Community Champions, recruiting local people as volunteers to tackle inequalities.

Camden Council is implementing a three-year Community Champions programme on local housing estates in three different areas of Camden. This programme will build on the skills and knowledge of local communities, by recruiting local people as volunteers to tackle inequalities, improve health and wellbeing and address local issues of concern.

The three local areas where the programme will operate are:

• Regent’s Park: Regent’s Park Estate

• Kilburn: Kilburn Vale, Webheath, West End Sidings, Kingsgate estates

• Kentish Town: Peckwater, Torriano, Kenbrook House, Osney Crescent estates

The council is looking for one community organisation (or collaboration), which could be a VCS, faith organisation or a school, with strong local connections, to run each of the three community champions projects. Each of the successful organisations will be resourced to recruit a co-ordinator who will work closely with local residents to identify their health and well-being priorities, recruit local volunteers, support a series of activities and events and increase signposting to existing services. The three co-ordinators across the areas, while working for different local community organisations, would form a team to share learning.