Community Connections: Conversations brewing at Footprints Community Café

Blog - 22 May 2026

Healthwatch recently had the pleasure of joining TEWV Care Navigator Mark Carter and Community Wellbeing partnership coordinator Sharon Chapell at Footprints Community café in Redcar for a weekly drop-in session. The community café offers a variety of weekly events and community projects, whilst serving fresh, healthy and affordable home cooking.
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The drop-in started in celebration with TEWV Care Navigator Mark Carter, being presented with a Healthwatch South Tees ‘Spotlight Award’ for going above and beyond in everything he does. Well done, Mark! – Read more here!! Spotlight Awards

Throughout the morning Healthwatch offered routine blood pressure testing, with 13 individuals participating. The readings highlighted some positive signs with 

  • 6 registering as healthy
  • 1 low
  • 4 slightly raised
  • 3 high

All participants were provided with appropriate recommendations and guidance on maintaining and managing healthy blood pressure. Many locals commended the service and were grateful for the opportunity, reinforcing the importance of accessible and community-based health checks. 

Further discussions explored locals’ perception on digital healthcare systems, and individuals’ experiences with the NHS app and online self-service information. Recurring themes surrounding, low digital confidence, lack of digital trust and concerns in the safety of online health records and data breaches emerged, whilst some individuals expressed their thoughts on the value of the NHS app and how it has enabled them to be more independent with their healthcare, allowing them to easily book appointments and order repeat prescriptions. 

These engagements continue to help Healthwatch South Tees understand the current view on digital systems, and help build evidence on possible interventions to reduce digital inclusion and health inequalities. 

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