Wirral Council applied for an allocation from the MHCLG Community Champions Fund of £375,000.

Funding was sought for:

Nine BAME link workers to be based across local BAME service providers providing active engagement with local BAME communities, supporting mobile testing and surge capacity, the local track and trace system providing translation and interpretation services and supporting local vaccination take up.

In-depth data analysis to understand ‘health literacy’ levels across the borough and the impact COVID-19 has had on the local BAME population.

Development of health literacy material and training materials to support BAME communities and easy read versions communications based on data analysis.

Improvements in the quality, translation, and accessibility of health information, including information relating to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination uptake.

Health literacy training for health professionals working with local BAME communities.

Technology to help BAME communities connect and access information.

Confirmation of the allocation of funding was received by the Council on the 13th January 2021 covering the period 1st March 2021 – 28th February 2022, with an expected go-live date of 1 March 2021 with payments made in monthly instalments.

RESOLVED that spend of the MHCLG BAME Community Champion Funding based on the proposed activity and indicative amounts outlined in the report be approved.

Detailed in the attached report.