People living well within supportive communities is at the heart of the local Health and Social Care Partnership’s aspirations. One of its priorities is to connect people to their neighbourhoods and communities, promoting good health and self-help.

CTSI, SVE and partners have created a new volunteer role to support this aim: Community Health Champions

The Health Champions will receive training so that they can help to make a positive difference to health and wellbeing in their own family, community and workplace and will work together to develop local information resources. They will attend an accredited course by the Royal Society of Public Health run by Forth Valley College and additional training will be provided by NHS Forth Valley on various health topics.  Activities may include:

• Speaking to family and friends about health and wellbeing topics
• Signposting someone to a health and wellbeing service or support group
• Promoting health campaigns within neighbourhoods and being champions on the ground for supermarket/ library/workplace exhibitions
• Encouraging a group of friends to meet for a weekly walk rather than staying inside.
• Linking with some of the specific support groups within Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire that include people with dementia, arthritis, heart problems and Diabetes, for example.

The first group of Champions undertook training in the autumn/ winter 202 and will begin in their role over Christmas and the new year. Look out for them in newsletters and social media.

We would still like to hear from anyone who is passionate about health and well-being issues and would like to develop their knowledge and gain experience in this area.