From 1 September 2025, a new partnership is responsible for Healthwatch Hammersmith and Fulham This partnership brings together the deep local knowledge and community connections of Sobus, W12 Together and the Healthwatch delivery expertise of Local Voice. Sobus’s role in Healthwatch is to engage local VCSE organisations in Healthwatch opportunities, so we will regularly share surveys, ask for your feedback on any challenges your clients have faced in accessing local health and care services. We will also be directly engaging with residents through our Community Organising service, and with our Healthwatch partners, holding events to invite residents and the groups that support them to share their views.

We are particularly interested in hearing from VCSE organisations who are helping residents with health and social care needs to better understand any barriers they may face in accessing these services. This might include language, cultural or social barriers that prevent or discourage residents from accessing the support they need. We know that often, residents will approach local trusted organisations for help with a wide range of health and care issues, and those organisations are therefore well placed to understand the challenges and barriers their clients face.

For example: Women from some faiths and cultural backgrounds were anxious about attending breast screening appointments Some first time parents were reluctant to engage with the health visitors as they did not understand their role in monitoring their baby’s development Some men are reluctant to seek help for prostrate related concerns

By understanding and articulating these issues, we are better placed to work with health and care providers to ensure services are adapted and improved to improve their cultural sensitivity and understanding of patient needs.

If you have any feedback or issues regarding local health and care services, please complete the form (can you create a form that links here – see attached)

H&F Council and partners have established an Alliance of third sector organisations, local businesses and other local partners to help tackle the Cost-of-Living (COL) Crisis. There are a number of Task & Finish groups taking forward particular areas of work, including:

VCSE Training – looking at what training is needed by the VCSE. In response to this, Hammersmith & Fulham have offered a range of training courses for VCSE groups, including Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Damp, Mould Prevention and Indoor Air Quality Introduction to Housing Affordability and Homelessness Prevention Business Continuity Spacehive Introduction to Universal Credit and Welfare Benefits

Other training resources available:

Tackling Destitution Together: One-year pilot project with Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank and Citizen Advice Hammersmith and Fulham

Cost saving food skills course: For any organisation/industry, including local VCS /day centres, nurseries who provide/use food as part of their service offer.

To find out more, visit : Training sessions for voluntary and community professionals | H&F Community Compass (https://hfcompass.org/pages/training-sessions-for-voluntary-and-community-professionals)

3ST (Third Sector Together) is an alliance of the voluntary and community sector (VCSE) across North West London (NWL), supported by the NWL Integrated Care Board (ICB). Sobus represents Hammersmith & Fulham in 3ST.

Our vision is to support the diverse VCSE in engaging with the health system and delivering meaningful services. By celebrating the impact of local charities, community organisations, and volunteering schemes, 3ST aims to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across North West London.

Our strategy tackles key challenges and opportunities for the VCSE sector in the NWL ICB area. We ensure the sector’s voice is heard, facilitating access in shaping policies and decisions, and finally enhancing the delivery of services.