People case study - Community Champions

People Case Study

Community Champions

Project Summary

A network of 20 community champions has been supporting residents to improve their health literacy and adopt healthier behaviours. Speaking nine community languages between them, Champions engage people where they already are -through local VCS organisations, cultural groups and neighbourhood networks - making health information more accessible, trusted and relevant.

Their work has strengthened community connections, empowered residents and created new pathways into preventative health support

Key Activities

Weekly community outreach

Champions attended local VCS sessions to share health information, signpost residents and encourage participation in wellbeing activities.

Peer support and the ‘Buddy Scheme’

At Elays Network, champions created WhatsApp buddy groups to motivate residents to stay active and support one another.

Targeted engagement with under-represented groups

Champions co-designed a cervical screening project with South Asian women, offering culturally informed insight and connecting the team to trusted community spaces.

Impact and Outcomes

Improved health literacy for over 120 residents weekly:

Regular engagement has helped people understand health information, navigate services and adopt healthier habits.

Stronger community voice in local health priorities:

Champions helped more residents shape Healthwatch Wandsworth’s priorities, ensuring lived experience informs decision-making.

New community-led initiatives:

One champion established her own organisation, now running coffee mornings and sports sessions for local women with support from council funds.

Direct improvements in individual health and safety:

Champions have provided vital 1-1 support- from recognising epilepsy symptoms and encouraging GP checks, to helping friends access mental health services using MECC training.

Community Voice:

What our communities said

It’s good to meet like-minded folks and to meet others. Just being there this year has been challenging, especially mentally and emotionally; the group has kept me alive, and that is not an exaggeration. Just knowing that the group exists is extremely helpful and supportive with [my] own awareness of health. Having the group to attend gives me something to focus on.

- Participant at a champion’s event at the Furzedown Project.