The Altogether Better Programme is working with the Department of Health and IDeA to provoke a national on-line debate around 'Community Health Champions'. The debate will begin on the 15 June and last for 4 weeks, each week will focus on a particular aspect.
The scope and potential of building the awareness, knowledge, self esteem and social networks of individuals to become'community health champions' is being explored through voluntary activities to improve the health and well-being of their own communities.
Although the broad title being used is 'community health champions', there is recognition that there are many other titles, (e.g. educator, activator etc.) It is not the name but the common empowering approach which is key in this context.
It is hoped that evidence will be gathered on the scale and scope of activities across the country and help to develop a framework for moving to a situation where Community Health Champions are genuinely understood and valued by decision makers and integrated into the way we tackle health inequalities in this country.
- Week One: Highlighting different models including Altogether Better and Health Trainers.
- Week Two: Barriers, Challenges and opportunities we face in 'Industrialising' the Community Health Champions approach.
- Week Three: Evidence of impact and potential impact, in particular on reducing health inequalities
- Week Four: What could be done locally, regionally and nationally to integrate community health champions into the mainstream of how we reduce health inequalities.
To help to ensure this debate is useful there is a need to kick off the debate with some pre-planned contributions which could involve a commentary or adding a document/paper to the project's web site site. Community Health Champions, elected members, officers, delivery agents, strategic commissioners, policy makers and academics are being encouraged to join in the debate. Once this discussion is finished the information will be used to shape a national event in November. All contributors will receive a free invitation to this event.
This is a real one-off window of opportunity to raise the profile, understanding and support for one of the key potential contributors to unlocking the challenges around reducing health inequalities and civic participation.
If you have any queries please contact roz.davies@yorksandhumber.nhs.uk
Join the Communities of Practice by visiting www.communities.idea.gov.uk , click on 'register' and enter your details as requested. Once registered search for 'healthy communities' and apply to join the Healthy Communities CoP. If you have any difficulties in registering please contact Katrina Cottrill Katrina.cottrill@idea.gov.uk. The Community Health Champions discussion forum will start on Monday 15 June and continue to 15 July.
Download the following files for more info: