Health Champions

What is a Health Champion?

Health champions come from many different walks of life; there is no set standard of education, or specific background required to be a health champion. Although a general interest in people’s health; and what influences it would be advantageous, as would good communication skills. Health champions undertake their role whilst going about their normal daily routine; interacting with people on an opportunistic basis, signposting and referring them to other services should this be required. Therefore people who work in a public facing role; are ideally suited to this opportunity, although there are multiple benefits, for those not in this type of role.

Case Study:

Julie (not real name) has worked in her local shop for 3 years; she knows her regular customers well, and speaks to them regularly when they call in for groceries. Many of her customers tell her about their concerns around health matters; with comments such as “I wish I could quit smoking”, and “I’d like to eat more healthily” being a common conversation. Julie wanted to be able to help her customers with more then a sympathetic ear, and spoke to her boss about this opportunity. Her boss was supportive of the idea; and gave Julie time off work, to attend the training. Now that Julie is trained to be a health champion; she is able to signpost her customers, to various services. This enables them to get the support they need, to make the lifestyle changes that they want to make.

How you can be a Health Champion?

Please register your interest in attending an upcoming training course by contacting the HT service on 0845 450 6712