WDP Community Champions

Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP)

WDP has a team of 11 Community Champions - Ebony, Derek, Dave, Leigh, Ellen, Tom, Laura, Kate, Nick, Esstta and Lyndsey - all of whom have lived experience of disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, ranging from physical, invisible, learning, neurodiverse and sensory disabilities.

The team can provide information, advice and guidance to communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in an appropriate and accessible way. They are available to provide support and answers to any questions or concerns you may have regarding the vaccination programme, testing and the government's roadmap.

Several members of the team have experience of having COVID-19, several others have experienced shielding during the pandemic, and all members of the team have received both doses of the vaccine, and can speak about their experiences.

As a team, they are aware that many people’s confidence and independence has been reduced and impacted due to the pandemic, so they are able to provide advice and support to help you build back confidence and independence, offering bespoke information, advice and guidance to enable everyone to find a comfortable path back to normality.

As the project develops the champions will be using feedback and comments received directly from communities to inform their outreach and resources to ensure they are relevant to your needs.

Dave Thompson MBE DL, Chief Executive of Warrington Disability Partnership, said: “Our Champions will provide advice and guidance around how people can keep themselves and others safe as restrictions ease and life starts to return to normal. We will also work to do as much myth-busting as possible by providing factual information to ensure people know the facts about the vaccine and how it will benefit their health.

“The Champions will form a vital link with people who may have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and the feedback they provide will be used to develop ways of supporting those in greatest need.”