Black History Month Spotlight: Empowering Communities with the AT Beacon Project
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honour not only the contributions of Black healthcare professionals but also the work being done to support and uplift Black communities on the ground throughout south east London. One such initiative making a difference is the AT Beacon Project in Lambeth, a Black led organisation which is helping to build healthier, more resilient communities by engaging people where they live, work, and worship.
The AT Beacon Project is commissioned by Lambeth Council’s Public Health team as part of Lambeth Together’s work to address inequalities in health, Impact on urban Health and as a long term approach within the work of South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS).
The project empowers vulnerable and marginalised groups, particularly Black communities, to lead healthier lives through trusted local partnerships. Led by Dr Chichi Ekhator, GP lead for the project, this initiative works alongside community organisations, faith leaders, and residents to establishes Beacon Hubs—safe spaces embedded within neighbourhoods where people can easily access health and wellbeing support.
Each Beacon Hub offers drop-in health and wellbeing sessions, led by a clinician and supported by trained Beacon Ambassadors, who act as peer educators. These hubs serve as a local resource, offering everything from blood pressure checks and vaccine confidence talks to mental health support and advice on building resilience. By bringing healthcare services directly into the community, they aim to reach people who might otherwise face barriers to accessing health information or support.
Existing Beacon Hubs are:
• The Streatham Barber Shop Hub: providing weekly sessions at Levels Hair & Beauty
Barber Shop, 11 DeMontfort Parade, Streatham, London, SW16 1BU on Fridays
• West Norwood Community Shop Hub: providing weekly sessions at The Community Shop Lambeth, West Norwood, London, SE27 9PA on Thursdays
• SW9 Learning Centre Community Wellbeing Sessions: a base for weekly community outreach sessions on Thursdays and Fridays where the team reach out to the housing estates in surrounding areas.
Key to the project’s success is the involvement of Beacon Ambassadors, trusted community members who receive training as peer educators. These ambassadors help build trust between healthcare services and the local population, especially within communities that may have felt overlooked or marginalised in the past. They play an essential role in promoting vaccine confidence, addressing mental health concerns, and encouraging healthier lifestyles.
One of the projects run by AT Beacon is the Lambeth fruit and vegetables on prescription project, which aims to improve health outcomes for people suffering from health conditions that could be supported via improved diet. The Lambeth Council-owned project delivered in partnership with AT Beacon Project and Alexandra Rose Charity, involves the provision of fruit and vegetable vouchers. The vouchers will be distributed by to vulnerable Lambeth residents to enable them to buy fruit and vegetables from local market traders with the objective of improving their health.
Rose Vouchers can be spent on fresh fruit and veg at local markets and independent stall holders in Lambeth (Brixton, Streatham, West Norwood).
Find out more about AT Beacon’s work here: Health & Wellbeing Hubs | A.T Beacon Project (atbeaconproject.org)