Sarah Rackham

Sarah Rackham, public and patient representative at Wandsworth CCG and Community Development Manager at Katherine Lowe Settlement

“My first foray into working with the NHS was with Wandsworth Community Healthy Living Council when I was 21.  Almost 50 years later I am still here – I turn 69 soon!

“I mainly work at the Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea; a busy charity that run a range of community projects. We support children, young people and their families, older people and refugees and newly arrived communities. Working with health, care, and community professionals, we try and incorporate practical health measures to identify and improve public health needs. Prevention is a common theme in our work – today we have a workshop for the brain!

“I am also involved in a range of projects to improve health and care in Wandsworth; as a representative on the Patient and Public Reference Group and Thinking Partners Group for Wandsworth CCG, a member of my GP surgery’s Patient Participation Group, a trustee for Sound Minds and as a volunteer for Battersea Befriending Network.

“I really love working with people who are completely committed to tackling health inequalities – as this allows us to maintain the highest possible standards for the community. I would recommend getting involved in the community as it can make all the difference in the world to people’s lives when done well.

“My two proudest moments (so far!) have been enabling parents to set up the Battersea Sure Start and working with a group of local women who trained and worked as female genital mutilation (FGM) community champions.”