Evidence Islington is a partnership between the council, community groups (Healthwatch Islington, Diverse Communities Health Voice, Voluntary Action Islington), and two universities: the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College London.
The council’s ambition is to create a more equal future in Islington where everyone can thrive. To achieve this, we need to use evidence to better inform the decisions the council makes. By ‘evidence’ we mean listening to local people – individuals, groups, and communities - to share experiences, help identify problems, and test solutions in a structured way. And, we mean using the evidence the council and community organisations already have – including what you’ve told us in the past - to better respond to the issues that are most important to you.
This evidence will help us and our partners to improve the way we provide services. In particular, those that affect people’s health and wellbeing – such as housing, employment, and the environment.
Our work so far
Initially, we took part in a pilot to see whether Evidence Islington could work longer term. A group of residents formed the Evidence Islington co-design group. They met once a month to discuss how to make Evidence Islington work for residents. They championed the need to be transparent about what evidence is selected (and who’s selecting it), the need to use existing evidence that residents have already provided, and the need for residents to be more involved in holding decision-makers to account for using that evidence. They worked on a strategy for engaging more residents in these conversations.
Healthwatch Islington’s Diverse Communities Health Voice (DCHV) partners have also been involved in the conversation on behalf of the residents they work with, who might not otherwise get their voices heard. The partnership has held meetings with Evidence Islington staff based at the council to talk about the issues their residents face and the lack of awareness about how they can assert their rights. They have welcomed the opportunity to bring their knowledge of residents’ experiences into decision-making.
Following the pilot phase, Evidence Islington was successful in obtaining further funding. Find out more about the project on the Islington Council website.
How can I get involved?
If you are interested in learning more about Evidence Islington or have any questions and would like to get involved, please email EI@islington.gov.uk.
Islington Council was selected from over 40 councils across the UK that sought national funding to develop the foundation to gather and use evidence better in their organisation to reduce health inequalities.