Another year of championing public voice in Kingston

Speaking up for better care: Healthwatch Kingston annual report 2025-2026

In our 2025-2026 annual report, Speaking up for better care, we show that involving local people in decisions about health and social care is more important than ever. 

Kathryn Yates, Chair of New Dialogue, the home of Healthwatch Kingston said "At a time when the role of independent public voice is more important than ever, we remain committed to championing it. Our work continues to underline the importance of listening genuinely and consistently to the lived experiences of our communities.

Our regular Public Meetings have been a cornerstone of this approach, creating space for dialogue, challenge, and collaboration. Alongside this, our Enter and View programme continues to make a tangible difference, highlighting what good care looks like and where improvements are needed.

I would like to thank everyone: staff, volunteers, and our community for their passion and commitment. It is through your voices that our work has meaning."

Our 2025-2026 annual report is informed by 4,049 people (almost 3 times more than last year) and throughout the last year:

• We published 22 reports
• 10,625 people (up by 84% from 2024-2025) came to us for clear advice and information
• 8,985 different people viewed different pages on our website 28,833 times 

We've heard local people's fears and hesitations of the rush to rely on digital access, the health issues that matter to young people, the experiences of bereavement of adults with autism and ADHD, and much more.

We’ve continued to support resident’s participation in decision making through the All Age Learning Disability Partnership Board, Kingston Safeguarding Voices, the Kingston Mental Health and Wellbeing Group and our Public Meetings. Connecting services, frontline professionals and decision makers with local people, we have pushed for shared accountability across the system.

Our extended Enter and View programme has taken a dedicated look at the quality of life for social care residents across the borough, and training Authorised Representatives has given our volunteers opportunities for new skills, and a chance to shape the services that play huge roles in people's lives.

The NHS and social care services are under huge pressure. The Government's 10-year plan aims to transform the NHS, but it won't succeed without listening to the experiences of people whose lives are shaped by health and social care services.

The voices driving our work

Our work is shaped by the Kingston residents who sit alongside our dedicated team at key strategic meetings with decision makers and front-line professionals, offer up their time to support our projects, and whose voices shape our priorities. Thank you to everyone, this year and beyond, who volunteered, joined us at a Public Meeting, completed a survey, or simply took five minutes to have their say. 

This year we were supported by 57 fantastic volunteers who gave 1488 hours to support our mission to improve health and social care for local people. 

Karen Dempster, New Dialogue Board Lead for People with Physical Disabilities said “Meeting the Healthwatch Kingston team in 2025 at a workshop on Social Isolation of Physically Disabled Adults was a turning point in my life. Through their encouragement and support, I became a Board member and was introduced to the Kingston Disability Network.

I now contribute to publications and share my lived experience to help shape local services. Through the KDN, I have worked with other disabled residents to raise awareness of accessibility issues, including Lime bikes obstructing pavements.

Healthwatch Kingston has helped me overcome social isolation, build confidence, connect with my community and contribute to positive change across the borough

Eva, a Youth Out Loud! member said “Working with Youth Out Loud! at Healthwatch Kingston is something that has empowered me as a young adult. They encouraged a supportive environment that helped me feel heard and valued. 

Being a part of this group has allowed me to connect with others who share similar experiences to me. Which in turn has made speaking up about health and care less intimidating.
I think that it’s helped me with my own personal growth to feel more in control and in tune with my own wellbeing”