Merstham Health and Wellbeing Network
Our network
Over the past year, our network has worked to identify and collectively action many areas to improve health and wellbeing in the local area.
Bringing together local residents and community partners who collectively wish to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, and the delivery of local NHS services. Our aim is to:
- Meet with other local people and organisations who are creating health in their area
- Celebrate all that is going on within the local community
- Take stock of how relationships between local people, local organisations and the NHS are changing and developing
- Reflect on local experience of NHS services
- Shape a collective vision to build upon
Neighbourhood development 2025
Neighbourhood development in the Merstham Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Network.
Over the past year, our network has worked to identify and collectively action many areas to improve health and wellbeing in the local area.
Below is a selection of the Merstham Neighbourhood highlights.
Communication on available services and support groups for residents.
Latest update: Introduction of a Miro Board to provide an opportunity to local partners to better understand the local offer of services and support for Merstham residents. Health and Wellbeing event (10 October 2024) organised and run by Wellbeing Champions in Merstham. Over 30 partners attended and 100% of services said it was a good opportunity to network. Continue with providing communication on available services and support groups for local residents. New live scribe illustrated notes from the Merstham Partnership meeting.
Promote new funding opportunities for the area and residents of Merstham
Latest update: Two funding opportunities to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people in East Surrey. East Surrey peer support group and East Surrey Children's Young People mental wellbeing grant programme.
Mental Health and what’s on offer in Merstham via the Merstham Partnership meeting
Latest update: Connecting services/programmes with the local need i.e. Wellbeing Matters via Waythrough aiming to reduce social isolation, build resilience and help connect with others. Early onset dementia training for staff across East Surrey Place. Health and Wellbeing Champions Project: continue to explore future funding opportunities to support the continuation of this project.
Neighbourhood development 2024
Neighbourhood development in the Merstham Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Network.
Over the past year, our network has worked to identify and collectively action many areas to improve health and wellbeing in the local area.
Below is a selection of the Merstham Neighbourhood highlights.
Communication on available services and support groups for residents
Latest update: Introduction of a Miro Board to provide an opportunity to local partners to better understand the local offer of services and support for Merstham residents.
Health and Wellbeing event (10 Oct 2024) organised and run by Wellbeing Champions in Merstham. Over 30 partners attended and 100% of services said it was a good opportunity to network.
Support for rough sleepers in Reigate and Banstead4
Latest update: The Surrey Changing Futures team is scoping an upcoming programme focused on addressing rough sleeping in East Surrey with a workshop taking place in Merstham 31 October 2024.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) needs a solution in Merstham
Latest update: Funding sought for summer holiday activities for young people. Playplace provided outreach sessions weekly in Merstham during the holiday and beyond. It was well attended throughout.
ASB working group set up between shops, school, Merstham Hub and YMCA and Surrey County Council and local councillors – actions set as a group including joint working, sharing information.
Early onset dementia and available support4
Latest update: All Saints Church and Care Collaborative Anticipatory Care Hub staff have started a monthly Engaging Voices Choir for those with an early diagnosis of dementia.
Neighbourhood development 2023
Over the past year, our network has worked to identify and collectively action many areas to improve health and wellbeing in the local area.
Below is a selection of our neighbourhood highlights in 2023.
Practice feedback
GP practice data showed a low uptake of the NHS App.
Latest update: Care Collaborative Primary Care Network practices held an NHS App community support event in September 2023 September and had over 50 residents attended and provide positive feedback.
Antenatal and Postnatal care
There is a desire for free (or very low cost) antenatal courses and postnatal support for young families, particularly those from minoritised ethnic groups.
Latest update: The PCN Children's and Young Person's Wellbeing Team have mapped out what provisions are available across both our neighbourhoods and are beginning to establish good relationships. A breastfeeding initiative in Merstham, with a focus on patients with South Asian ethnicity has been started.
Smoking
Data showed there was a high occurrence of smoking compared to other local areas which could lead to increased health risks.
Latest update: Moat House Surgery, One You Surrey, Surrey County Council and Merstham Community Facility Trust worked together to hold a smoking cessation pop up for Stoptober. Patients were referred to the GP practice. Since September 2022 smoking prevalence in the Nailsworth Crescent LSOA has dropped from 18% to 15%. Moat House Surgery are planning to use mobile van scanning unit to diagnose early lung cancer for patients aged 55 to 74 who have smoked / currently smoke.
Antisocial behaviour
The October Merstham Community Action Group meeting discussed the high prevalence of antisocial behaviour affecting the local businesses, residents, and the GP practice.
Latest update: Residents are encouraged to report all incidents using the form on the Reigate and Banstead website.
Workshops
We worked with partners to host community-facing workshops during the first quarter of 2023.
The feedback received was of critical importance in informing the development of the neighbourhood model in East Surrey.
About us
Dr Ivan Anderson, Clinical Neighbourhood Lead
Dr Ivan Anderson (pictured) is a GP at Greystone House in Redhill and our GP Lead for Growing Health Together in Merstham.
He co-chairs the meeting alongside Community Development Worker Alice Oswell.