Community needs assessment

A community needs assessment is a foundational tool in planning hyper-local, cooperative models of care. By examining demographic, socio-economic, and cultural data for a specific area, it helps us understand the lived realities of the people who make up a place, together with their challenges, assets, and unmet needs.

This data-informed approach allows us to:

• Align services with real-world demand

• Design initiatives that are inclusive, equitable, and responsive

• Measure impact in the context of the communities we work in

For Equal Care Co-op’s pilot in Clapton, East London, we focused primarily on Springfield Ward, situated in the London Borough of Hackney. Below is an overview of both areas.

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Why it matters for cooperative care

This kind of analysis supports:

• Strategic service design: tailoring care to local demographics

• Impact evaluation: measuring change relative to real-world needs

• Community resilience: identifying social infrastructure and pressure points

• Equity: highlighting structural inequalities that care services can address

It also helps us understand the systems surrounding formal care, including the informal, familial, and voluntary relationships that form the foundation of the care commons.

For the most part our pilot project in the Springfield Ward of Hackney, London. Find a comprehensive Demographic Overview of Springfield Ward and Hackney in the tabs below.

Key Data Insights: Springfield Ward, based on the latest available data.

Springfield is a diverse, densely populated ward in Hackney with pronounced community networks and unique care needs.

Population & Age

• Total population: 15,319 (2021 Census)

• Children and young people (0–17): 34.9%

• Adults (18–64): 56.4%

• Older adults (65+): 8.7% The area is significantly younger than London’s average.

Ethnicity & Migration

• White: 58.3%

• Black: 16.7%

• Asian: 7.2%

• Other / mixed ethnic groups: 17.8%

• Born outside the UK: 34% – including EU (9.6%) and Middle East/Asia (7.9%)

Housing & Deprivation

• Social housing: ~40% of households

• High levels of deprivation across employment, education, health, and crime domains

• Many households experience complex challenges that affect care access

Employment & Occupation

• Higher levels of part-time employment

• Fewer residents in managerial/professional roles

• Employment concentrated in administrative, caring, and service sectors

Education

• Double the Hackney average for residents with no formal qualifications

• Lower-than-average rates of higher education attainment

Religion & Cultural Identity

• Orthodox Jewish population: 35.7% of the ward (5,461 people)

• Other major religious groups: Christian (22.9%), Muslim (10.5%)

Orthodox Jewish Community Trends

• One of Europe’s largest Charedi communities (~30,000 in Hackney)

• Fast-growing, with high birth rates (25+ per 1,000)

• Strong cultural identity with unique educational, housing, and healthcare needs

Health & Disability

• Higher levels of long-term illness or disability than London average

• Lower life expectancy than neighbouring areas

Transport

• Low car ownership

• High reliance on public transport, walking, and cycling

Hackney Borough: Contextual Overview, based on the latest available data.

Hackney overall shares some of Springfield’s characteristics, but with broader diversity and wider income ranges.

Demographics

• Population: ~259,000

• Young borough: median age of 32

• Age breakdown:

  • 0–17: 21.8%

  • 18–64: 69.2%

  • 65+: 9.0%

Ethnicity & Migration

• White: 36.4%

• Black: 23.1%

• Asian: 13.3%

• Mixed/Other: 27.2%

• Born outside the UK: 36%

Housing & Deprivation

• Social housing: ~40%

• High levels of deprivation across all domains, among the worst in England

Employment & Education

• High levels of service-sector employment

• Education levels mixed:

  • 23.1% have no formal qualifications

  • 55.2% hold Level 4+ qualifications

Health & Disability

• Poorer health outcomes

• More residents with long-term conditions

• Lower life expectancy than many London boroughs

Crime

• Higher rates of property-related crime and anti-social behaviour

Our sources

We drew on a mix of sources to build this localised demographic and socio-economic profile:

ONS Census 2021, Hackney Council Reports, City Population Data

How life has changed in Hackney: Census 2021 Hackney population change, Census 2021 – ONS

Springfield (Ward, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location

Ward data, England and Wales: Census 2021 - Office for National Statistics.

Jewish Chronicle

Revelations from the new book of Numbers: how the Census reflects the changing landscape of UK Jewry - The Jewish Chronicle

Local Government Association

London Borough of Hackney: Charedi Orthodox Jewish community engagement

This assessment forms the backdrop for understanding the needs of Springfield’s residents and evaluating how well our care model is responding to them.

Community needs assessment of the locality

The demographic profile of Springfield Ward in Hackney has several important implications for the cooperative care service's outputs, particularly in terms of how care is delivered, who provides it, and how local resources are mobilized.

Circle Outputs

Given that many residents in Springfield experience both economic deprivation and long-term health challenges, it is essential for multi-stakeholder service evaluations to account for how effectively these socio-economic and health needs are being met. The diverse ethnic and religious landscape—most notably, the significant Orthodox Jewish community—means that evaluations should assess how culturally and religiously inclusive the care services are. It is important to capture feedback from across the community to fully understand how well the care provided addresses the specific needs of different groups.

Recruitment for care roles can benefit from the local population’s characteristics. Many residents hold part-time service-oriented jobs and may have lower formal qualifications, making local recruitment a promising avenue. By focusing on individuals already familiar with caregiving or service roles, especially from marginalized communities, care circles can build trust and better reflect the local demographic. This approach will be particularly effective in engaging younger adults and parents who are active within their families or communities.

Economic deprivation also presents an opportunity to mobilize volunteers who seek to give back to their community while gaining valuable experience. Residents familiar with service-oriented roles are prime candidates for volunteering, and partnerships with local faith groups and community hubs can help connect volunteers with care circles. This is especially relevant for the Orthodox Jewish community, which has strong traditions of mutual support. Additionally, the religious and community networks that exist within Springfield can be key assets, providing resources that can enrich the quality of life for both care workers and those receiving care. Ensuring that circles engage with these networks can help meet cultural needs while deepening local support for care initiatives.

Teams Outputs

The high proportion of residents with long-term illnesses and disabilities necessitates close cooperation with healthcare professionals. Collaborative care plans and continuous communication will be key to ensuring that care workers have the tools and knowledge needed to manage complex health conditions. Engaging local health services will also enhance the quality of care by providing a more integrated approach to addressing both physical and mental health challenges.

Springfield's high number of family-oriented households, particularly within the Orthodox Jewish community, means that many people prefer informal care from known individuals. Encouraging families to build their own care teams, comprised of friends, relatives, and volunteers, will increase trust and ensure that care reflects the community’s values and preferences. This family involvement can also improve satisfaction with care services, as people are more likely to feel comfortable receiving care from those within their personal network.

Furthermore, the high rate of part-time employment in Springfield highlights the importance of flexible working arrangements for care workers. Many care workers likely balance other responsibilities, such as family caregiving, which makes flexible scheduling a crucial factor in attracting and retaining staff. Offering this flexibility will also allow more residents to take on care roles without sacrificing other commitments, creating a more stable workforce.

Commons Outputs

The significant level of economic deprivation in Springfield creates a clear need for local engagement, and the commons can play a key role in this. Mobilizing volunteers from within Springfield’s socially rented housing and community hubs will not only provide much-needed support for care services but will also offer meaningful engagement opportunities for residents. Partnering with faith groups and community organizations can help create a steady stream of volunteers, ensuring that care circles and teams have the resources they need.

Springfield’s strong tradition of community solidarity, particularly within its ethnic and religious groups, presents an opportunity to build on the gifting of time and resources. Skill-sharing and time-banking schemes can foster mutual support within the community, while partnerships with local religious institutions and community groups can encourage the gifting of time and care. These initiatives can strengthen mutual care practices and foster a sense of community ownership over care services.

The rich cultural and community networks in Springfield, especially within the Orthodox Jewish population, offer untapped resources that can enhance the quality of life for both care providers and recipients. By leveraging these networks, circles can access spaces, support, and cultural knowledge that will improve the experience of care for all involved. This approach will also deepen ties between care services and the community, ensuring that care is both relevant and rooted in the local context.

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In summary, the demographic insights from Springfield Ward emphasize the need for culturally sensitive, flexible, and locally driven care services. By tapping into local resources, recruiting from within the community, and fostering strong relationships with local organizations and health services, the cooperative care model can achieve its goals of equitable, effective, and community-centered care.