The London Healthy Places Network has a remit of place-based approaches to health relevant to London. The London Public Health and Housing Network is concerned with housing and health in London. The networks are co-chaired on a rotating basis by network members and organisers from Southwark Council, other London Councils and the GLA. They bring together local authority colleagues and other professionals in policy, practice and research.
On 9 October, they held a joint meeting themed ‘Community-led Housing & Place-Based Initiatives’.
Jennie Popay presented an evaluation of the health and social outcomes from ‘The Big Local,’ a UK wide initiative empowering residents to drive positive change in their communities. She found that highly educated residents and males were more likely to report significant improvements in mental well-being from their participation. However, some negative impacts from involvement were noted, emphasising the importance of balancing support and learning opportunities in volunteer-led projects.
Chloë Trew from Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) followed with a presentation on the ‘Mackies’ site in Belfast. Supported by TCPA, Oak Foundation, and Queen’s University Belfast, PPR are aiming to address the mental and physical health impacts of Belfast’s housing crisis through community-led housing. This project aims to transform 25-acres of publicly owned land into a sustainable, inclusive housing development based on principles set out by homeless families. London based architect Matthew Lloyd Architects won a competition last year to design the plans which have now been submitted to Belfast City Council. Chloe welcomes inquiries from those interested in the project (chloe@pprproject.org, marissa@pprproject.org).
The meeting concluded with a 15-minute discussion where attendees shared their experiences with community-led housing and place-based initiatives, exploring barriers and facilitators with a focus on power dynamics.
The next joint meeting of the two networks will be hybrid at Southwark Council offices in Tooley Street and online on 16 April 2025. The theme will be ‘Policy and advocacy for healthy housing’. For more information and/or meeting invites, please contact Ros McDermott (Ros.McDermott@southwark.gov.uk)
