Community champions are volunteers who live or work in Ealing and want to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people in their community.
Acting as a link between the council and their community, champions share reliable health and wellbeing information with friends and family and their community of social networks. Those who have close and trusted relationships with residents, are best placed to share this information. Community champions also signpost people to relevant support and health services. They empower people to make their own informed decisions about health and wellbeing and help stop misinformation.
Community champions also help us to understand what the health and wellbeing priorities are in local communities, by feeding back what is working well, and what improvements are needed.
Sharing information
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' model. Community champions can be creative and innovative in how they pass on information and gather the opinions of people in their communities.
Conversations can take place in spaces that are convenient to you and your contacts. This could include cafes, libraries, places of worship or people’s homes. Information can be shared through local activities such as a book club or events that you take part in such as school fairs, faith events and carnivals, or you can organise your own events.
Regular meetings
We hold regular forums every two months. A chance to meet each other and and learn from guest speakers about health and wellbeing. Community champions decide what the forums cover. Topics have included mental health, fund-raising opportunities, and support with putting together a bid. Champions also network with each other to share their ideas, link community projects or organisations, or apply for funds for a community project.
Becoming a community champion can help you
- find out more about how to live a healthy lifestyle
- develop your communication and netowrking skills
- meet and network with other people and communities in the borough
- learn how to access digital services that can help support health and wellbeing
- increase your employability with additional skills and knowledge, and access to free training
- get free training and develop your skills to benefit your communities. These have included; making every contact count, influencing behaviour change and loan shark training
- take part in projects where you can learn new skills and increase your employability
- empower yourself and your communities to make positive change in health and wellbeing
- make sure what matters to you and your communities is heard and talked about