Have your Say

In just three minutes, you can make a difference.

Share your views on health or social care services. Tell us what works and what needs improvement. It's confidential, quick and won't affect your care.

But your experience will help us tell NHS and social care services how to make your care better.

To participate in this survey - Click here

Patient experience library 

The Patient Experience Library is an online portal that has all the patient experience evidence, coming from national patient surveys, patient voice organisations, health charities, academic institutions, policy think tanks and more, in one place with free search and unlimited downloads.  

Customised versions enable you to create your own library for your own needs. 

Do you know of a report on patient experience that patients and professionals should be reading?

If you do, and you'd like it uploaded to the Patient Experience Library send an email to info@patientlibrary.net 

To access the Patient Experience Library - Click here

Looking After Yourselves - services, courses, things to do and more

Relaxation techniques wellbeing workshop at Colliers Wood Library

A wellbeing workshop exploring self-care and relaxation, delivered by the wellbeing team at NHS Merton Talking Therapies

Date: Monday, 14th April 2025

Time: 11:30 - 12:30 BST

Venue: Colliers Wood library 

To know more - Click here

Wellbeing Workshop - Mindbody Practises for Autism and other Neurotypes

This session is designed to explore how neurodiverse adults can support their emotional regulation and holistic wellbeing through simple mind body practises.

Date: Tuesday, 8th April 2025

Time: 11:30 - 13:00 BST

Venue: Wimbledon library 

To know more - Click here

Fitness for the over 60s

Join Lyn from GLL for a fun and gentle exercise class for the over 60's. This includes a mixture of different exercises including mobility, flexibility, and core strength exercises

Date: Friday, 11th April 2025

Time: 13:00 - 14:00 BST 

To know more - Click here

Please note:

This class is for adults only. - Participants will be required to attend and commit to the full course. - Please book a ticket for each session you want to attend. - Participants may also be expected to complete a short survey at the end.

Good news! Wimbledon Guild's Creative Wellbeing Workshops have been extended.
 
Looking to develop healthy habits that melt away stress and lift your mood?  

Wimbledon Guild's free guided workshops combine creative activities with self-care and relaxation. You’ll build a personal toolbox that helps you bring more of these feelings to your daily life.
 
These free workshops are open to people from Black and Asian ethnic groups, refugees and those seeking asylum. They are led by an experienced mindfulness teacher and counsellor.

Once you enrol, you can come to as many sessions as you like.
 
**Sessions take place every Thursday from 12.30pm** 

Who can attend these workshops?
Adults aged 18+ who live, work or study in Merton and meet the criteria in the description above.
 
Where do they take place?
WG Morden, 3-4 Crown Parade, Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5DA.
 
** Please note, these workshops are not drop-ins.
 
To know more click here or call 020 8296 0030 or send an email to counselling@wimbledonguild.co.uk

Royal British Legion - Coffee Hub

Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday

Time: 11: 30 am to 3:30 pm GMT 

Venue: 26 St. Marks Road, Mitcham, CR4 2LF

Military banter and bap 

An opportunity to meet others in the community and share stories while having a cuppa and the famous breakfast buttys 

Date: First Saturday of every month - 5th April 2025

Time: 11 am to 1 pm 

Venue: Morden Brook 

Veterans Breakfast 

Join in a relaxed and accessible environment for Veterans and serving armed forces members to enjoy breakfast and a chat. 
 

Date: First Monday of the month - 7th April 2025

Time: 10 am to 12 pm

Venue: Cherry Red records stadium 

Boxing for Female Veterans and women partners of Veterans 

Date: Every Thursday 

Time: 10:30 am to 11:15 am 

Venue: Morden Parish Church Hall
(next to Haig Housing Green Lane Morden)

For more details email Emma on e.fitzjohn@googlemail.com or just come along!!

Do you have a veteran specific event that you would like to have added to this newsletter? 

If so please email Pat at pat@healthwatchmerton.co.uk 

Can help to connect you to the support you need in your community.

If you, or someone you know, needs help please email help@mertoncommunityhub.org.uk or call 0208 066 4086, between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

For more info, Click Here

Help with the cost of living - The cost of living is an urgent problem for many Merton residents.

For guidance and support, please Click Here

Other News/Reports/Opportunities and Other Bulletins

Young responders programme 

Young Responders is a free programme organised by St. Johns Ambulance that teaches young people aged 11-25 ‘Street First Aid’.

The session covers topics and techniques such as:

1. How to notice the signs and symptoms of drug, alcohol and vape spiking and how to put someone in the recovery position and keep them safe until emergency services arrive.
2. How to deal with a stab wound and catastrophic bleed, using just what they have on them.
3. The importance of CPR and when / how to perform it.
4. Reflective conversation around mental health / emotions that come with traumatic events and where can young people find support.

They conduct 60, 90 and 120 minute sessions with an ideal class size of 8-30 participants. 

If you would like to organise such an event for a young peoples group that you are a part of please email info@healthwatchmerton.co.uk and we can assist you. 

Our response to the latest British Social Attitudes Survey results 

Satisfaction with health services at the lowest recorded levels 

To read more - Click here

The hidden demands of caring: urgent support needed

When social care works well it can be life changing. However, for Debbie, getting the help her and her husband need is an ongoing challenge.

To read more - Click here

A strain on sight: Waiting for NHS specialist eye care

Our new report warns long waits for eye care are having a huge impact on people's daily lives. 

To read more - Click here

How trauma cards could improve access to care

Millions of people in England have experienced trauma, now or in the past. Our latest findings show trauma can affect people’s ability to get care – and that a simple innovation could be part of the solution. 

To read more - Click here