The Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board met on Tuesday 26 July 2022 to discuss the future of livable streets schemes and the council's mental health strategy. The board also received an update on the work of Healthwatch Tower Hamlets.

Livable Streets Schemes and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy

A resident, Ted Maxwell, a Bethnal Green resident and author of an open letter signed by over 850 people, raised concerns about the Mayor of Tower Hamlets' proposed removal of all livable streets schemes. He questioned how the Health and Wellbeing Strategy would support the maintenance of these schemes, which he argued contribute to the strategy's ambitions of providing safe social spaces, reducing traffic, and encouraging active lives. Maxwell highlighted the benefits of the scheme on Old Bethnal Green Road, including reduced traffic near schools and the creation of a pocket park.

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, responded by stating that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy sets the direction for the board and is developed with community input to address health inequalities. He acknowledged that while some support the livable streets schemes, others do not, and that the current consultation process aims to gather all opinions. Councillor Ahmed also mentioned concerns raised by the fire and ambulance services regarding response times potentially being affected by traffic calming measures.

Maxwell countered that he and others do not view livable streets as a silver bullet but believe they contribute to local health and well-being objectives. He argued that the council had not provided evidence that these schemes have failed to meet their local objectives. He also questioned the current consultation process, stating it lacked the detailed information and scenario planning provided during the initial implementation of the schemes, and that it did not offer alternative solutions to reopening roads.

Councillor Ahmed defended the current consultation, stating it is focused on specific schemes and aims to gather resident opinions. He highlighted perceived flaws in previous consultations, including a lack of an equalities assessment and feelings of exclusion among some residents. He also mentioned communications from emergency services about access issues and stated that while green spaces are valued, the current consultations are about specific road access. He added that the aim was to reduce traffic levels, not eliminate them entirely, and that the council's approach to health and well-being should not result in one road being clean while others are polluted.

Mental Health Strategy and Community Connectors

The board received an update on the Mental Health Strategy 2019-2024 and heard about the Community Connector program commissioned by the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) from the Women's Inclusive Team. Jami Stafford, Program Director for Community Mental Health Transformation across East London, outlined the vision for community mental health services, emphasizing integration between health, social care, and the voluntary sector, community connection, holistic needs assessment, addressing health inequalities, and localism. Key changes in Tower Hamlets include the formation of neighbourhood mental health teams, increased collaboration between professionals, the introduction of new roles like community connectors, and expanded services such as the recovery college and an adult eating disorder service.

Phil, a community organiser working with Citizens UK and We Think Mental Illness, highlighted the strengths of the voluntary community sector, including their strength-based approaches, diversity, local leadership, and trustworthiness. He stressed that mental health cannot be tackled in isolation and that local authorities, the NHS, education, and the voluntary sector must work together.

Shakila Ali, a Community Connector for the Mental Health Transformation Project, explained how community connectors bridge the gap between service providers and users, helping individuals access services and maintain independence. She described how they focus on holistic well-being, considering social factors like housing and employment, and connecting individuals with non-medical activities. Ali shared a case study of a Somali-speaking service user who had been disengaged for over 20 years, highlighting how understanding her identity and providing culturally appropriate support, such as a familiar meal, led to significant improvements in her engagement and well-being.

Councillor Christopher Cotton, who has a background in dual diagnosis work, praised the efforts and acknowledged the pressures on mental health workers, the under-resourcing of the sector, and the challenges of engaging with hard-to-reach individuals and communities. He advocated for increased investment in mental health services and greater mental health awareness. Councillor Amy Lee echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of rapport-building and questioning how the no wrong door approach can be effectively implemented within the current system, particularly for individuals with complex emotional needs. Jami Stafford responded that building connectedness and investing in relationships between teams is key to achieving a no wrong door culture, citing daily huddles and inter-team collaboration as examples.

The board also discussed the importance of World Mental Health Day on October 10th and the potential for expanding mental health awareness initiatives throughout the year. There was also a discussion on directing funds to the voluntary sector to support their vital work and ensure fair pay for staff.

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets Review

Matthew Adrien, Service Director for Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, provided an overview of the organization's work. Healthwatch collects and analyzes people's experiences of health and social care services to help shape improvements. He outlined the team's progress since April 1st, including securing office premises and recruiting staff. Adrien explained Healthwatch's service areas, which include patient experience programs, research studies, and enter and view observations in healthcare settings. They also provide information and signposting services, though they are not a casework function.

Priority areas for Healthwatch include aligning community needs with strategic plans, working with voluntary sector partners, and engaging with diverse communities, particularly the Somali and Bangladeshi communities. Current projects include a focus on maternity experiences for women with poor outcomes and research into 15-minute neighborhoods. Future priorities include GP access, mental health, and children and young people. Healthwatch is also collaborating with other North East London Healthwatches on joint projects.