Helping carers stay well in Southwark
National Carers Week is a time to recognise the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting families and strengthening communities across Southwark.
This year, Southwark Council is working with local partners, including the NHS to bring healthcare practitioners together through a week of dedicated events that celebrate connection, support, and wellbeing. These sessions are part of ongoing efforts to support carers to stay well while caring for others, promote the Vital 5 approach to improving physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy habits, social connection, and planning for the future in alignment with the prevention priority of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.
In Southwark and across South East London Integrated Care System, Vital 5 health checks focus on five key risk factors that have the greatest impact on people’s health and life expectancy. Targeting these areas can significantly reduce preventable illness and health inequalities by focusing efforts on the risk factors that most strongly drive poor health outcomes, particularly in communities that experience the greatest disadvantage.
These checks can help identify early signs of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, often before symptoms appear, making it easier to take action early and stay well. The Vital 5 focuses on:
- blood pressure – managing and maintaining healthy blood pressure to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease
- mental health – looking after your emotional wellbeing and addressing conditions like anxiety or depression
- healthy weight – maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) to prevent long-term illnesses
- stopping smoking – quitting tobacco to avoid its devastating impacts on lung and heart health
- safe alcohol consumption – drinking within recommended, safe limits to protect liver and overall health.
Southwark residents are invited to prioritise their wellbeing at a community health drop-in event.
Date
- Tuesday, 10 June 2026
Time
- 11am to 1.30pm
Venue
- Salvation Army Church, 217A Gordon Road SE15 3RT
Health practitioners will be there to do the checks, explain the results clearly, and give simple advice on small changes that can make a big difference. This could include help to stop smoking, eat better, be more active, or manage an existing health problem. The Vital 5 approach helps people understand their health and feel more confident about taking control of it.
As well as Vital 5 checks, social prescribers will be there to help people find local services that support both physical and mental health. They can offer advice on issues that affect health, such as loneliness, housing, and money worries, and help people connect with community activities and local support.
This drop-in event shows how physical and mental health are linked and makes it easier for people to get support in a relaxed and welcoming space. By bringing services into the community, Southwark residents can learn what help is available and take steps to improve their health and wellbeing.
These events offer practical advice, shared learning, brief respite, and the chance to connect with other carers in a welcoming, carer-friendly space. By taking part, you are not only supporting your own wellbeing, but helping to build a stronger, more connected, carer-friendly Southwark.
Read about National Carers Week events in Southwark . Everyone is welcome and you don’t need to book an appointment.