Chapter 7
Liverpool’s thriving communities – people, prevention, and wellbeing
Building community engagement, prevention, and empowering individuals to make healthier choices.
The Neighbourhoods Model
Liverpool has introduced the Neighbourhood Model to tackle inequalities and improve services for residents. It tailors support to the unique needs of our 13 neighbourhoods, focusing on understanding local challenges, empowering communities, and fostering collaboration. This approach ensures more effective, integrated solutions through universal proportionalism.
The Public Health team has played a key role in developing and rolling out the model. We use data and insights to identify disparities and work with partners to advocate for prevention and early intervention. By creating targeted, data-driven solutions, we ensure a fairer and more equitable approach to reducing inequalities.
With children at the heart of Liverpool’s future, addressing these challenges is essential.
Community champions
In 2024, Liverpool John Moores University reviewed the Community Champions model. They found it was a good way to connect with diverse communities. Community Champions are trusted by the people they support. They speak up for their communities.
The review gave useful advice. This helped create a new tiered Community Champion model. The aim is to support local groups and volunteers. This will improve health and reduce inequalities. The model makes sure underserved communities are heard. It also uses their experiences to guide actions.
In September, ten local groups got funding for three years. Community Champions now work closely with Public Health. They lead and guide their communities. They also help local groups grow stronger.
Community Champions share health messages. These messages are simple and fit with different cultures. Phase two will build on Liverpool’s community model. It will focus on community leadership. Public Health and Champions will work together to tackle unfair health differences.
Councillor Harry Doyle and Community Champions supporting within the community
24 Magic Months
Promotional logo for 24 Magic Months
The first 1001 days of a child’s life shape everything—who they are, how they learn, and whether they’ll thrive. In Liverpool, one in three children isn’t ready for school by age four. This means they can’t hold a pencil, focus, or listen properly, and many never catch up. Children living in poverty are hit hardest, making it even more difficult to succeed.
The 24 Magic Months campaign helps parents give their babies the best start in life. It focuses on the first two years, showing how small actions, like talking or singing to a baby, make a big difference. The campaign includes:
- An app with tailored tips, videos, and milestones to track progress.
- Flashcards, reading books, and fun activities for parents to do with their child.
- Rewards to celebrate milestones and share achievements online.
To reach families, the campaign used social media ads, events, and partnerships with health workers and Children’s Centres. Over 8,000 activity packs were shared, and notifications in the app keep parents engaged and motivated.
The results speak for themselves. In 2022, more than 2,900 parents joined, completing over 5,000 milestones. Development rates in Liverpool improved, especially in areas with the greatest need. Thanks to 24 Magic Months, more children are ready for school and ready to succeed.
Jade’s story – 24 Magic Months
The mobile app is great. It’s really helpful to have all the information I need to support my baby’s development in one place, instead of searching around the internet and getting conflicting information. I have learned so much about my baby’s development that I previously didn’t know, and I feel really reassured that I can access the latest information about a variety of topics whenever I want.
The milestones feature of the app has really helped me and my baby. Any parent worries about how their child is developing, but with milestones I can keep track of how they’re doing and it provides reassurance that not all babies develop in the same way, so it doesn’t add to my worries if my baby is developing in a slightly different way. I know lots of parents will compare their own baby’s development to their friends’, but I think that 24 Magic Months is a much better way.
I like that the information from 24 Magic Months is local to me in Liverpool and is from the Council and local NHS, so I know it’s trustworthy. When you search online, you don’t know where it’s coming from sometimes and who is saying it, I don’t have that problem with 24 Magic Months.
The playing cards from 24 Magic Months are fantastic. I use them all the time and they’re really good quality, which is important if you’re going to be using them with your little one. I think it’s also great that the Council has been giving them out to parents for free. Not all parents have the spare money to buy something like this to help with development, so it’s good that they’re not being left out.
By using 24 Magic Months, I am happier, I have a much better idea of my baby’s development and I also don’t spend as much time asking my health visitor or midwives lots of questions that I’m sure they get all the time. It’s a time saver and gives me peace of mind.
I would like to say a massive thank you to the team behind for making something like this, it’s been so useful and you’ve done a great job!
