Kirklees Council: Community champions empowering people to make informed health choices

Reducing health inequalities is a key focus for Kirklees Health and Care Partnership, which brings together Kirklees Council, the local NHS, other health providers, Healthwatch, voluntary and community sector partners and others. 

One project set up through the partnership is Kirklees community champions, a network of trained local residents who encourage and empower people to make informed health and wellbeing choices – with a focus on communities where there are health inequalities. 

The programme launched in 2021 to promote the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations. Since 2023 it has had a broader focus, supporting people facing health inequalities to make informed choices. It is run by TSL Kirklees, a charity and membership organisation created by the local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. 

By January 2025 there were 95 community champions, each representing either a place-based community or a community of interest. Training in more than 20 topics had been provided – including cervical, bowel and breast cancer; diabetes; measles; respiratory health; encouraging uptake of vaccines; menopause; mental health awareness and stopping smoking. 

The champions are trusted and trained individuals with a desire and commitment to make a difference. Through meaningful one-to-one or group conversations they can talk to people about things like the importance of routine cancer screening, childhood and winter vaccinations, or reducing the risk of preventable health conditions. 

These conversations may be informal – in supermarkets, salons, places of worship or at school pick-up – or through community events and groups. Every conversation is digitally recorded to help make the most of any learning and measure the impact. 

The champions can also identify and action local needs and have been instrumental in setting up diabetes peer support groups and pop-up vaccination clinics. 

They are recruited and paid for their work through 14 VCSE organisations which are delivery partners for the project. Voluntary roles are available where appropriate. 

Steffi Rogers is the Project Manager for TSL Kirklees, and her role includes arranging the training, coordinating the champions and evaluating the impact. She organises regular learning and support sessions along with social events where the champions can celebrate their achievements. 

Steffi said: “We have a really good collaborative relationship with public health and the West Yorkshire ICB – we all know what our strengths are. We are well supported by them, and they are really big champions of this work. That makes a huge difference.” 

Each campaign is summarised and evaluated (there is a link to the 2023/24 evaluations. The total number of conversations for each campaign topic is recorded, which to date include: 

• diabetes – 3,285
• cervical cancer – 2,588
• bowel and breast cancer – 1,879.
• they are trusted, approachable and already known to people in their communities
• they bring cultural awareness – identifying barriers and potential issues
• they are good at signposting people for further support
• they have a range of skills and lived experience
• they have a real desire to make change in their communities. 

TSL Kirklees has identified many advantages to the community champions approach, including: 

Between them, the champions speak 20 different languages, which is critical in reaching communities where some people speak little or no English. They actively improve health engagement by taking messages into communities that are less likely to engage with services. Their knowledge of cultural barriers and sensitivities helps to ensure that messaging is appropriate and effective. 

Steffi Rogers said: “the champions are special people who really care about their communities. They will have this training for life now and will always be able to use it to help themselves, their family, friends and people in their communities.” 

Participants report being proud of their role and benefiting from it in a number of ways – gaining confidence, experience and satisfaction. For some, it gives them the boost they need to move into permanent employment. 

For the first two years, core service funding for the community champions programme was provided by the Health and Care Partnership, to support its CORE20Plus5 work. While that funding stream ended in March 2025, further funding was secured through the Better Care Fund. 

Steffi Rogers said: “Having the core funding is important as it means we can have that network of community champions in place. We are then able to respond to particular issues and run campaigns as required.” 

New training opportunities are added when new pots of money are identified. For example, in 2024 funding was received from the UKSPF, expanding the campaigns to include domestic abuse, falls, addiction and gambling – always with health at the heart of the message. Public health funded a measles campaign, and the NHS funded work around childhood and winter immunisations. 

Longer-term sustainable funding would be welcomed as it would provide greater security for the delivery partners, along with the ability to implement an extended development and delivery plan. 

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Kirklees Council’s Executive Director of Public Health and Corporate Resources, said this initiative could prove to be instrumental in reducing health inequalities. “The community champions programme has been recognised as a best practice model, enabling significant community engagement across multiple health priorities. The addition of resources such as blood pressure monitors, through the West Yorkshire ICB, has also enhanced their outreach and the impact on reducing health inequalities.” 

For further information contact Steffi Rogers, Programme Manager: [email protected]