We are honoured to be shortlisted for Workforce Initiative of the Year at this year’s HSJ Awards, one of the most prestigious recognitions in healthcare.
This nomination celebrates the Community and Maternity Champions Project, delivered in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council. The programme created an apprenticeship pathway for local volunteer Champions into qualified Community Health and Wellbeing Worker roles, so that people already trusted in their neighbourhoods could move into paid employment without losing their connections to the communities they serve.
What the programme achieved
Over 2023 to 2025 the Champions delivered 29,436 volunteering hours, supported 7,100 activity sessions and health campaigns, and enabled 106,725 resident attendances. Of the residents taking part, 95% reported an improved sense of belonging, 89% improved health and 82% increased trust in health and care services. An independent social return on investment evaluation found every £1 invested generated £5 to £6 of societal value.
Of the apprentices themselves, 88% were retained in paid roles, 93% were women and 86% were from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. All rated the training excellent or very good.
The programme is embedded in eleven neighbourhoods, with commissioned voluntary sector partners as employers, and is replicable for other sectors such as mental health, ageing well and children’s services.
Through this initiative we have not only achieved meaningful improvements in community health but also supported local apprenticeships, workforce development and individual careers. Huge thanks to everyone involved.
You can read more about the programme in our Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster case study on cmapprenticeships.co.uk.