement and Estate Art. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, each organisation developed activities around the communities it works with.

Rainbow Family Group held a family session combining storytelling and educational activities for children with vaccination information and one-to-one conversations for adults. Estate Art hosted clinician-led talks and question-and-answer sessions for parents, including sessions alongside its “My Baby and Me” infant first aid programme and at Alton Community Playschool.

Sanctuary for Sisterhood used creativity to encourage conversation through its “Threads of Me” workshop, where participants created 3D self-portraits using embroidery techniques while taking part in facilitated discussions about vaccination.
The programme forms part of Wandsworth Council’s wider preventative public health work, supporting residents with accessible information and helping communities protect themselves against preventable illness.

MMRV vaccination remains an important area of focus locally. In 2023/24, 86 per cent of Wandsworth children aged five had received one dose of the MMR vaccine and 75 per cent had received two doses.

Councillor Daniel Ghossain, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said:

“Making sure residents have access to clear, trusted health information is an important part of helping people make the right decisions for themselves and their families.

“What I particularly value about this programme is that we have worked with organisations that already know their communities and understand how best to reach them. These conversations have taken place in familiar, welcoming settings where people have felt comfortable asking questions and talking openly about their concerns.

“Reaching so many different communities is something we should be really pleased about. By listening to residents and working alongside our fantastic community partners, we can help more people feel informed, confident and supported when it comes to protecting their health and the health of their families.”

Feedback from residents showed that many valued having a trusted space in which to learn more and ask questions.

One attendee at a Children Hope Forever event said:

‘The event helped me better understand the MMR/MMRV Vaccine and gave me confidence to make informed decisions for my family in a safe and supportive environment.’

A participant in Sanctuary for Sisterhood’s programme said:

‘It was important to be able to openly discuss our fears regarding the MMRV, in an environment where I was also able to ask questions without stigma or pressure. Having art with this made me more willing to have a conversation about a topic I don’t usually like to talk about, especially as someone who doesn’t tend to vaccinate my children.’

An attendee supported by the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association said:

'I feel like I have a lot more knowledge now on how to protect my family. Before this, I did not realise how important the MMR vaccine is. Now I am going to sign my children up for it as soon as possible. I am grateful for the information I received'.

And a Katherine Low Settlement participant said:

‘I was very worried because I didn't know why I had to give this vaccine to my son, but now I feel more comfortable and I think it is important for my son to have it to protect him.’

For more information about MMRV visit: Measles, MMR and MMRV vaccine - Wandsworth Borough Council