Health Community Champions – Merton & Wandsworth
With PH Merton and PH Wandsworth we run a champions programme with the aim to address and promote healthy living and well-being by building on the skills, experience, and knowledge within the local community. Volunteers from Polish and EE communities are recruited to become Community Champions. Champions benefit from the opportunity to undertake free accredited training in topics such as Understanding Health Improvement and Mental Health First Aid, as well as the opportunity to develop skills and experience and have fun. Community Champions play a vital role in supporting and connecting local people with local healthcare services.
Health Inequalities programme – Merton & Wandsworth
With PH Merton and PH Wandsworth we run a community development activity that facilitates community dialogue with the health services and provides a channel for statutory services to hear, understand and respond adequately to thae health needs of Eastern European communities. Our pilot received recommendation and endorsement for future funding from Mark Creelman, Executive Locality Director Merton and Wandsworth, and Dr Dagmar Zeuner, Director of Public Health London Borough of Merton, to continue the engagement with Polish/EE community on health care matters, to give the communities an opportunity to voice their opinions on the areas of health care that matter to them, it also allows health care providers/facilitators to gain a deeper understanding of cultural issues and practices