In February 2026, organisations from across North Central London attended the ‘Closing the Gap’ event at Islington Town Hall, where the health and voluntary sectors shared learning, showcased impact, and explored next steps in tackling health inequality.
Three services managed by Public Voice – Healthwatch Haringey, Haringey Community Collaborative and members of Haringey Reach and Connect – attended the event and hosted stalls to pass on information to attendees.
Health inequality in North Central London remains a serious and persistent challenge, and Healthwatch in North Central London have been actively working with partners across the system and community to address this, leading a range of initiatives to tackle local inequality. The event brought together voices from across sectors to explore what’s needed next in a space for reflection, connection, and collective action.
Healthwatch does what it says. It brings together NHS providers and experts in all their diversity, it brings together people and the voluntary sector in all its diversity, and that becomes a pressure to make the whole public understand the need for us all to be aware of the need for better health services.
Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North
Public Voice proudly serves as the contract holder for four local Healthwatch services across England: Barnet, Croydon, Haringey and Hounslow. At a time when the independence of public advocacy is under threat, Public Voice stands at the forefront of the movement to protect and strengthen these vital services.
As a contract holder, Public Voice supports the mission of Healthwatch to remain a fearless and impartial advocate for those who often go unheard, especially for vulnerable groups and individuals facing barriers to care.
I am really passionate about community-based initiatives which the [health care] system can't necessarily do, but which community organisations may be better placed to do.
Paul Addae, Manager of Healthwatch Haringey
