Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme

The Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme aimed to support the mobilisation of cross-sector action in localities across England to tackle childhood obesity. The five Trailblazer projects were in Birmingham, Bradford, Lewisham, Nottinghamshire, and Pennine Lancashire.


The Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme (COTP) sought innovative action to tackle childhood obesity at a local level. The programme was funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by the Local Government Association with support from Public Health England. 

The Childhood Obesity Trailblazer Programme aimed to:

  • test the limits of existing powers through innovative and determined action to tackle childhood obesity
  • share learning and best practice to encourage wider local action
  • develop solutions to local obstacles and consider further actions government can take to enable ambitious local action and achieve change at scale.

Over three years, the five trailblazer authorities developed, delivered, reviewed and expanded their ambitious plans to tackle childhood obesity. Each trailblazer authority received £100,000 worth of funding and project support each year to progress their project.

Support included:

  • Government expert support – to help find solutions to local challenges and consider implications for future policy development
  • subject matter expertise – to provide relevant commercial/technical expertise and constructive challenge
  • delivery support – to support Trailblazer Authorities to further explore, develop and deliver their plans
  • evaluation support - to provide advice to Trailblazer Authorities on their local evaluation plans to ensure that the impact of the Trailblazer activities are measured.

The programme was funded by the Department and Health and Social Care and administered by the Local Government Association. Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) also provided expert support and advice.

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