We were delighted to recently welcome colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to Selby, who came to learn more about the Selby Town Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Project – an innovative initiative making a real difference in our local communities.
Affectionately dubbed “Bringing Brazil to Selby”, the project is inspired by Brazil’s proactive, household-based health model. Since its launch in early 2024, it’s been led by Selby Town Primary Care Network (PCN) and Up for Yorkshire, with support from NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The purpose of the visit was to find out more about the work of Integrated Care Systems and to showcase the benefits of integration at a local level. Selby’s model offered a valuable opportunity to explore how integrated, community-driven solutions can inform national thinking on prevention, personalisation and the future of health and wellbeing.
So, what is it all about?
- It’s local: Community Health and Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) are assigned to specific micro-areas, where they regularly visit households to offer tailored health and wellbeing support.
- It’s personal: Workers focus on building relationships and trust – supporting people with everything from access to health services and community activities to issues like housing, heating and loneliness.
- It’s about what matters: Whether it’s helping a child access asthma care or supporting an older adult with mobility challenges, the approach is holistic, proactive and driven by what residents say they need.
The DHSC team had the chance to meet some of our CHWWs, hear powerful household stories, and join a panel discussion with local partners. They were particularly interested in how this model is tackling health inequalities head-on – especially in areas like Selby West Ward, which includes one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
Early wins include:
- Over 60% household engagement rate
- Monthly themed coffee mornings and community events
- Strong links to schools, public health, and local support networks
- Real-life improvements for individuals and families
Colleagues from DHSC heard about some of the household success stories of this project, including Carole’s Story.
Carole is 73 years old and lives alone in the Flaxley Road area of Selby. She is widowed, has three children and over sixteen grandchildren. Like many older adults, Carole is managing multiple long-term health conditions, including Stage 4 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), arthritis, and persistent pain. She relies on mobility aids to move around her home, and her physical symptoms are compounded by poor sleep, anxiety, and increasingly complex self-care needs.
Carole was first contacted by Amy, a Community Health and Wellbeing Worker, and through a consistent, friendly presence and practical support, a relationship of trust was built.
One of Carole’s main concerns was the cost of energy. Amy connected her with an “energy doctor” who helped her switch to a cheaper tariff, and arranged for a remote-control device to be fitted so she could adjust her heating without having to climb up and down the stairs — a change that made a real difference to her safety and comfort, especially given her respiratory condition.
Amy also supported Carole with practical medical issues, such as helping her access better-fitting compression stockings that caused less discomfort, and offering regular advice and reminders to help her manage her health more confidently.
Carole shared her thoughts on this relationship, saying:
“I really feel that I’ve bonded well with Amy. She’s gone above and beyond helping me and I feel really comfortable talking to her about anything and everything. We have a bit of a laugh some days, but she understands my needs and has really helped with them.”
Carole’s story illustrates the core strength of the CHWW model, starting with trust, listening without agenda, and working side-by-side with individuals to address the full picture of their health and wellbeing. Her experience is just one of many demonstrating how personal, place-based support can create lasting impact.
This project shows what’s possible when we work together across health, care, and community sectors. It’s local, it’s inclusive, and it’s already showing signs of long-term impact.
To find out more, visit www.selbytownprimarycarenetwork.co.uk or www.upforyorkshire.org.uk.