As our world continues to develop the importance of health, mental health and wellbeing is at the forefront. Communities and the individuals within them now face a multitude of challenges, from economic pressures to environmental changes, the need for resilience becomes ever more pressing.  

Having trained health and wellbeing champions within key roles in organisations is paramount to helping in supporting individuals and building resilience within a community. 

Understanding Community Resilience 

Community resilience refers to the ability of a community to withstand and recover from adverse situations, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or public health crises.  

It also plays a role in day to day life when helping people to overcome personal challenges such as illness, bereavement, job loss, or other unexpected changes. Community resilience involves the collective strength and adaptability of individuals working together to overcome challenges. 

The Importance of Community Health and Wellbeing Champions 

A Community Health and Wellbeing Champion or worker is a role that can be found in different organisations including local government, the NHS, schools, and in voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. 

The role of Community Health and Wellbeing Champions is to improve the health of local people and communities by preventing poor health and tackling inequalities. Their purpose is to work in partnership with individuals and their communities to identify and address health and wellbeing needs, improve health, prevent ill-health and reduce inequalities. 

Community Health and Wellbeing Champions can help to identify areas in need of support within the community, help to plan resources and ways to resolve the issues, and support individuals in times of need. By doing so Community Health and Wellbeing Champions can help strengthen community resilience and allow them to be better prepared for crisis.  

Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeships 

LMP Education offers three pathways for those who are looking to work as Health and Wellbeing Champions. The pathways are: 

School Staff & Community Wellbeing Champion 

This programme is aimed for those who are working or are looking to work within schools. This pathway focuses on creating a supportive environment in line with the DfE educational wellbeing charter. 

Learn more about the School Staff & Community Wellbeing Champion programme 

Community Health Champion 

This new pathway supports those who are interested in working within local authorities and other community-based organisations. This programme enables the Community Health Champion to use an evidence-based approach alongside partnership organisations to create a health & wellbeing focused culture within the organisation and community. 

Learn more about the Community Health Champion programme 

NHS Community Health Champion 

Similarly to the Community Health Champion programme learners on the NHS focused pathway work in partnership with individuals and their communities to identify and address health and wellbeing needs, improve health, prevent ill-health and reduce inequalities. This programme however specifically targets those who work within the medical sector and within the NHS. 

Learn more about the NHS Community Health Champion programme 

Having a designated resource within community spaces that helps individuals and organisations tackle causes of ill-health and wellbeing needs allows the community to be better prepared for challenges and foster a resilient community.  

Are you interested in recruiting a Health and Wellbeing Champion or upskill a member of your team? Book a discovery call with the LMP Team! 

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