Healthwatch Kingston celebrates independent voices at public meeting with local people
On Monday, 4th August, we were joined by people from across Kingston to reflect on our work and impact over the past year.
In telling their stories, members of the public have demonstrated the power they have to show how our health and social care system is and isn’t working. They have been pivotal not only in identifying the issues, but in highlighting how to make real and lasting change.
We shared our annual report for 2024/25, 'Unlocking the power of people-driven care', explored our key findings from the past year and looked ahead at our future priorities.
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Our year in numbers and making a difference.
Over the year we've been out and about in the community listening to your stories, engaging with partners and working to improve care in Kingston upon Thames.
We’ve engaged with more than 7,000 people to improve the quality of health and social care across Kingston. We currently employ 7 staff, and our work is supported by 66 volunteers who contributed 2,058 hours to our work in 2024-2025.
At our public meeting, we reflected on our reports and our efforts to expand and improve our digital information offer.
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Making a difference in the community
Reflecting on the key findings from our reports, we heard from local voices as we discussed:
- Equitable access to participation and our engagement with socially isolated, physically Disabled adults
- Understanding health and care needs and what we heard from families with children under 5
- Ensuring services acknowledge diverse experiences and understanding the accessibility of bereavement support across south west London
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Listening to your experiences
We heard how Kingston voices have transformed safeguarding, how we have championed the experiences of young people through Youth Out Loud!, and our work improving the quality of life in care homes through the Enter & View programme.
Showcasing volunteer impact
From finding out what residents think to helping raise awareness, our volunteers have championed community concerns to improve care. Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do; their insights and commitment help us to hear and understand the experiences of people across the borough.
Future priorities
Since April 2025, we have kept reaching out to every part of society, especially people in the most deprived areas, so that those in power hear their views and experiences.
We will continue to work together with partners and our local Integrated Care System to help develop an NHS culture where, at every level, staff strive to listen and learn from patients to make care better.
