South East London People's Panel - survey 1 report

Between January and March 2023 we carried out the first survey with panel members to find out their views on their health and what is important to them. The survey was carried out as part of the recruitment process and 590 panel members gave their views.

Key findings

Keeping well and top of mind important issues

Whilst the majority of respondents report that they feel healthy, happy and in control of their lives there is around one sixth to one quarter of respondents giving poor scores in these areas.

Just over a quarter of respondents report that they currently feel lonely with this being higher amongst young adults compared to those over 65 years old.

Nearly a quarter of respondents stated that the costs of living crisis was at the forefront of their mind.

Measures to improve health & wellbeing

Improved personal finances was the top of the list of changes that respondents feel would be most effective in keeping themselves healthy and well closely followed by eating more healthily and improved living conditions along with increased activity, more holidays and reduced stress.

However, over half of respondents reported that they would find it difficult to make the changes that they feel is necessary to keep themselves healthy and well.

You can read the full report here.

Next steps

Over the summer of 2023 we will be building on the insights from this survey, working with organisations across south east London, including NHS hospitals universities, local councils and voluntary and community sector organisations, to co-design solutions to the issues communities are facing that affect their wellbeing.

In partnership with the charity CitizensUK, we will be hosting listening workshops with many communities across south east London to better understand what action institutions can take to support people with challenges such as the cost of living, social isolation, and access to secure and healthy work.