Cost
The programme costs £80 per person.
Delivered by public health specialists, the programme combines public health theory with practical examples from Leeds and gives you the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from a range of organisations and sectors.
The programme supports Leeds' ambition to create healthier, happier communities and reduce health inequalities.
Course format
The programme is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, and each session aligns with the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF) - GOV.UK
You'll attend:
- seven monthly half-day sessions and,
- one final reflective masterclass and celebration event
Sessions take place from 9:30am to 1pm at:
Public Health Resource Centre
Technorth
9 Harrogate Road
Leeds LS7 3NB
The final masterclass takes place in the Banqueting Hall at Leeds Civic Hall.
There are no formal exams. To complete the programme, you'll present your learning at the final masterclass.
What you'll learn
By taking part, you will:
- understand key public health concepts and how public health has developed over time
- increase your understanding of health inequalities and how to reduce them
- learn the importance of partnership working across organisations and sectors
- build confidence in finding, understanding and using data
- explore how community development approaches, and Health Needs Assessments and Assets improve health and wellbeing in communities
- understand behaviour change principles and models can support health improvement
- learn about monitoring and evaluation methods and how to use them to improve your work
- develop your personal effectiveness, have time to reflective and learn about tools to help manage your time
- explore current public health issues affecting Leeds communities
- find out about support available through the Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC)
What to expect
Sessions are interactive, practical and delivered at an introductory level. You'll have opportunities to:
- learn from experienced public health specialists and hear about examples of local public health work
- discuss ideas with people from different sectors
- reflect on your own practice
- share experiences and build new networks
- apply learning to your role and organisation
What participants say
- “It has inspired me to change the way I work within my scope of practice and has given me the skills to achieve this.”
- "Life-changing programme."
- “A great opportunity to meet new people and build new partnerships. Made me think more and apply new ways of working to certain projects so that they work more effectively.”
Who can apply?
The programme is open to anyone working or volunteering in Leeds whose role contributes to improving health and wellbeing. One of the strengths of the programme, is the range of participants from different backgrounds and sectors.
Places are limited to 20 participants per cohort to support discussion and interactive learning. The programme can also provide a stepping stone to further public health study.
Programme sessions
Session 1: Public health: Past, present and future
Explore the history of public health, health inequalities, public health policy and how public health is organised in Leeds including Leeds as a Marmot City.
“Really interesting, nice group of participants information delivered in an interesting way and well put together”
Session 2: Partnership working and partnerships
Learn why partnership working is essential to improving population health and explore examples of effective partnerships across Leeds. Reflect on your role and opportunities to strengthen partnership working.
Hear about how the Public Health Resource Centre can support you in your role.
“100% of participants from the last cohort said they could see how they could apply the learning from this session to their role”
Session 3: Understanding information and interpreting data
Build confidence in finding, understanding and using health information, data and evidence.
Learn about epidemiology and how it helps explain patterns of ill health and heath conditions.
“Clear understanding of data very well explained”
Session 4: Working with communities
Learn about community development approaches and their importance in improving health and wellbeing.
Consider health needs assessments and assets as a tool to provide insight into local communities to inform public health interventions.
“Great tangible examples. Very engaging presenters”
Session 5: How to effect change
Explore behaviour change theories, including COM-B, Nudge, EAST and Making Every Contact Count (MECC), and how they can be applied in practice.
Consider the impact of the commercial determinants of health, health literacy and digital exclusion on health behaviour.
“I enjoyed the ‘groupwork’ and ‘practical tips to facilitate change and persuasion’ the most”
Session 6: Introduction to monitoring and evaluation
Understand the difference between monitoring and evaluation and learn how to measure and improve the impact of your work.
Learn about a Theory of Change Model and how this can inform your priorities and practice.
“I learnt ‘differences between evaluations and monitoring’. I thought it was all one!”
Session 7: Increasing personal effectiveness
Using Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, reflect on your professional practice and learn practical tools to improve effectiveness, prioritisation and work-life balance.
“I learnt that there are other practical ways of working effectively. I will be applying the pomodoro method”
Masterclass
Share your learning, celebrate achievements and demonstrate how you have applied the programme in your role.
Hear about other participants learning and receive your certificate.
Attendance requirements
To receive a Royal Society for Public Health certificate of attendance, you must attend:
- at least six of the seven taught sessions
- the final masterclass
2026 to 2027 programme dates
| Dates | Session |
|---|---|
| 7 October 2026 | Public Health: past, present and future |
| 11 November 2026 | Partnership working |
| 9 December 2026 | Understanding information and interpreting data |
| 20 January 2027 | Working with communities |
| 24 February 2027 | How to effect change |
| 24 March 2027 | Introduction to monitoring and evaluation |
| 21 April 2027 | Increasing personal effectiveness |
| 26 May 2027 | Masterclass - A reflection and celebration of learning |
How to apply
To request an expression of interest form or find out more, email phforall@leeds.gov.uk
Send your completed expression of interest form by 10 July 2026.
Places are limited and applications may close early if the programme is oversubscribed. If a place is not available, or you prefer an online option, you may wish to consider the Yorkshire and Humber Foundation Programme in Public Health for North East and Yorkshire and Humber Organisations , which covers similar topics through online learning.
