Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you're 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.
31 Dec 2025
In order to improve health we need the support of our population to understand the issues which they are facing.
Our Coalition – including our Anchor System Programme – will therefore aim to bring together local people and communities with the health and care system to understand and address the wider determinants of health. This is about making the most of the local assets that we have in our communities.
By galvanising a wide variety of organisations and groups in south east London around a shared purpose we can improve health and reduce health inequalities. The metaphor for this process is a ‘social contract’: this recognises that the system and the population need better ways of collaborating and that we can only achieve this purpose if the intelligence of the population is embedded alongside clinical and public health expertise.
We also see anchor institutes – large employers with strong local roots – as a way in which to deliver change and lasting impact across communities. These have great potential for bolstering local economies, addressing issues of health inequality and embedding practices within the local area. We will seek to establish a South East London Anchors Network that can provide mutual support and leadership where helpful.
Recent achievements
At our recent Population Health Conference we showcased:
- South London Listens, which carried out many impactful listening exercises across communities in south London.
- Community work happening across the system through Impact on Urban Health.
- Community work happening in pharmacies in Lambeth.
Further information
You can find out more about our Anchor System Programme, or how large institutions can become ‘anchors’ for their local community in this video, or in our conference video here.
News, stories and events
“I didn’t know NHS 111 has this really holistic service online.”
With colder temperatures and seasonal illnesses, winter signals a surge in demand for NHS services. To ensure people get the right help quickly, local care partnerships across south east London are working to raise awareness of NHS 111 online. NHS 111 online, available at www.111.nhs.uk and on the NHS App, is a convenient, 24/7 […]
31 Dec 2025
This Jan you can: stop smoking with free support
As the new year approaches, we are encouraging smokers across South East London to make January the month they quit for good, and to do it with support. Evidence shows that people are three times more likely to stop smoking successfully when they receive help from a trained professional or a dedicated stop‑smoking programme, compared with […]
29 Dec 2025