Community Health and Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) in Westminster
Local people, working locally to support better health and wellbeing
Community Health and Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) are part of the wider healthcare team supporting households across Westminster.
They work alongside GPs, practice teams and other health and care professionals to provide proactive, personalised support to people in their local communities.
CHWWs are trusted local people who know their neighbourhoods and understand the issues that can affect people’s health and wellbeing. They work in defined local areas, getting to know households and helping people to access the right support at the right time.
The CHWW programme in Westminster is part of the wider Octopus / Integrated Neighbourhood Team approach, bringing together health services, local government and voluntary and community organisations to work more closely around the needs of local residents.
Does a CHWW cover my postcode?
CHWWs work in specific geographical areas across Westminster.
This means that the service is available to everyone living within the designated postcode areas, rather than being based solely on which GP practice someone is registered with.
At the moment this is still being developed, so postcodes were chosen within the most resource-deprived areas with the hope to expand this initiative to all postcodes within these areas eventually.
Visit our CHWW coverage map page
If your postcode is covered, the postcode checker will tell you which team and CHWW is responsible for your building.
If your postcode is not currently covered, you can still speak to your GP practice about other local services and sources of support.
Why do CHWWs work in particular postcodes?
CHWWs work in defined geographical areas because their role is deliberately local and proactive.
Rather than waiting for people to become unwell or to ask for help, CHWWs get to know their communities and build relationships with local households.
Working in defined neighbourhoods also means CHWWs can understand the particular circumstances, strengths and challenges of the communities they serve.
This helps health and care teams identify issues earlier and connect people with appropriate support.
The model is designed to help reduce health inequalities by directing additional community-based support to areas where it can make the greatest difference.
CHWWs are not a replacement for GPs or other healthcare professionals.
They are an additional member of the wider team, helping residents to navigate health, wellbeing and practical issues and connecting them with the services that can help.
What can a CHWW help with?
A CHWW can help with a wide range of health, wellbeing and practical issues.
For example, they can:
- Help you understand and navigate NHS and GP services.
- Provide information about NHS Health Checks, screening, vaccinations and other preventive health services.
- Support you to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Help you connect with local activities, groups and community services.
- Help with issues around housing, benefits, cost of living and other factors that can affect health and wellbeing.
- Support digital inclusion and help people access services online.
- Help you find appropriate mental health and wellbeing support.
- Listen to what matters to you and help identify the right source of support.
- Connect you with voluntary, community and social support.
- Help identify concerns early and, where appropriate, connect you with health or other professional services.
CHWWs often speak different languages from their local communities, and are trained in wellbeing advocacy, safeguarding, and mental health awareness.
They are from the communities they serve and understand the challenges many residents face.
CHWWs can also help residents to make sense of different services and work with other members of the wider health and care team when a more specialist response is needed.
They do not replace your GP, nurse or other healthcare professional, and they do not provide emergency medical care.
If you have an urgent medical problem, contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
CHWWs and your GP practice
CHWWs work alongside GP practices and other health professionals across Westminster as part of the wider medical and neighbourhood team.
Your CHWW may therefore work with your GP practice when this is appropriate, helping to connect the things that matter to you in your everyday life with the healthcare you receive.
The aim is simple: to make sure that people’s health and wellbeing are supported not only in the consulting room, but also in the communities and homes where people live.
Meet the CHWW teams
Our Westminster CHWWs are based in two community locations, supporting residents in the north and south of the borough.
South Westminster CHWW team
Based at The Abbey Centre
The Abbey Centre is a community hub in South Westminster, supporting local residents and community organisations.
The Abbey Centre
34 Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BU
The South Westminster CHWW team works with residents in its designated postcode areas.
Meet the South Westminster CHWWs
North Westminster CHWW team
Based at Paddington Development Trust
Paddington Development Trust is a community organisation working with local people and communities in North Westminster.
Paddington Development Trust
The Stowe Centre
258 Harrow Road
London W2 5ES
The North Westminster CHWW team works with residents in its designated postcode areas.
Clinical Leadership
The CHWW teams are recruited as local community workers and their local knowledge is an important part of the model. NAPC describes the national model as employing trusted local residents who work hyper-locally with defined households and integrate with GP practices and local authorities. NNational Association of Primary Care
Our clinical lead
The CHWW programme in Westminster is clinically led by:
Dr Cornelia Junghans Minton
Clinical Lead, Community Health and Wellbeing Workers Programme, Westminster
Dr Cornelia Junghans Minton is a GP and Public Health Specialist working in Westminster. She has been closely involved in developing the CHWW model in Westminster and in its wider development and evaluation.
Contact Dr Cornelia Junghans Minton:
c.junghans-minton@imperial.ac.uk
Questions, feedback, compliments or complaints
We want to hear from residents and professionals about their experience of the CHWW service.
If you have a question, compliment, concern, complaint or other feedback about the Westminster CHWW programme, please contact Central London Healthcare:
Central London Healthcare (CLH) uses this address for patient enquiries and feedback about its services.
You can also contact CLH at 020 7535 8300.
For formal complaints, CLH operates within the wider NHS complaints process.
Find out more about the CHWW model
The Westminster CHWW programme is part of a growing national movement towards proactive, community-based and preventative healthcare
The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) supports the development and roll-out of the CHWW model nationally, working with local systems to implement the approach, share learning and develop the evidence base.
Community Health and Wellbeing Workers – NAPC
Find out more about the national CHWW programme, how the model works and its development across England.
Community Health and Wellbeing Workers: Westminster case study – NAPC
Read about the origins of the Westminster programme and how CHWWs work with households to provide holistic health and wellbeing support.
How CHWWs improve health and wellbeing – NAPC
Read the latest analysis of how CHWWs support residents in Westminster, including the practical and relational aspects of the model.
Transforming Primary Care Through CHWWs – NAPC
Read Dr Cornelia Junghans Minton’s account of the development of the CHWW programme in Westminster.
CHWWs: From Brazil to the UK – NAPC
Find out about the origins of the model and how the approach has been adapted for communities in the UK.
CHWWs in Westminster: part of a national movement
The Westminster programme was one of the first UK implementations of this approach. The model has subsequently developed across a growing number of sites, with NAPC providing national support, learning and collaboration to help local systems implement it effectively.
Frequently asked questions
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A Community Health and Wellbeing Worker (CHWW) is a member of the wider health and care team who works locally with people in their community.
CHWWs are there to help you stay well, prevent problems from getting worse and connect you with the right services and support. They can help with a wide range of issues affecting your physical health, mental wellbeing and day-to-day life.
They work closely with GP practices and other health and care professionals, as well as voluntary and community organisations.
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The CHWW programme is designed to be proactive. Rather than waiting for someone to ask for help, CHWWs work with households in specific local postcode areas and offer support to people who live there.
The programme is currently being tested and developed in selected areas of Westminster, with plans for wider roll-out. Not every postcode is currently covered.
You can use our postcode checker to see whether you live in an area currently supported by a CHWW.
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Each household currently eligible for the CHWW programme will normally be offered an in-person visit once a month.
The purpose of regular contact is to build a relationship over time. Your CHWW can get to know you, understand what matters to you and help you access support when you need it.
You do not have to wait for your monthly visit if something comes up. Your CHWW will give you their contact details or a calling card so that you know how to get in touch.
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No. Taking part is voluntary.
Your CHWW will explain the programme and what they can offer. You can decide whether you would like to engage with them.
If you are not ready to take part when your CHWW visits, that’s completely fine. They can leave you a calling card and, where appropriate, you can ask them to come back at a later date.
You can also contact your CHWW proactively if you decide you would like some support in the future.
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All Community Health and Wellbeing Workers carry identification from the organisations involved in the programme.
CHWWs carry NHS identification and TAC/PDT ID cards, depending on their employing organisation.
If you are unsure about someone’s identity, you do not have to let them into your home. You can ask to see their identification and contact your GP practice or Central London Healthcare to verify that the person is a member of the CHWW team.
If you have any concerns, please contact us before allowing someone into your home.
Central London Healthcare:
hcl.contactus@nhs.net
020 7535 8300 -
CHWWs can help with many different aspects of health and wellbeing.
For example, they can help you:
- Connect with local and national services that could benefit your physical health and mental wellbeing.
- Understand and navigate NHS services.
- Find local community groups, activities and support.
- Access advice about healthy living and preventing ill health.
- Find appropriate support for your mental health and wellbeing.
- Understand what services are available locally.
- Access support relating to housing, benefits, finances or the cost of living where these issues are affecting your health and wellbeing.
- Get help with digital access and using online services.
- Find social activities and opportunities to reduce loneliness and isolation.
- Access voluntary and community organisations.
- Understand information provided by health and care services.
- Connect with the appropriate professional if you need more specialist support.
Sometimes the most useful thing a CHWW can do is simply listen and help you work out what support would be most useful to you.
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CHWWs are not a replacement for your GP, nurse or other clinical professionals.
They can help you understand and navigate health services and connect you with the appropriate professional or service, but they do not diagnose conditions or provide emergency medical treatment.
If you have a medical concern, your CHWW can help you understand where to seek appropriate support.
For urgent medical problems, contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
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Yes.
CHWWs are part of the wider health and care team and work alongside GP practices and other health professionals across Westminster.
Where appropriate and with your involvement, your CHWW can help connect information and support between you, your GP practice and other services.
The aim is to make sure that the wider circumstances affecting your health and wellbeing are considered alongside your medical care.
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Your CHWW will explain how your information is used and will work in accordance with NHS information governance, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
They will only share information with other professionals and services where there is an appropriate reason to do so and in accordance with the relevant rules and your rights.
If you have questions about how your information is collected, used or shared, you can ask your CHWW, your GP practice or Central London Healthcare.
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That’s absolutely fine.
You don’t need to have a particular problem or health condition to speak to your CHWW.
The programme is about prevention as well as responding to problems. Your CHWW can help you find ways to stay healthy, connected and informed about the services available in your local community.
If you don’t want support at the moment, you can simply let your CHWW know.
They can leave you a calling card so that you have their details if you change your mind.
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You can ask your CHWW to come back at another time.
Your CHWW will give you a calling card with their details. You can then contact them proactively if and when you feel ready to take part.
There is no obligation to engage with the programme simply because you live in a postcode covered by the service.
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Yes.
Your CHWW will provide you with their contact details or a calling card. You can use these details to get in touch when you need support or have a question.
Your CHWW may also be able to help you identify other services that you can contact directly.
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Tell your CHWW if something changes in your circumstances or if you think you need different support.
Because CHWWs build an ongoing relationship with local residents, they can help you navigate new issues as they arise and connect you with the appropriate service.
If you move house, you should also let your CHWW know, as CHWW support is linked to specific postcode areas.
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CHWWs work in defined geographical areas, so your eligibility may change if you move.
If you move, use the CHWW postcode checker to see whether your new address is covered.
Your CHWW can also help you identify alternative sources of support if your new postcode is outside the current CHWW programme.
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Yes, where appropriate.
If you would like a family member, friend or carer to be involved in conversations with your CHWW, let them know.
Your CHWW will explain any relevant confidentiality and consent requirements.
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Yes.
Loneliness and social isolation can have an important impact on physical and mental wellbeing.
A CHWW can help you explore local activities, community groups, social opportunities and other sources of support that may be appropriate for you.
They can also help connect you with organisations that provide more specialist support where needed.
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Yes.
Your health is affected by many things outside of medical treatment, including housing, finances, employment, social connections, access to food, transport and your local environment.
CHWWs can help you identify relevant services and organisations that may be able to support you with these issues.
They don’t provide all of these services themselves, but they can help you find the right support and navigate your way to it.
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We welcome feedback about the CHWW programme.
If you have a compliment, question, concern or complaint about the service, please contact Central London Healthcare.
Email: hcl.contactus@nhs.net
Telephone: 020 7535 8300We value feedback from residents and use it to help improve the service.
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The CHWW programme in Westminster is part of a wider national approach to community-based health and wellbeing support.
The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) supports the development and roll-out of the CHWW model nationally and provides further information, case studies and evidence about how the model works.
Find out more on NAPC here.
Read good news and case studies here.
Learn more about the CHWW model here.
