Healthwatch Greenwich at Eltham Library: Listening to Local Voices

Healthwatch Greenwich Volunteer Team visits Eltham Library

Recently, our Healthwatch Greenwich volunteer team spent the morning at Eltham Library, engaging with residents to better understand their experiences of health and social care services across the borough. As part of our ongoing commitment to listening to the community, we attended the library’s popular ‘Duplo and Mega Blocks’ session, held from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

This weekly session provides a relaxed and friendly environment for parents, carers, and young children, making it an ideal setting for open conversations. Our volunteers were able to speak with families about a range of topics, including access to GP appointments, maternity and early years services, community health provision, and experiences with social care support. Parents shared what has been working well for them, as well as the challenges they continue to face when navigating local services.

Engaging with families in informal community spaces like Eltham Library is a vital part of our work. These conversations provide us with real-time insights into what matters most to residents and where improvements are needed. Every piece of feedback helps shape our understanding of the local landscape and ensures the voices of Greenwich residents—especially those who may not always be heard—are represented at the decision‑making table.

We want to extend a warm thank you to everyone who took a moment to share their thoughts with us. Your input directly informs our reports, recommendations, and the ways we advocate for better, more accessible care across the borough.

We will continue visiting community venues and events throughout Greenwich in the coming months. If you see us out and about, please do stop for a chat—we’re here to listen, and your experience matters...and if you like us to visit any location, we are open to your recommendations 😊 .