A new community survey has just been launched as part of South London Listens to help find the solutions to the impact Covid-19 has had on the mental health of our communities.

During the lockdown it has been important that we find ways to look after our physical and mental health. With gyms shut and limited ways in which we can exercise more and more people have turned to walking, jogging and running, to maintain a good physical and mental health.

LGBT History Month has been recognised for many years with a month-long programme of inspirational events, honoring the achievements and raising awareness of challenges raising the community. This year, the restrictions placed by the impact of the pandemic, has meant organisations will not be holding face-to-face events, but instead will be finding more innovative ways to mark the occasion.

Whilst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues it is understandable that people might feel anxious, stressed or low in mood. These feelings are an understandable reaction to very difficult circumstances. For many people this will be a reaction that resolves itself. For some these feelings may persist.

In partnership with Citizens UK, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is inviting individuals and communities across South West London to join an online listening summit on Monday 1 March to share their stories of the pressure COVID-19 has placed on their mental health and wellbeing.

Please register for the online event here: South West London Listens Summit  

Following on from episode 1, Tasnim Munaim and Esther Cameron have released episode 2 of their podcast Lockdown Lessons.

January's edition of the Trust's quarterly Stakeholder Bulletin is now available.

We understand that there is a lot of anxiety around the safety of the vaccines. The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They will give you the best protection against coronavirus. The NHS will not offer any Covid-19 vaccinations to the public until independent experts have signed off that it is safe to do so. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the official UK regulator, have said these vaccines are safe and highly effective, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes. As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.

If you need support mental health over the festive period but do not require an ambulance then please call our Mental Health Support Line on 0800 028 8000. 

As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind. These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help. Your COVID Recovery helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

Our construction partners at Springfield will be closing the building site for the festive break. Works will stop between 23 Dec and 4 January and measures will be put in place to support safety and security.

With rates of coronavirus infection increasing, London and much of the south east and east of England has now moved into Tier 4. We are continuing to review the measures we are taking to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe and reduce transmission of the virus.

Involvement members newsletter December 2020 is now available to download.

The Involvement Team are available as usual during the holiday period, except for bank holidays. Please email involvement@swlstg.nhs.uk with any enquiries.

Tasnim Munaim and Esther Cameron have recorded a new Talk Wandsworth podcast.

Lockdown Lesson 1: “Our wellbeing needs to be flexible…so we bend rather than topple over.”

Following the government announcement on 19/12/20, London has escalated to Tier 4.