Fascinating launch today of 'What Kingston Thinks' at The Rose Theatre in the heart of Kingston by Charity Kingston Charitable Foundation now rebranded as Kingston Giving where I was previously a trustee.
The research was conducted by the brilliant Rocket Science and funded by City Bridge Foundation over 9 months with great local researchers with support from Kingston University.
Residents were asked 'How do you feel about the following aspects of your life?'
Residents were asked how satisfied they were with Kingston as a place to live .. with 94% reporting Very and Somewhat Satisfied.
Then they were asked to rate by green amber and red the following areas, covered in order of red highest to lowest:
Mental health and wellbeing 39% said it was not going well
Physical health 31%
Disability and caring 30%
Income and Finances 28%
Employment 23%
Feeling connected 22%
Training and education 19%
Green spaces culture and leisure 18%
Getting around 18%
Housing and Homelessness 17%
Essential shops and services 17%
Feeling safe 16%
Caring 11%
Digital access and connectivity 72%
Mental Health
Dissatisfied respondents cited access and long waiting times for CAHMS with comments such as " 8-9 months waiting to be seen when they are at crisis point" exacerbating the downward spiral.
Physical Health
Dissatisfied respondents cited access and long waiting times and rescheduling for appointments. The long promised never delivered Leisure Centre was also referenced as a disappointment which left residents unable to exercise as private clubs were unaffordable.
Disability and Caring
Residents discussed the shortage of SEND facilities and funding and the frustration of fighting the system.
Income and Finances
Residents raised points including income inequality despite the median wage of £46k higher than London and UK average. Many argued that the level of council tax was unfair with declining services especially set in context of higher fuel bills and food costs and inflationary price increases on everything and low wage growth. Housing affordability and availability came very high on the list for young people, important not least for students at Kingston University, as well as for first time buyers priced out of the market by high interest rates and rising ratio to salary and mortgage payers whose payments have doubled.
Green Spaces
Residents raised again their lack of access to affordable leisure facilities and a swimming pool. One resident said "We are privileged to have so many green spaces but many could be better maintained and more accessible."
Public Transport
Residents described the roadworks as being "never-ending" poorly coordinated casuing delays and confusion making travelling "unpleasant by any means".
Housing
Rented accommodation and Housing associations has been singled out for Neglect with poor maintenance, mould, dampness, inadequate repairs and no landlord accountability. Cambridge Road Estate ranks amongst the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England and was brought up frequently in reference to crime, ASB and drug taking and personal safety. Homelessness was also highlighted as a growing concern with visible rough sleeping as well as over crowding and sofa surfing.
Thank you to Kingston Giving kingstongiving.org.uk for undertaking and presenting this insightful research on quality of life in Kingston Borough.
