Join the Community Health Ambassadors Network to help and inform your community during the pandemic and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Community Health Ambassadors Network empowers and supports Southwark residents to protect themselves and their communities.

Be in the know and pass on accurate information to help your community

We provide Ambassadors with accurate information and resources so that they can help their local communities in the fight against COVID-19. For example, we ensure Ambassadors have accurate details of current restrictions, guidelines, local testing, vaccinations in the Borough as well as specific advice for groups such as parents, students and faith groups in addition to informing people what support is available if their finances, mental health or food security has been affected by the pandemic. We have information in multiple languages and alternative formats for people with disabilities. We also help with mythbusting and verifying information, and Southwark's Public Health team are on hand to answer questions and concerns from the community. You will pass on relevant information to your networks, communities, friends and family. You can use whatever methods you think will best reach them - organising virtual meetings, phone calls, sending leaflets by email, sharing graphics and videos on social media and Whatsapp etc.

Ensure your community's voice is heard and their questions answered

If you are interested in joining, you will start by attending an Induction. In this virtual session, we give a short presentation about some of the key COVID-19 health messages and the role of an Ambassador, followed by an interactive session in small groups to hear about you and your community's experiences, questions, and concerns about COVID-19. We also want to hear what further information, resources, translations or other support you think would help. Your feedback is passed onto Southwark Council to help them more effectively respond to communities, ensure they are reaching everyone, help reduce health inequalities and improve trust. You can provide further feedback and information about the barriers and difficulties your community is facing at any time using the anonymous Community Feedback Form, as well as through the Ambassadors Whatsapp group and Network Catchups and Webinars.

Who can be an Ambassador?

Community Southwark is supporting Southwark Council to run the Network. We currently have over 100 local people signed up and actively helping their community. The Network is open to absolutely everyone living or working in Southwark and everyone's voice is important. Ambassadors include local residents, faith groups, voluntary sector workers, volunteers, medical professionals, teachers, TRAs, and Councillors. If you want to make a difference during this difficult time, then please get in touch and help us prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Why join?

• Be part of the immense impact volunteers have made in supporting each other during the pandemic
• Help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that everyone understands and can follow the guidelines
• Ensure your community's voice is heard and their questions answered
• Make sure your community has accurate and up to date information, and knows what support services are available
• Receive a range of resources such as posters, social media graphics, videos, and leaflets to help promote accurate information, including in multiple languages and alternative formats for people with disabilities
• Access to free, accredited training courses
• Attend webinars led by Public Health professionals on specific topic areas related to COVID-19
• Join the Network Whatsapp group to collaborate with others, share information and ask questions
• Be supported to make your own video so that your community can hear from those they trust
  
  

What is expected of you?

• To join the Network, you will need to attend an online Induction, which takes place on zoom (1.5hours)
• After the Induction, you can decide whether or not to join the Network. You can also leave the Network at any time.
• You can contribute as much as you like and use whatever methods you prefer to pass on information. Once a month we ask you to estimate how many messages you have sent out and what sort of methods you are using so that we can shape and improve our service
• The Whatsapp group, Community Feedback Survey, webinars and Network Catchups are all optional
  
  

Celebrating seven months of our Community Health Ambassadors Network, this video shows some of the highlights of Ambassadors out in the community and what they have achieved:

Register your interest

After getting in touch, you will receive an email asking you to pick an Induction date. If you would like to ask any further questions about the above programme, please contact Bridie at: [email protected]

Photo by Healthwatch England