Healthwatch Redbridge

17/03/2026

📢 Health Awareness: Knowing the signs of Meningococcal Disease

Following news of a small number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, Healthwatch Redbridge is sharing official guidance to help our local community stay informed.

While there is no cause for alarm in Redbridge, meningitis and septicaemia move quickly, and knowing the symptoms can save lives.

🚩 Key symptoms to watch for:

High fever with cold hands and feet

Stiff neck and severe headache

Sensitivity to light

A rash that does not fade under a glass

💉 Prevention: Please ensure your family’s vaccinations are up to date. If you aren't sure, contact your GP surgery to check.

🚑 In an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Read more about the symptoms and how to protect yourself on the UKHSA blog:
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/31/what-is-meningitis-symptoms-risks-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria

11/03/2026

The DEEP (Dental Patient Encounters in General Medical Practice) research study team at Mary University of London are working with Social Action For Health to explore why people contact GPs for dental problems rather than dentists.

This is a paid opportunity to use your lived experiences to help design health services that make it easier for people to get the right treatment, at the right time and at the right place to improve their health and well-being.

They want to hear from you if:
- You are aged over 18 and live in North East London
- You or your child went to a GP in the past five years when you had a dental problem
(e.g., toothache, abscess, or a mouth or gum swelling)
- You are happy to talk about your experiences with other people

The team are particularly keen to hear from people who do not regularly use health
services.

What’s involved?
You will join a one-to 1½ hour focus group in Redbridge to talk about your feelings, experiences, and decision-making.

Get Involved?
Email: info@safh.org.uk or get in touch on 07944 966 141.

10/03/2026

🍳 Love cooking? Turn it into a career!

The Adanna Women’s Support Group is running a Cooking Job Club to help Redbridge residents enter the hospitality and catering sector.

Gain practical skills in food hygiene, nutrition, and ethnic dish preparation, while learning how to start your own business or find local job opportunities.

📍 Cranbrook Baptist Church, Ilford
⏰ 10 am – 12 pm | 3-week programme
🎟️ Free for Redbridge residents!

Register your interest here: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2026-03-13/turn-your-passion-food-career-cooking-job-club

About this event Are you interested in a career in hospitality or thinking about starting your own catering business? The Adanna Women’s Support Group is offering a practical Cooking Job Club for Redbridge residents. This 3-week programme provides hands-on insights into the hospitality sector, cov...

09/03/2026

💃 Dance your way to fitness!

Adanna Women’s Support Group is launching 10 weeks of women-only dance classes in Ilford. From Bollywood and Bhangra to Zumba, these sessions are designed to help you feel energised, confident, and connected.

✨ Improve your wellbeing
✨ Boost your energy
✨ Have fun in a supportive space

🗓️ Every Thursday | 9:45 am – 11:00 am
📍 Cranbrook Baptist Church, IG1 4JT

Places are limited, so register today: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2026-03-12/get-active-women-only-bollywood-bhangra-and-zumba-classes

07/03/2026

🗣️ Want to feel more confident speaking English?
We are sharing this brilliant initiative from our partners at Adanna Women's Support Group. Their English Conversation Club is a welcoming space to practise speaking for everyday situations, meet new friends, and improve your skills.

📍 Cranbrook Baptist Church, Ilford
🗓️ Ongoing sessions
🎟️ Open to residents across Redbridge and neighbouring boroughs.

Help us spread the word! Sign up here: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2026-03-05/build-confidence-adanna-womens-support-group-conversation-club

About this event Healthwatch Redbridge is pleased to highlight a fantastic opportunity for local residents to improve their English language skills in a friendly, supportive environment. In partnership with Maximus, the Adanna Women’s Support Group invites you to join their weekly Conversation Clu...

06/03/2026

💜 Celebrate International Women’s Day in Redbridge tomorrow!

We are delighted to support our partners at Power of Women Welfare Awareness and Independency (POWWAI) for a vital talk: "ADHD in Young Girls and Women."

Understanding how ADHD presents differently in females is crucial for ensuring everyone gets the right support at the right time. Whether you are looking for information for yourself, a family member, or a friend, this session is a fantastic opportunity to learn and connect.

🗓️ When: Saturday 7 March, 12:00 - 16:00
📍 Where: Redbridge Central Library
🎟️ Book your place here: https://visionrcl.org.uk/events/celebrating-international-womens-day/

We are proud to work alongside organisations like POWWAI to amplify the voices of women in our community.

Come along to chat to some of our local women's community groups and organisations, including Adanna Women's Group, Walk it Out, POWWAI, plus Redbridge

04/03/2026

📢 "Sobering but sadly unsurprising."

Last week, the Interim Report into maternity and neonatal services in England was published by Baroness Valerie Amos. The findings lay bare the systemic failings that too many women and families in our community continue to face - particularly Black and Asian women, and those from deprived backgrounds.

At Healthwatch Redbridge, we hear these stories of trauma and loss every day. As the only Healthwatch in the country to host the Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate (MNISA) role, we are standing with families to ensure their voices are the "golden thread" in making care safer for everyone.

"Change must come faster, and it must happen now." - Gita Malhotra, Chair of Healthwatch Redbridge.

Read our full response and learn more about our work supporting local families here:
🔗 https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2026-03-02/healthwatch-redbridge-responds-sobering-interim-report-maternity-and-neonatal

25/02/2026

📢 Supporting Redbridge parents and carers to get the help they deserve.

Navigating benefit applications or finding funds for essential items can be overwhelming. That is why our partners at Redbridge Forum are hosting a Family Fund drop-in session specifically for local parents and carers.

How can they help? They provide information on Family Fund grants which can help cover the costs of:

🧺 Household items & white goods

💻 Technology

👕 Clothing

Practical assistance with applications: If you need a hand with forms or advice regarding DLA, PIP, Universal Credit, Freedom Passes, or Blue Badges, the team will be on hand to support you.

🗓️ When: Monday 2 March, 10:30am – 12:00pm

📍 Where: The Trinity Centre, Baxter Road, Ilford, IG1 2HN

No appointment needed - just pop in for a friendly chat.

25/02/2026

📢 Join the first Parkinson’s Activities Day in Redbridge!

We are delighted to support our partners at Chardi Kalla and Community Action Redbridge for this fantastic inaugural event. It is a day dedicated to movement, support, and community for anyone living with Parkinson’s, as well as their carers, families, and supporters.

🥊 What’s on offer?
* Inclusive exercise and non-contact boxing.
* Walking football with West Ham United (plus a chance to win a signed shirt!).
* Voice therapy and creative activities.
* Information stalls and guest speakers.
* Complimentary lunch included!

🗓️ When: Wednesday 8 April 2026 (10am – 4pm)
📍Where: New City College – Redbridge, Chadwell Heath Lane, Romford, RM6 4XT
🎟️ Cost: Free, but registration is essential.

Register here: https://forms.gle/W6Vk88Cq4XxteZBi8

24/11/2025

Our Breast Screening report is driven by the voices of women in Redbridge who told us about the barriers they face. Putting their experiences at the heart of service change can help us to build a more compassionate, accessible and culturally competent health and care system.

https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/blog/2025-11-11/building-ambitious-approach-breast-screening-uptakev

The voices of women in Redbridge show that collaboration and partnership based on the needs of our local community can help drive breast screening uptake.

17/11/2025

Our latest report examines experiences of breast screening services in Redbridge.

Understanding where screening invitations, appointments and locations are failing to meet the needs of local women, we can build a collaborative system that supports women to make screenings a natural part of their busy lives.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with us and to our amazing volunteers who were instrumental at every stage of this project. 💟

Read the report: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2025-11-11/womens-health-breast-screening-report

11/11/2025

Does the NHS App help you to manage your health?

The NHS App is designed to give people a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on their smartphone or tablet or device. The same service is also available in a web browser on the NHS website.

We want to understand your views and experiences with the NHS App.

Take 10 minutes to complete our short survey and have your say: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NHSAPPSurvey/