From a carer and toddler dance course in Croydon to storytelling sessions in Merton and karate classes in Wandsworth, community groups in south west London are running summer events aimed at spreading vital childhood immunisation information and boosting wellbeing thanks to a new small grants fund.
The local NHS has awarded more than 30 grants of up to £500 each through the fund to make information on MMR vaccinations as accessible as possible.
Many grassroots organisations reach out to their members to share it in settings they are comfortable in. Grants were set up to respond to rising measles rates in London, and are aimed at areas where childhood vaccination uptake is low.
The local NHS has also done extensive community outreach work, with community champions and street ambassadors going out and about in areas of low uptake to listen to concerns and explain the benefits of the MMR jab and other childhood immunisations.
Aim High Dance Academy was awarded funding for a four-week carer and toddler dance course in Croydon. Sessions are being held at Dunley Drive in New Addington and Tenterden Road in Addiscombe and each one ends with informal discussions on childhood immunisations and other health topics. Conducted in English, Polish, and Portuguese, the sessions aim to create an environment where carers and toddlers can bond while learning about health issues.
In Merton, Jigsaw4u is running a summer programme for under-fives and parents, including classes that introduce babies and toddlers to music through reggae and ska music, and interactive story time with actors.
Before and after each session at the Wilson Wellbeing centre in Mitcham, childhood immunisations are discussed, information provided and concerns addressed with support from a nearby vaccine clinic.
Women of Wandsworth (WoW) received funding so childhood immunisations can be discussed with parents while they wait for their children at their weekly karate class. They will also discuss immunisation at their monthly WoW Parent Forum at True Brew cafe on East Hill, with sessions being conducted in English, Polish, Somali, Arabic, and Filipino.
The programme to promote conversations about childhood vaccinations also features a parent and carer toddler ‘stay and play’ group in Kingston, English classes in Richmond and a BBQ and picnic in the park in Sutton, while Community Action Sutton was given funding to help organise the 2024 Benhill Community Fun Day.
Razia Sattar, Community Action Sutton’s Head of Partnerships, Impact and Equality said: “Our first Benhill Community Fun Day in 2023 brought people together and gave residents a great day of fun, food and information. We’re delighted to have this small grant towards this year’s event, which will have a greater health focus.
“As well as bouncy castles and other fun for young children, we would like to engage with local families on childhood immunisations especially among groups where uptake may be lower.”
Babyzone Croydon facilitates weekly ‘stay and play’ sessions for families with children aged 0-5.
Jessica Barnaschone, Head of Babyzone Croydon, said: “Our recent summer wellbeing event in Babyzone went really well and provided families with advice and guidance on staying healthy and safe over the warmer summer months, with the south west London roving vaccination team on hand, along with other local support groups.”
Events taking place this summer as a result of the funding from the NHS in south west London:
Croydon
- Inspire New Creative Performing Arts: Hosting a community conversation workshop for parents with young children, combining games and discussions about immunisations.
- Empowering Tamil Families: Talks about childhood immunisations in Tamil, providing leaflets (English and Tamil) and contact numbers for GPs.
- Addiscombe Boys and Girls Club: Organising peer-to-peer talk groups to discuss child immunisations and provide factual information.
- Aim High Dance Academy: Running a 4-week carer and toddler dance course with discussions on childhood immunisations and other health topics.
- Knowledge and Practice: Hosting a parent/children play day focused on cooking healthy meals and discussing vaccinations.
- The Family Centre Fieldway: Organising a Family Fun Day with activities and information stalls about the childhood immunisation campaign.
- Babyzone Croydon: Offering a Summer Wellbeing Event with vaccination advice and support from local healthcare professionals.
- Ukrainian Community Centre: Hosting events for Ukrainian refugee families to provide information about NHS services and immunisations.
- Floating Counselling Community: Using their Summer Holiday Club to educate parents about immunisations through flyers and sessions with NHS professionals.
- Creative Croydon CIC: Holding a late summer nature event with opportunities to discuss vaccinations and guide parents on booking them.
- Mother of Nations: Incorporate vaccination information into weekly online parenting training and coaching run with Floating Counselling Community in Croydon.
Kingston
- Korean Culture and Arts UK CIC: Running a summer nursery group play session for mothers to discuss vaccinations.
- RBKares: Hosting a children-focused wellbeing event featuring activities and support from the SWL Roving Immunisation Team.
- KingsGate Church/Kingston Women’s Hub: Integrating a vaccination campaign into their weekly parent/carer toddler stay-and-play group.
Merton
- Jigsaw4u (Wilson Wellbeing Centre): Running a summer programme with classes and discussions on childhood immunisations.
- South Mitcham Community Association: Hosting summer events for parents featuring play-based activities and discussions on immunisations.
- Five ASide Theatre: Dedicating a storytelling session to health, fitness, and vaccinations for families.
- NEMCA: Replacing a parent and toddler group session with an information session on health and immunisations.
- Togetherness Community Centre: Hosting a day of activities including presentations and Q&A sessions on childhood immunisations.
- Inner Strength Network: Holding an afternoon tea at a local refuge to discuss immunisations in a supportive environment. – this is confirmed.
Richmond
- Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow: Dedicating Family Group sessions to the childhood immunisations campaign and promoting it through newsletters and social media.
- Richmond EAL Friendship Group: Hosting a special class on vaccinations for attendees of their weekly English classes.
- Visiting Angels South Middlesex: Organising a ‘Family Fun’ community health and wellbeing event with information on childhood immunisations.
Sutton
- Home-Start Sutton: Including talks and Q&A sessions about childhood immunisations in their weekly groups and organising a Zoom meeting for volunteer training.
- St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church: Organising an awareness session about childhood vaccinations after church services.
- Community Action Sutton: Organising the 2024 Benhill Community Fun Day with a focus on health and vaccinations.
- Riverside Community Association Limited: Offering information on childhood immunisations during their weekly Stay and Play and Wellbeing sessions.
- St Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church: Hosting two events to promote childhood immunisations, including a BBQ and a Picnic in the Park.
Wandsworth
- Women of Wandsworth: Discussing childhood immunisations during weekly karate classes and at their monthly Parent Forum.
- Falcon Estate Residents Association: Hosting a community event on the Falcon Estate to discuss childhood immunisations.
- Community Mobile Spa: Holding a coffee morning to discuss immunisations with local families.
- Send In Mind: Including a session on childhood immunisations at their summer workshops for families with neurodivergent children.
- Mother and Child Welfare Organisation: Hosting a coffee morning with discussions on childhood immunisations and supportive activities.
- SEN Unity CIC: Engaging the community through interactive activities at school fairs and sports sessions, with a focus on immunisation education.