Table 3 Summary of community champion programmes and roles
Case | Date published | Programme approach | Target population groups | Settings | Main champion roles | Reported numbers recruited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
c1 | 10/12/2021 | Community champion programme was a major component of partnership work to increase the reach and effectiveness of COVID communications. Delivery through VCS organisations who recruited, trained and supported champions | Ethnic minority communities Migrants, asylum seekers & refugees People with a disability | Community settings (including faith) Workplaces/ local businesses | Outreach activities Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Signposting to information/support Building trust | Not reported |
c2 | 15/09/2021 | Creation of network of community partners (grassroots organisations and faith groups), coordinated by Race Equality Network. Lead champions recruited other champions and facilitated 2-way information flows with communities | Ethnic minority communities People with a disability | Community settings (including faith) | Outreach activities Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Signposting to information Developing/tailoring communication materials Community leadership Feedback of community insights | 300 including 49 lead champions |
c3 | 17/01/2022 | Community-initiated programme, later rolled out across district. Focused on creation of ‘network of informed and aware citizens’ who raised awareness and understanding of vaccination and managing COVID risk | Ethnic minority communities Young people People with a disability | Community settings Workplaces/local businesses | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Promotion and practical support to vaccine clinics and community testing | 200 |
c4 | 31/10/2022 | Pre-existing community connector programme adapted to the pandemic response. Community connectors were employed by VCS organisations to connect with communities and help design culturally sensitive services. Approach based on asset-based principles using appreciative inquiry as basis for community conversations | Ethnic minority communities Older people People with a disability Older people Other vulnerable groups | Community settings | Outreach activities Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Signposting to information/support Promoting health & wellbeing Strengthening social connections Community leadership | 10 community connectors |
c5 | 13/12/2021 | Population-wide approach focused on capacity building in workplace and community settings. Pre-existing MECC scheme extended to other vulnerable groups and settings. Training supported champions to cascade information to communities | Ethnic minority communities Migrants, asylum seekers, refugees Other vulnerable groups eg. carers, veterans | Community settings Workplaces/local businesses Local services Schools | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Promoting health & wellbeing Signposting to information/support Engaging in training/support for local services and community groups | Over 500 Also 6000 + junior champions |
c6 | 05/08/2021 | Strengthening local infrastructure and collaboration with VCS organisations to improve outreach, communication and volunteering. Champions (people or organisations) worked within community action network | Ethnic minority communities Young people Older people People with a disability Homeless/rough sleepers | Not specified – across district | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages | 98 (across 55 local organisations) |
c7 | 10/08/2021 | Pre-existing health champions programme based on neighbourhood work, community and personal development. Additional COVID health champions role to support pandemic response. Programme gathered community insight to shape services and address inequalities | Other vulnerable groups | Community settings | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Promotion and practical support to vaccine clinics Signposting to information/support Promoting health & wellbeing Direct support to food banks, shopping services Strengthening social connections Community leadership Feedback of community insights | 195 |
c8 | 31/10/2022 | Community champion programme focus on improving communication and vaccine uptake. Grants given to VCS organisations and groups to reach target communities, recruit champions and build capacity for engagement activities. A learning & support network facilitated communication and sharing community insight | Ethnic minority communities People with a disability Other vulnerable groups eg carers | Community settings Local services Workplaces/ local businesses | Outreach activities Awareness raising and communication of public health messages Promotion and practical support to vaccine clinics Feedback of community insights | 80 |
c9 | 14/06/2021 | Establishment of a health equity collaboration to improve messaging and communication to at-risk populations. Supported 2-way information flow with communities. Range of volunteer roles including community influencers using mass media and COVID chat volunteers | Ethnic minority communities Migrants, asylum seekers & refugees People with a disability | Not specified – across district Workplaces/ local businesses | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Community leadership Feedback of community insights | Not reported |
c10 | 17/10/2021 | COVID champions network was key mechanism supporting 2-way information flows with communities. Grew from network of funded VCS organisations to include staff, residents and community leaders. Public health facilitated network and provided grants | Ethnic minority communities Older people Other vulnerable groups | Community settings (including faith) | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Promotion and practical support to vaccine clinics Organising community settings for vaccination and community testing Feedback of community insights | 60 Also 244 in COVID champions network |
c11 | 04/10/2021 | Comprehensive community champions programme built on pre-existing whole system communities strategy. Communication and gathering community insights occurred through local networks and COVID community engagement groups. Champions discussed wider health determinants as well as pandemic issues | Ethnic minority communities People with a disability Other vulnerable groups | Community settings | Outreach activities Promoting health and wellbeing in communities Strengthening social connections Feedback of community insights | Not reported |
c12 | 19/08/2021 | Programme focused on community support within pandemic. Volunteering service based on ‘wellbeing friends’ offering 1:1 telephone support to increase wellbeing and reduce social isolation of vulnerable adults. Also a wider champions network to improve messaging in communities | Other vulnerable groups | Not specified | Befriending and telephone-based support Social support and reduction of isolation Awareness raising & communication of public health messages | 74 wellbeing friends 650 in network of community champions |
c13 | 10/12/2021 | Four case studies developed by VCS organisations; 3 representing specific ethnic minority populations and 1 working with young people from diverse ethnic minority communities. VCS groups received grants, mobilised staff, volunteers and community leaders and led design and delivery of engagement activities through community networks | Ethnic minority communities Migrants, asylum seekers & refugees Young people People with a disability | Community settings (including faith) | Outreach activities Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Social support and reduction of isolation Feedback of community insights | Not reported |
c14 | 03/02/2021 | Programme developed early in pandemic initially to support COVID messaging, later used for vaccine roll out. Champions as resource in public health system because they tackled barriers and built trust | Not reported | Not specified | Awareness raising & communication of public health messages | 585 |
c15 | 24/02/2022 | Programme built a network of champions and local grassroots organisations. Mix of supporting local health services and community-led outreach activities. Some activities supported by small grants. Emphasis on community empowerment and working with trusted messengers with cultural competence and language skills | Ethnic minority communities Young people Other vulnerable groups | Community settings | Awareness raising and communication of public health messages Outreach activities Awareness raising and communication of public health messages Signposting to information/support Promotion and practical support to vaccine clinics Developing/tailoring communication materials Leading and designing community activities | 75 |
c16 | 03/02/2021 | Community champions integral to partnership approach across various levels of local government. Emphasis on champions as trusted messengers who communicated messages, tackled disinformation and translated | Not reported | Not specified | Outreach activities Awareness raising & communication of public health messages Translation/tailoring of communication materials | 30 |