Needs Analysis 2022 FLIP - Manual / Resource - Page 36
34
Medway
Dartford
Gravesham
Thanet
Swale
Sevenoaks
Tonbridge
& Malling
Canterbury
Maidstone
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The Borough of Tunbridge Wells lies on the
southwestern border of Kent on the northern edge of
the Weald, with its administrative centre, the historic spa
town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Tunbridge Wells has the lowest IMD in Kent and Medway
but within this is masked several higher deprivation
wards which are isolated within the relative affluence
around them, thus increasing and concentrating
inequalities. Highest deprived wards include Sherwood
(within 20% most deprived). Broadwater, Rusthall,
Southborough and High Brooms (all urban wards) are
within the highest 20- 40% (IMD. 2019).
Tunbridge
Wells
Dover
Ashford
Folkestone
& Hythe
Tunbridge Wells is
surrounded by some of Kent’s
most picturesque
countryside
Tunbridge Wells has the lowest IMD in Kent and Medway
DEMOGRAPHICS
PRIORITY AREAS OF NEED
Resident population of 118,900.
1. Reduce social, health and educational inequalities
in pockets of deprivation to improve quality of
life and life chances for all
The positive attributes and characteristics of Tunbridge
Wells can mask the social and health inequalities that
exist. There are significant pockets of deprivation in
some wards, and therefore the life chances of these
residents are limited by where they live. These gaps in
financial, educational and health circumstances will no
doubt have grown wider with the impact of lockdowns
during the pandemic. The ward of Broadwater has the
highest instances of common mental health issues at
21.4% vs Tunbridge Wells at 13.9%;179 Broadwater also
performed nearly 16% below the national average in
terms of children achieving a good level of development
at Early Years Foundation Stage.180 This is recognised as a
particular concern in the community where the families
of these children were more likely to have accessed
a food bank during lockdown and been financially
disadvantaged through a reduction in work/income
or unemployment.
270,000
260,000
278,556
280,000
250,000
240,000
230,000
220,000
210,000
200,000
190,000
NEEDS ANALYSIS
106,900
113,300
114,100
118,500
118,900
Ton
b
& M ridge
alli
ng
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for
d
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eno
Tu
a
nb
ks
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lls
Do
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rd
Fol
kes
& H tone
y
Gra the
ves
ham
net
Tha
Sw
ale
100,000
Me
dw
ay
Ma
ids
ton
e
Can
ter
bur
y
110,000
121,400
120,000
131,000
130,000
132,600
140,000
141,500
150,000
0
151,000
160,000
166,800
170,000
173,100
180,000
Broadwater ward performed nearly 16%
a good level of development at Early Yea
