Health Champions
A local solution, breaking down barriers towards healthier lifestyles
What are Health Champions?
Health Champions are local people who care about the Health of their community and of those around them. They will champion health by raising awareness, signposting people to local health services or projects and providing support to those who need that little extra help.
You can find out more about the Health Trainer Project through the Derbyshire County PCT website.
What do Health Champions Do?
Each Health Champion is specific to the community they are supporting. Some Health Champions will be signposters, knowing about local services, groups and clubs and are able to point people in the right direction after discussing what they need. For some this may be to stop smoking groups, sports clubs or support groups for others where the local gym or swimming pools are. Some people may not have the ability or confidence to attend these groups/clubs alone, in these cases Health Champions could attend with them.
Around the area Health Champions are being trained as WHI walk leaders so that they can lead light walking groups, encouraging people to get active in enjoyable ways. They are also getting involved in local projects to increase healthy eating such as fruit and veg co-ops which increase access to healthy and affordable food.
Benefits to Health Champions
- You’re supported by a volunteer coordinator
- You gain a nationally recognised qualification
- Access to training opportunities (First Aid, Walk Leader etc)
- Get involved with your community
- Develop new friends and gain new skills
- Improve your own health
How to Get Involved
Every Health Champion will be different depending on what role you are doing, giving different amounts of time and volunteering in different settings. We are looking for Health Champions from across the Derbyshire Dales and particularly those already involved in Community or local groups.
Ross Burnage, who is based at the Volunteer Centre in Ashbourne, is the local coordinator for the project; he would be happy to come and meet you to discuss how to get involved.
The Derbyshire Dales Health Champion Project is run together with the High Peak Project, you can find out more about Health Champions in the High Peak by visiting the Volunteer Centre Buxton and District.