A campaign to encourage local people to wise up and help others get healthy is being launched in North Liverpool. The project aims to create a network of so-called “health champions” to spread the word to their families, friends and neighbours.
The volunteers will be given basic training in health awareness and asked what they think the local issues are and how they could be dealt with. The health champions will be expected to give a few hours of their time a week to talk to others about how to improve their health and where to go to get help. They, in turn, will get free training and support, the opportunity to gain new skills and experience and a voice in future planning projects in Anfield.
The campaign is being headed up by the health and social care charity PSS that ran a similar scheme to promote learning in the community.
“Some people feel more comfortable talking about their health with a neighbour than a professional," said Michelle Corrigan, PSS Project Worker. “They might feel embarrassed or unwilling to go into a surgery if they don’t see themselves as unwell. Sometimes people respond better to a word from someone they know, if they need to lose weight, give up smoking or cut down on alcohol.
“We’re also hoping the local champions will give others the confidence to seek help from the doctor if they need it and find out what other help is out there.”
The Health Champions project will be launched at 12 noon on Tuesday 26 July at the ABCC centre in Richmond Park, off Breck Road in Anfield. There will be information on the project, an opportunity to sign up and a free lunch for all those who come along. Families are welcome.
For more information, contact Jackie Rand on 07914 862278.