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Graduates take health learning to the community
16th July 2009
People living in communities across Sheffield are becoming more aware of their health and local services thanks to a new course offered by NHS Sheffield.
80 participants will graduate from the Introduction to Community Development and Health (ICHD) course this Monday (20/07/2009). The course shows people how to make small changes to improve their own health and the health of their families and teaches them about local services, whilst giving them the confidence to seek them out and to use them.
The people, who have completed the course, can now take their skills and use them to interact better with their wider community, start voluntary work or gain paid employment.
Elaine Goddard, Community Development and Health Programme Manager for NHS Sheffield, said:
“This event is to congratulate all the pupils on their achievement and to give them a sense of celebration so they will go on and develop their new found skills within their communities.
“The course has a proven track record of empowerment - building skills and confidence, and it enables learners to move on into further learning, voluntary work or accessing employment.
“The repercussions for the neighbourhoods involved are huge. In particular, course graduates become positive role models in the area as they not only learn about improving their own health but that of their family, friends and the community where they live, work or volunteer.”
A graduation ceremony will take place at Sheffield City Hall at 9:30 am on Monday 20th July 2009.
Over 750 students have now completed the fifteen week course, which is accredited through the Open College Network and supported by NHS Sheffield, Sheffield City Council and the Big Lottery Altogether Better Fund.
The course, which has been running for 12 years, is a key part of NHS Sheffield’s Healthier Communities programme and has empowered people to improve their health and become advocates for health in their own area.
Sadie is a graduate of the ICDH course, she said:
“Since the ICDH course I have done two more courses with the Open College Network in computing and the internet and in advocacy. I will carry on and do more. The course has given me a kind of trust and more confidence.”
Rachel has also successfully completed the course, she said:
“For 14 weeks I did one day a week on the course and really loved it, I then got a part time job, joined some community groups and did more training. The job of Community Health Development Worker came up - I applied and got the job - I was amazed!
For more information on the Introduction to Community Development and Health (ICDH) course and details on how to enrol on the course contact Janie Vendiero at NHS Sheffield 0114 305 1407 or email janie.vendeiro@nhs.net.
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