London Neighbourhood Data Explorer
Unlocking neighbourhood data for VCSE organisations
Access to meaningful data is essential if VCSE organisations are to shape services, influence decisions and address health inequalities. Developed by PPL in partnership with London's health and care system, the London Neighbourhood Explorer provides free access to neighbourhood-level data for the first time.
Partner organisations
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Overview
VCSE organisations play a vital role in supporting communities, but often do not have access to the same data and intelligence as NHS, local authority and commissioning partners.
The London Neighbourhood Data Explorer is helping to change that. Developed by PPL in partnership with all London ICBs and VCSE Alliances, the free online tool brings together population data and makes it accessible at neighbourhood level, helping organisations to better understand the needs of the local communities they serve.
What can the tool do
The Explorer allows users to:
- View all neighbourhoods in London through an interactive map
- Explore population, ethnicity, deprivation and health data for each neighbourhood
- Compare level of need within neighbourhoods boroughs and integrated care systems footprint
- Benchmark neighbourhoods against borough and London averages
- Identify patterns, inequalities and emerging needs
- Export insights and charts into PowerPoint presentations
All information is drawn from publicly available datasets and presented at neighbourhood level.
Why it matters for VCSE organisations
The Explorer provides practical evidence that organisations can use to:
- Strengthen funding and grant applications
- Better understand local need data
- Inform service design and delivery
- Support conversations with commissioners and partners
- Demonstrate the need for services and interventions
- Contribute to neighbourhood health planning
By combining local knowledge and insight with robust data,VCSE organisations can play a leading role in shaping decisions that affecttheir communities.
Looking ahead
The Data Explorer forms part of London's wider work to strengthen neighbourhood health and create a shared evidence base across health, care and VCSE partners. The SEL VCSE Strategic Alliance continues to champion equitable access to data and ensure that VCSE organisations are fully represented within the development of neighbourhood approaches across London.
This would help ensure that neighbourhood planning is informed not only by data about communities, but also by a better understanding of the strengths, relationships and community assets that support people's health and wellbeing.