From healthy smiles to improved green spaces, Ealing Council’s 2025 Health of the Borough ‘report’ highlights some of the work underway to build a fairer, healthier borough for everyone. 

This year’s publication has been created as a new-look digital magazine, making it easier to read, navigate and explore the work happening across the borough to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequality. 

Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, said: “This year, we’ve opted for a more engaging format – not just another report, but a digital magazine that’s engaging to read and easier to explore. It brings the work happening across the borough to life and makes it simple to see the progress being made. I’d really encourage everyone to take a look – not just to see what’s being done, but to discover the many ways we’re involving our community in building a fairer, healthier borough.” 

Investing in what makes us healthy 

This year’s Health of the Borough explains how the council continues to invest in the building blocks of health – the things that help people live happy and healthy lives, like secure housing, good education, stable employment and strong community connections. For example, someone with a warm home, a steady job and access to green space is far more likely to enjoy good physical and mental health than someone without access to those things. 

A £100 million investment over 4 years (2022 to 2026) is being directed into these areas, with a call for partners across the NHS, voluntary and community sector and private sector to do the same. 

A new Health Inequalities Dashboard has also been giving residents access to local data on issues like diabetes and hospital admissions. It’s designed to help communities campaign for change and improve their health and wellbeing. 

Putting residents in the lead 

The council’s Your Voice, Your Town initiative received more than 1,600 votes from residents, helping shape priorities in each of the borough’s 7 towns. Meanwhile, 108 community champions are working across the borough to share health messages and support their neighbours.  

Community-led programmes like Let’s Go Southall continue to grow, offering free indoor and outdoor activities to help residents get moving. The Let’s Ride Southall initiative is helping change attitudes around cycling and active travel. 

Supporting people in need 

The publication also explains how the council is expanding support for people experiencing homelessness, including clinical services like dentistry and podiatry at weekly drop-ins. A dedicated legal worker has helped 90 people with immigration advice, including those who aren’t eligible for most benefits because of their immigration status. 

The borough is also home to London’s second-largest Ukrainian refugee community. Through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, more than 1,400 people have been supported with wellbeing sessions, coaching and cultural events. The council was awarded ‘Borough of Sanctuary’ status in the spring, in recognition for its work to help those fleeing war and persecution. 

To improve access to treatment, the council has a primary care assessment team, which offers drug and alcohol support directly through GP practices and local hubs. A dual diagnosis team is also in place to support residents who are facing both substance misuse and mental health challenges. 

Healthier futures for children and families 

Children and young people make up a quarter of the borough’s population. The council is working with schools to improve mental health through the Mentally Healthy Schools and Therapeutic Thinking programmes, which help reduce exclusions and support emotional wellbeing. 

In 2024, nearly 800 children received free dental checks through oral health outreach events. Schools are also being supported to make healthier food choices through the Healthy Zones programme, and to become more sustainable through the Big Green Ideas competition. The first winners, Featherstone High School, are building a carbon-capture pond. 

Read the full digital magazine and explore the data dashboard now.