Leeds Power of Communities Report – Supporting Health and Care in Neighbourhoods

Volition, lead partner in Forum Central have commissioned a report, reflecting on the Leeds Power of Communities programme of work one year after the majority of project elements have been completed. Reflections on the programme are constructed within the context of the 10 year health plan for England and the emergent Neighbourhood Health model. The report provides a strong narrative, demonstrating the vital role that the Third Sector and Third Sector Infrastructure has in making Neighbourhood Health a reality. 

The West Yorkshire Power of Communities (PoC) is a programme facilitated by the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is designed to help embed the Third Sector in all areas of health and care in the region, through work which promotes inclusion of and investment in the third sector within the West Yorkshire & Harrogate district.Forum Central’s role as place lead has brought partners together around a shared aim: create a system where Third Sector organisations can contribute to West Yorkshire priorties on an equal footing. The West Yorkshire PoC team were successful in diverting £1m of funding to work with the third sector in each of the five places in West Yorkshire, with Leeds receiving £309,000

The core aim of the grant programme was to support the Third Sector with an emphasis on tackling health inequalities and building capacity of the Third Sector sector across West Yorkshire.

Using the Leeds fund, Volition and infrastructure partners delivered a broad range of projects  including tailored development support, coaching programmes, peer support, improved digital tools and more coordinated advocacy. These projects have not only delivered practical outcomes but have generated insights into what helps organisations grow, what gets in their way, and what partnership working feels like when it is done well.

Across the programme there was a commitment to focus has been placed on grassroots groups, culturally diverse communities and areas experiencing the greatest inequality. By investing in local leadership, organisational development, volunteering pathways and representation, PoC has helped build a stronger network of people and organisations who can influence change.

 Reflecting on the work, several themes we were clear:

1. Strengthen and Build on Existing Relationships

• Leverage trusted partnerships formed through Power of Communities and
  other local work.
• Recognise and utilise the deep local knowledge of the Third Sector—they
  know their communities best.
• Promote joined-up, coordinated planning and delivery through the
  investment in connective infrastructure which builds community power

2. Centre Equity and Inclusion

• Ensure Communities of Interest shape delivery and implementation plans.
• Embed allyship, compassion, and a focus on people with no recourse to
  public funds.
• Acknowledge the safeguarding role grassroots groups play in reaching
  vulnerable individuals.

3. Address Systemic Barriers

• Ensure sustainability through fair funding, capacity building, and
  protecting existing community infrastructure.
• Tackle issues like cost of living, which undermines community presence.
• Strengthen volunteering structures and mutual support at a
  neighbourhood level.

4. Improve Communication and Visibility

• Better articulate the scale and impact of the Third Sector—internally and
  externally.
• Share learning more widely, especially with frontline and Anchor-funded
  organisations.

5. Embed Flexibility and Agility in Funding

• Use an agile approach to prevention funding, focusing on areas and groups
  with the greatest need.
• Invest in inclusive communication and data systems to support long-term
  monitoring in line with mutually agreed objectives.

6. Leadership and Influence

• Promote shared leadership between Third Sector and statutory sectors,
  ensuring sustainable involvement of the Third Sector at all levels.
• Use this learning to influence national health strategies, not just local
  plans.

The Leeds PoC programme has shown that when the Third Sector can be supported to lead, partner and innovate, the whole system becomes more resilient. It has also made clear that community organisations bring insight and value that statutory partners cannot replace. The programme strengthens the scaffolding around that work — helping organisations collaborate, advocate and deliver with greater confidence.

You can explore the full findings, examples and learning in the final report below.

Read the full Power of Communities Final Report here