This month VCH, in partnership with Hackney CVS and City and Hackney Public Health, will be launching the new Public Health Community Champion volunteer role and Community Champion training programme. The aim of the programme is to support the reduction in the transmission of COVID-19 in City and Hackney, by communicating important public health messages to vulnerable residents, through trained volunteers and frontline staff.
The programme has been designed to maximise reach to ensure the most vulnerable residents in City and Hackney can receive life supporting advice and guidance on issues relating to COVID-19 and how to stay safe during the pandemic. Training will be delivered by VCH and Public Health on a range of topics including:
- Health and safety measures
- The availability of testing
- How to access testing
- The contact tracing system
- Accessing support if needing to self-isolate
- Effective communication
- Signposting
Initially, we are inviting City and Hackney VCS organisations to put forward volunteers and/or frontline staff members who would benefit from being equipped with this knowledge, in order for this to then be shared with service users. This may include volunteers who have been unable to carry out their previous role due to lockdown who could be re-deployed as a Community Champion, or volunteers who are still in contact and having conversations with local residents. The first training session will be taking place this August.
What: Public Health Community Champions Training
When: Wednesday 16 September, 9.15am – 12.15pm or Wednesday 30 September 9.15am – 12.15pm (please note you only need to attend one session)
Where: This session will be hosted online.
This training is FREE and places are expected to fill up fast. To register your volunteers for this training, or to find out more, please contact Charlotte or Chris on 0207 241 4443 or at [email protected]
Grants are also available for VCS organisations to give out accurate information to the local community about keeping safe during the pandemic. This includes informing people about how to get a test at home or at a testing centre, and what to do if you have a positive test.
For more information on how to apply, visit the Hackney CVS website here.