Become a Clean Air Champion
Air pollution is recognised by the UK Government as the largest environmental risk to health. It affects nearly every organ in the body and can contribute to long-term conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
It is also linked to dementia, low birth weight and pregnancy loss, as well as mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. In the UK, at least 48,000 people die prematurely every year due to poor air quality.
Air pollution does not affect everyone equally. People living in more deprived neighbourhoods, or already managing health conditions, often face higher exposure and greater health impacts — widening existing health inequalities.
Healthcare professionals are making a difference
Are you a healthcare professional working in Southampton?
Would you like to help your patients understand local air quality and take simple, practical steps to reduce their exposure?
The Southampton Clean Air Champion Scheme equips clinicians with training and tools to provide air quality advice during consultations – so every conversation can make a positive impact.
Training is designed to be flexible and easy to fit around clinical work, with the choice to join an online group session or complete it independently at a time that works for you.
Once trained, you’ll have access to:
- Resources for patients (digital and print)
- Email updates from the Clean Air Champions Network on the latest health and air quality information, plus local activity and opportunities.
- A supportive WhatsApp Community of local clinicians for quick questions and shared learning
- Quarterly Network meetings
- Resources to enable you to train colleagues to provide air quality advice and champion clean air in your workplace.
Over 56 local clinicians have completed Clean Air Champion training to-date, across local GP practices, pharmacies, schools, health centres and Southampton General Hospital, with a further 346 healthcare professionals briefed to incorporate air quality advice into consultations with patients.
Case Study: Local Southampton resident
Sadie has had asthma since early childhood, but in the past five years, her symptoms worsened significantly. Persistent respiratory issues and chest infections raised concerns about possible COPD. She hadn’t considered that air pollution could be affecting her health – until a recent consultation with a Clean Air Champion helped her understand the link between her symptoms and air pollution.
Her clinician took the time to explain how air quality affects lung health, and offered practical steps to reduce exposure.
The advice brought her symptoms into context. While on holiday abroad, she can often go weeks without needing her inhaler – but at home, just arriving at her office in central Southampton can trigger symptoms if she hasn’t used her inhaler that morning.
Following her consultation, she adjusted her routine to avoid walking in high-traffic areas during peak times – and has since seen a marked improvement in her symptoms.
She believes that every patient should receive this kind of advice, having experienced first-hand the significant difference it can make to a person’s health and day-to-day life.
Ready to join the Network?
Sign up using the form above. Or, contact us at cleanair@environmentcentre.com if you have any questions – we’d love to hear from you.
About the Clean Air Champions scheme
The Southampton Clean Air Champions scheme is funded by Southampton City Council Public Health funding, and delivered by the Environment Centre (tEC) alongside the Council’s Air Quality Team.
The project previously ran from September 2023 to June 2025; it was commissioned by Southampton City Council and delivered by Global Action Plan and the Environment Centre (tEC). It was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
