North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has teamed up with players from Bristol Rovers Football Club as part of a collaboration with Bristol Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) to encourage local people to get their flu vaccination.
The collaborative video - filmed at the football club’s official training ground ‘The Quarters’ with support from BRCT - aims to raise awareness of the importance of flu vaccination, particularly for those at higher risk of serious illness. The video can be viewed on YouTube.
In November 2025, NBT and BRCT launched a collaboration aiming to:
- Promote physical activity, mental health awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices, for example through free health checks for members of the local community.
- Deliver community-based health education programmes, such as visiting local schools together to teach pupils about health and wellbeing.
- Provide access to local resources, for example by NBT attending local events at the football ground.
- Co-create campaigns and events that are inclusive, engaging, and measurable in their impact.
In the video, Bristol Rovers players Promise Omochere and Luke Southwood encourage people to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated. The message reinforces NHS guidance that flu vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent serious illness.
Maria Kane, Chief Executive of Bristol NHS Group which NBT is part of together with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are extremely grateful to Bristol Rovers Community Trust and players from Bristol Rovers Football Club for supporting this important campaign. Football has a unique ability to reach people, and this collaboration helps us deliver a message that can make a difference.”
Dr Samir Patel, Hospital Medical Director at NBT, said:
“Thank you to Bristol Rovers players Promise Omochere and Luke Southwood for featuring in the video and the club and community trust for their huge support. It’s vital that people take up the vaccine to protect themselves, their friends, family and people around them. In the Winter months, vaccine uptakes help to reduce pressure on local health services.”
Adam Tutton, Bristol Rovers Community Trust CEO, said:
“When we initially began discussions with North Bristol NHS Trust about working together to improve the health of our community, we knew player appearances would be crucial to the reach and impact of the campaign. At Bristol Rovers Community Trust, we want to facilitate as much positive change as possible - and our players do too. We were very grateful to Luke and Promise for getting involved and encouraging fans to get their flu vaccination during the winter period.”
NBT encourages everyone eligible for the flu vaccine to book their appointment as soon as possible. You can check if you are eligible on the national NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/
If you are eligible, you can walk-in to the Vaccination Hub in the Brunel Atrium at Southmead Hospital between 8.30am-3.30pm. Alternatively, you can book elsewhere at https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/