This report is rooted in reality because it reflects the lived experiences of our residents.

Five years on from the pandemic, Wandsworth Public Health conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), to better understand and improve the health landscape of its underserved communities. This work was designed to capture how the borough’s most disadvantaged wards are experiencing health and wellbeing today, and to identify opportunities for more equitable, community‑driven solutions.

The assessment was co‑produced by the Wandsworth Community Health Action Group, bringing together voluntary and community sector partners with the London Borough of Wandsworth and NHS Southwest London ICB. Its scope aligned with the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on the Live Well and Age Well priorities.

The needs assessment recognised residents as experts by experience. By prioritising community voice and adopting qualitative methods, it captured lived realities and ensured findings reflected the priorities of those most affected. Insights from residents were layered with borough‑wide health data and professional expertise, creating a rich, dynamic perspective on the social determinants of health.

This collaborative and inclusive approach generated nuanced insights into the complex social, cultural, and environmental influences on health and wellbeing. It highlighted both the challenges facing diverse communities and the strengths that can be leveraged to co‑produce practical, locally resonant solutions.

Above all, the assessment amplified community voices, ensuring they inform future strategies, services, and interventions that better reflect the needs of Wandsworth residents.