Wandsworth Council is celebrating a year of achievements in promoting equality and fostering a more inclusive community, according to a report presented at the Finance Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday, 3 July 2025.
The Annual Equalities Report highlighted the council's efforts to celebrate Wandsworth's diverse communities and create a fairer and more compassionate borough for all. The council has delivered a more systematic planned approach to celebrating Wandsworth's diverse communities than ever before by co-producing a year-long programme with services and local groups. The Council's Equality Events Planning Group has been central to the programme's delivery.
Key initiatives and events in 2024 included:
- Black History 365: The council delivered its most comprehensive Black History 365 programme to date.
- South Asian Heritage Month: Five new South Asian-led cultural projects were commissioned to encourage residents of South Asian heritage to engage with culture and allow the wider community to better understand their histories. One such project was the Evening Conversation with local writer and actor Sudha Bhuchar.
- Access for All Programme: The council continued to expand its ambitious Access for All programme, which seeks to break down barriers and make sure all residents have an equal chance to access local opportunities, including sports, leisure and other essential services. This included free sessions in council leisure and sports centres, Tooting Bec Lido, and padel courts, as well as free school uniforms and discounted tickets for events.
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy: Wandsworth Council launched its new VAWG strategy for 2024-2027, focusing on changing attitudes and behaviour, early identification and help, providing safety and support, and holding perpetrators to account.
For 2024/25 the council trialled a dedicated budget of £10,000 from within the Chief Executive's Group budget to provide seed-funding for equality-related events, providing greater certainty in advance and allowing for more effective planning. The Equality Events Planning Group was recognised in the Better Service Partnership Staff Awards for its work.
Looking ahead, the council intends to build on these positive actions and further promote equality, diversity and inclusion for all residents in 2025. Proposed equality objectives for 2025 to 2030 include tackling health inequalities, promoting well-being and reducing educational inequalities, ensuring support for women and girls, breaking down barriers to local opportunities, and being a leading organisation for EDI.
The Finance Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the updates provided on work undertaken to promote equalities and narrow inequalities in 2024.