On 21 October, more than a thousand community leaders from across South London gathered at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, for a powerful South London Citizens Assembly. The event was filled with stories, music, theatre and a shared determination to make positive change.
Community leaders representing South London Citizens alliances asked decision-makers from local authorities, government and the NHS to commit to action on key issues affecting local people, including health and wellbeing, inclusive services, fair work and wages, and housing. The energy in the Cathedral was a strong reminder of what can be achieved when faith groups, schools and community organisations come together in common purpose.
Connecting Faith and Wellbeing
Among those involved were two inspiring members of our Caritas network, Graham Kennedy, Be Well Hub Coordinator at Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon, and Janet Emmanuel, Be Well Hub Coordinator at St William of York, Lewisham. Both are part of the Be Well Hubs initiative — a project growing across South London that brings mental health and community support closer to where people live and worship.
Be Well Hubs, launched by South London Listens in partnership with Citizens UK, local authorities, and NHS trusts, are designed to make mental health support accessible, local, and stigma-free. They create welcoming spaces within community settings, like churches, schools, and halls, where people can talk openly about mental health, connect with others and find practical help.
Each Hub is supported by trained Be Well Champions, community members equipped to listen, offer empathy and guide people towards further help if needed. The model reflects a growing movement in South London to place mental wellbeing at the heart of community life, offering early support and strengthening social connection.
Partnership in Action
We were delighted to be contacted by Graham about the Be Well initiative, and to see how his and Janet’s leadership are helping to embed this approach within parish life. Their work demonstrates how our Catholic communities can play a vital role in promoting wellbeing, building relationships, and tackling isolation: values that lie at the heart of our mission here at Caritas Southwark.
We are now exploring ways to work with Graham and the Be Well team to extend this initiative across more parishes over the coming months. By sharing learning, resources and training opportunities, we hope to help other communities establish their own Be Well Hubs.
