Leeds City Council has secured funding to support those most at risk from COVID-19 and boost vaccine take up.
The funding has come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to support a programme of work to engage further with communities across Leeds. Leeds is one of 60 councils and voluntary groups across England who have been allocated this funding.
This will build on the work that has been taking place since March 2020 on outreach, engagement and communication with residents who have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19.
The Community Champions funding will enable the council to continue to work with voluntary and community organisations and Public Health to develop and deliver a wide range of measures and messages to further protect those most at risk.
A key feature of this work will include developing new networks of trusted local champions where they don’t already exist and will target communities who are more likely to suffer long-term impacts and poor outcomes from COVID-19.
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said: “This is really good news for Leeds in a time when the council is working hard to support communities in the city who have been affected by the pandemic. This funding will help us to continue to support work on getting out key messages to communities in Leeds on how to keep safe during the pandemic and the importance of getting vaccinated.
"It is more important than ever that we work with every community in Leeds to make sure this crucial work is heard and understood by everyone in the city. We know some people and groups have reservations or questions about COVID and the vaccine and that they have different ways of getting news or information. The strong partnerships we have in Leeds are critical for making sure we can get out important messages, build trust in all our communities and reassure everyone about what we are doing around COVID, the best ways to help stop the spread of the virus and information on the vaccine."
