Do you have a passion for community based health promotion work and motivating your community to be healthier? Are you from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background? If so, then the Diabetes Community Champion volunteer role could be for you.
In 2013 we will be recruiting in Bradford, Leeds, Middlesborough,
Newcastle, Liverpool and Greater Manchester.
What is the role of a Diabetes Community Champion?
- To educate and raise awareness of diabetes and Diabetes UK to people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, including explaining what Type 2 diabetes is, who is at risk, signs and symptoms, myths and misconceptions, complications, and the NHS services that are available.
- To spread the word about diabetes in the local Black, Asian and minority ethnic community by organising awareness stands, talks and healthy living days.
- To commit to volunteering for Diabetes UK at between two and 12 events per year.
- If you are interested in applying, call us on 020 7424 1108 or email CommunityChampions@diabetes.org.uk.
Success of the Diabetes Community Champion programme
Since its launch in 2010, the Diabetes Community Champion programme has proved to be a huge success and a vital way to raise awareness of key diabetes messages in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities all over London.
We have trained and supported 160 Community Champions, raising awareness at almost 200 events.
We have also worked in partnership with voluntary and community groups in Croydon, NHS Haringey, NHS Bexley, NHS Hammersmith & Fulham, NHS Harrow and CLAHRC.
So far, it has been confirmed that in 2012 we will be working in partnership with the Department of Health, developing the Champion programme in Luton, Leicester, Birmingham, Swindon, Ilford and Slough, and also with pharmaceutical company MSD in London.
Award winning project
In December 2012 the Community Champion Project was awarded the first ever innovation award for ‘Best example of voluntary sector innovation’, from NEF: the Innovation Institute.
The project has seen great success, including the training of 280 champions who have raised awareness of diabetes at 303 events. Work was completed for the Department of Health Project across six cities in England, as well as working with the NHS in six London boroughs. The Project is now being rolled out to other areas of the UK.
Describing the judging process, Professor Sa’ad Medhat, CEO of the NEF, said: “The winners were chosen due to their clarity of intended purpose, uniqueness of approach, potential impact and whether they stimulated and galvanised others.
The winners will contribute to a culture of innovation which will help promote sustainable growth in the UK.”