Partnership case study - Increasing cervical screening uptake in South Asian communities
Partnership Case Study
Increasing Cervical Screening Uptake in South Asian Communities
Project Summary
This project aims to improve cervical screening uptake in Wandsworth, with a particular focus on South Asian women who experience lower participation rates. In early 2023, a successful multi‑agency partnership — involving NHS SWL ICB, RM Partners Cancer Alliance, the Local Authority and Wandsworth VCS — secured two years of facilitation support from the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) to strengthen cross‑sector collaboration on health inequalities.
Cervical screening was selected as the priority area, aligning with the Wandsworth Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024–29 and the Local Health and Care Plan 2025–27. The project set out to understand barriers, raise awareness, and co‑develop culturally informed tools that build trust and improve access to screening for South Asian communities.
Key Activities
Community‑led engagement sessions
Between September and November 2024, the Connecting Health Communities Wandsworth team facilitated three community conversations, reaching around 100 South Asian women with support from translators and community leaders.
Partnership working with voluntary and community organisations
Sessions were delivered in collaboration with Wandsworth Care Alliance and embedded within existing community events, including Happy Homes (Asian Women’s Centre), Roehampton Wellbeing for Women and Children, Mushkil Aasan and Women of Wandsworth.
Co‑design of culturally relevant resources
In response to insights gathered, the project is developing a video and an FAQ resource — in written and audio formats, in both Urdu and English — to address misconceptions, reduce fear and provide clear, accessible information about cervical screening.
Impact and Outcomes
Deeper understanding of barriers:
Engagement sessions highlighted key challenges including stigma, anxiety, confusion about eligibility, limited access, negative past experiences and insufficient outreach.
Evidence‑based, community‑informed resources:
The project is producing practical tools designed with and for the community to improve understanding, reduce fear and support informed decision‑making.
Strengthened trust and relationships:
Collaborative working across statutory partners, VCS organisations and community groups has built stronger relationships and created a foundation for ongoing engagement and improved screening uptake.
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