Improving Prevention Services in Havering

Havering Council carried out a survey between 14 February and 14 March 2025 to seek views that will help guide and improve our future prevention services for the community. 

The Council commissions prevention services to support our residents in maintaining their independence and engage with activities and services that enhance their quality of life.  We are embarking on a new approach to commissioning prevention services which builds upon this work by reducing the need for more intensive support, such as hospital visits or formal social care, and promotes stronger personal resilience among the people of Havering.

261 responses were received to the consultation.

237 people told us the types of support they received that helped them avoid the need for more intensive services such a GP, Hospital, Social Care and Police.  They could choose as many options as they wished, the top three were: 

• Information and advice (169)
• Peer Support/Activity Groups/Respite (148)
• Emotional support (93).

190 people said that when they used more than one service at a time, they: 

• Received all the support they required in a timely manner (182)
• Found it difficult to navigate multiple services (7)
• Experienced lengthy waiting times due to being signposted to another organisation (5)
• Received conflicting advice (1)
• Other (4)

249 people told us whether they felt prevention services have helped them maintain their independence:

• 231 people said it had helped them
• 15 people were not sure
• 3 people said that it hadn’t helped them

Respondents told us the type of prevention services they would like to see in Havering:

• Autism Support:  Services for adults with autism, centrally located, with trained staff.
• Housing and Accommodation:  Assistance in accessing appropriate housing or sheltered accommodation.
• Shopping Assistance:  Help with shopping needs.
• Local Drop-In Centres:  More local drop-in centres for easy access to services.
• Mental Health Support:  At-home or chosen location mental health support. Bereavement groups, trauma therapy, and buddy schemes for anxious individuals.
• Information Accessibility:  Easier access to information, less confusing online resources. More one-to-one services and better advertisement across the borough.
• Exercise Classes:  More exercise classes, including chair yoga, seated yoga, tai chi, boccia, and dancing. Classes for balance, coordination, and general well-being.
• Counselling and Social Groups:  Counselling support and social groups.  More social activities, especially at weekends.
• Pavement and Walkway Improvements:  Better condition of pavements and walkways for mobility issues.
• Clinical Pharmacist:  Availability of a clinical pharmacist in medical centres for medication reviews.
• Complementary Therapies:  Reflexology and massage embraced in the NHS.
• Healthy Eating:  Activities to promote healthy eating and combat loneliness.
• Service Awareness:  Better advertisement of services in libraries, supermarkets, and various media.
• Medical Hubs:  Offering face-to-face contact in medical hubs.
• Independence Support:  Services to help older people remain independent and out of hospitals.
• Falls Prevention:  More falls prevention services and classes.
• Fraud Prevention:  Scam advice lines and courses on computer and phone scams.
• Gardening and Housework Support:  Practical support for gardening, housework, and shopping.
• Men's Groups:  Support groups for men.
• IT Support:  More accessible IT support and basic tuition in IT skills.
• Bereavement Support:  Easier access to bereavement support and counselling.
• Social and Craft Groups:  More social and craft groups, especially at weekends.
• Social Isolation:  Services to prevent isolation and loneliness, more social gatherings.
• Physical Wellbeing:  Classes for breathing, balance, pain management, and general well-being.
• Community Wellbeing:  Holistic collaborative support to enhance community wellbeing.
• Continuation of Existing Services:  Continuation and better advertisement of existing services.

212 people told us that they would like services local to where they live, with 43 people saying they would like services in Central Romford.

Respondents also told us what type of activities they would like to see become part of prevention services:

• Exercise Classes: Including chair-based exercises, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, dance, walking groups, and seated exercise talks.
• Social Activities: Coffee mornings, social clubs, peer support groups, organised trips, and community meeting places.
• Health and Wellbeing: Relaxation classes, self-help massage, knowledge sharing on health issues, and preventative help on common complaints.
• Creative Activities: Craft activities, painting, sketching, and singing for fun groups.
• Educational Support: IT advice, fraud prevention, and educational courses for the 50 plus age group.
• Counselling and Support: Counselling for anxiety and depression, social groups, and alternatives to A&E.
• Specialised Programs: Di's Diamonds, Everyone Active, Age UK, and dementia carer support.

Your feedback has provided valuable insights into the current state of prevention services and the needs of the community. The results highlight the importance of exercise classes, social interaction, mental health support, and practical assistance in helping individuals maintain their independence and avoid more intensive services. Additionally, your feedback emphasises the need for better accessibility, awareness, and continuity of services.

This survey feedback has formed part of a wider engagement piece that was undertaken with service users and commissioned providers and has identified key areas for improvement, such as increasing the availability of exercise classes, enhancing social interaction and mental health support, and improving communication about available services.

The overall feedback will be used to inform the development of Havering’s new prevention services which aim to address these needs, and better support the community in maintaining their independence and overall well-being.