Community Health Champion Lead

Reading Borough Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Community Health Champions Lead to spearhead a public health initiative. The role involves developing a network of Community Health Champions, recruiting and training community volunteers, and ensuring accurate public health messaging. This position requires strong organizational and communication skills, with a focus on community development and health improvement strategies. This opportunity offers competitive benefits and a commitment to flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Flexible working opportunities

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading community health projects.
• Strong commitment to tackling health inequalities.
• Proficient in building networks and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and activation of the Community Health Champions network.
• Recruit and support volunteers.
• Facilitate community development and health improvements.
• Conduct evaluations to enhance program effectiveness.

Skills

Community engagement

Organizational skills

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Job description

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Community Health Champions Lead to help drive forward Reading’s growing network of Community Health Champions. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a well-established and impactful public health programme that connects, informs, and empowers local people to take action on their health and wellbeing priorities in their own communities.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working; it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About The Role

You’ll lead the development and activation of Reading’s Community Health Champions network working closely with key partners including the champions themselves, the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) and New Directions College. Your role will involve recruiting and supporting volunteers, delivering a coproduced programme of training and events, and ensuring that champions are equipped to both share accurate, accessible public health messages and advocate effectively for their communities. You’ll also play a role in gathering community insights, supporting champions to share lived experiences and facilitate their influence on local health strategies. From organising events and virtual sessions to producing newsletters and evaluating impact, this is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same.

What you’ll be doing

• Building trusted relationships with community groups, healthcare providers, and local partners.
• Supporting recruitment, training, and development of volunteer Community Health Champions.
• Facilitating Asset Based Community Development and collaborating with communities about removing the barriers to improving their health and wellbeing.
• Leading the ongoing evaluation and improvement of the programme.
• Supporting champions to gather community insights and share lived experiences that help shape local health priorities.

About You

You’ll be someone with a real passion for asset based community development and public health approaches, bringing experience of leading projects that create meaningful change. You will be curious and culturally humble with strong communication and organisational skills, with the confidence to work with a wide range of lay people and professionals — from volunteers and local residents to partner organisations and health professionals. You’ll also be a natural collaborator who enjoys building networks and empowering others to make a difference. Experience in coordinating volunteers, managing events, and developing community partnerships will be key, along with a commitment to tackling health inequalities and helping everyone in Reading live healthier, happier lives.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our Vision and Values

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer

• Competitive salary alongside a range of benefits.
• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery – at the Civic Offices) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Dayna White, Advanced Public Health Practitioner [e-mail].

Closing Date: Sunday 25th January 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interviews Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Reading