For many women who have recently moved to the UK, living in London can be an isolating experience. Whilst a plethora of organisations are available, these may be difficult to access in an unfamiliar system. We know from previous research that women with young children may be particularly isolated. This may also affect the quality of life of their children.

Over the course of the next year, we will be speaking to women with young children who have limited spoken English. Through interpreters, we will explore their views of the local area as well as places and people of importance.

We have been visiting a range of Battersea based organisations to identify what is available and discuss local issues. We hope to continue this dialogue and to involve wider organisations during the course of this work. We will work both with the organisations and with the women who are at the heart of the study, to apply the findings of the research. This will be an ongoing process, which begins now, by facilitating contact between the isolated women we meet and appropriate organisations.

This work is being carried out by Dr Annie Bartlett and Elhum Ghandi at St George's, in partnership with Jane Hubert at St George's, Refugee Action, Refugee Council, The Maternity Alliance and London Play, together with the Universities of Liverpool and Middlesex. This is one of several pieces of work within the WestFocus Social Inclusion Network, which seeks to promote the social inclusion of families.

For further details please contact:
Elhum Ghandi on 020 8725 3454 or by email at eghandi@sgul.ac.uk