Rural Health Trainer Service
The Health Trainer Service is a new initiative drawn from the 2004 Department of Health White Paper ‘Choosing Health; Making healthy choices easier’. Following a successful pilot study, the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust has set up the service in partnership with a number of agencies including the Rural Community Council, Age Concern IW and Probation Service.
The aim of the Health Trainer Service:
To provide easy access to health information and health services to adults over the age of 18 years and to provide individually tailored support to those who want to improve their health, well being and lifestyle. A group of sixteen new Health Trainers will provide this service, based in towns and villages across the Island.
Sam Brooks and Alice Cundall are based at the Rural Community Council and will be promoting and delivering the Health Trainer Service in the rural communities in the west of the Island. Sam will cover the southwest Wight, to include the villages of Chale, Calbourne, Brighstone, Wellow, Newbridge and the small communities in the area. Alice will cover the northwest Wight, to include the villages of Gurnard, Northwood, Porchfield, Shalfleet, Yarmouth and the small communities in the area.
The Rural Health Trainer Service will provide:
A friendly service, providing up-to-date and unbiased information on health and health services, which are available locally and Island wide. Covering a wide range of health issues such as: physical activity and exercise, caring issues, oral health, mental health, smoking cessation, alcohol use, substance misuse, sexual health, health eating /weight issues and many other aspects of health.
- A signposting service for people to obtain the health information or services they require.
- Encouragement and support to people who wish to be accompanied to the services they would like to attend. For instance, a smoking cessation group or to a fitness class or to a healthy walk
- Drop-in-centres in the Village Halls or Community Centres for example, so people can come and talk to us either on a one-to-one basis or as small groups.
- One to one meetings with individuals based on a system of self-referral to help them improve their health in positive and manageable ways. Listening and identifying needs so realistic personal goals can be set that are attainable and measurable. Support will be provided for up to six sessions to help individuals achieve these goals.
- A service that is impartial and where privacy and complete confidentiality will be observed at all times.
To find out more please contact:
Sam Brooks or Alice Cundall
Trainee Rural Health Trainers
Isle of Wight Rural Community Council