Priority 1: A Fairer Neighbourhood

From Spring 2024-Autumn 2025 we worked with the community to make South Hampstead and Swiss Cottage a fairer place.

Read on to find out what we did.

Exploration: Imagining A Fairer Neighbourhood

What was it?

The Exploration Phase was the foundational stage of the Good Neighbourhood Project, running from April to September 2024. This phase aimed to engage local residents, organisations, and community groups to identify shared priorities for making Swiss Cottage and South Hampstead a fairer and greener place.

What did we do?

  • Introduced the project through 41 one-to-one meetings and 18 group meetings.

  • Built the Good Neighbourhood Network

  • Tested engagement methods at community events and with local groups.

  • Held 10 Imagination Sessions with 80+ residents from diverse backgrounds.

  • Hosted the Good Neighbourhood Festival, attended by 300+ people.

What did we find?

Community members highlighted six key focus areas:

  • Food & Nutrition: Affordable, nutritious food; community meals and food banks.

  • Wellbeing & Health: Mental health support, wellness hubs, fitness spaces.

  • Education & Learning: Inclusive schools, student voice, essential services.

  • Safety: Safe spaces for youth, traffic safety, improved lighting.

  • Community Spaces: Accessible gathering places, creative hubs, public toilets.

  • Housing: Affordable housing, reduced stigma, better estate spaces.

Together, they co-developed 18 practical ideas and actionable recommendations—half designed to be community-led projects, and half aimed at decision-makers.

To share their work, we hosted the Good Neighbourhood Assembly, where Collective members presented their recommendations to the community. Residents took part in both in-person and online voting to choose one community-led project and one policy recommendation for each theme to move forward.

These chosen recommendations now shape the next phase of the Good Neighbourhood Project—turning these ideas into meaningful action.

Inquiry: Good Neighbourhood Collective

Launched in October 2024, the Good Neighbourhood Collective is a group of 16 local residents working together to make South Hampstead and Swiss Cottage a fairer place for everyone.

Over several months, the Collective:

  • Gained skills in teamwork, community engagement, idea development, and public speaking. 

  • Engaged with over 200 residents to explore local challenges and opportunities

  • Identified three key themes to focus on:

    • Food and nutrition

    • Mental Health 

    • Community Spaces

Action: Turning Ideas Into Reality

We worked with 16 Neighbourhood Organisers to bring three community-led projects to life.

Community-led Projects

  • The Shared Plate is a project that is organising cooking workshops in local spaces to teach affordable, healthy, and culturally diverse recipes. We are partnering with food co-ops, local chefs, and nutritionists to develop recipes and create a community cookbook—available both online and in print.

  • We have launched ‘Lift UP’; an 8-week peer support programme designed to empower young people through mentorship, creativity, and community-building activities. Each week, mentors will lead activities while promoting confidence building, well-being and self expression. By the end of the programme participants will have developed a stronger support network, improved emotional wellbeing, and gained new skills.

  • As part of the Good Neighbourhood Project, we launched a programme of repair workshops by and for Swiss Cottage residents: Swiss Fix & Mix.

    Organised by residents in response to local demand, Swiss Fix & Mix will teach you the skills to make basic repairs to clothes and electrical items. Join your neighbours at our free workshops to learn new skills, and help reduce waste.

We are working with decision makers and stakeholders to ensure the following recommendations are put into action.

Actions for Decision-Makers

  • Ensure that new or refurbished community facilities include well-equipped community kitchens that can be used for cooking workshops, shared meals, and food education.


  • Expand access to mental health professionals and counselling services in schools.


  • Design and construct play areas inclusive to children with special needs and disabilities, ensuring accessibility and safety. Children, parents and caregivers will be involved in the design process.