Community Health Champions

Community newsletter

vast — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:41:28 +0000

Community newsletter

This month our news round-up features

Information about a women’s health event taking place at bet365 stadium
Tips on how to stay cool and safe in the hot weather

Please download, print and share within your communities!

Back for 2026 – our Tackling Health Inequalities grants programme is open to Community Health Champions!

vast — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:48:18 +0000

Back for 2026 - our Tackling Health Inequalities grants programme is open to Community Health Champions!

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support Community Health Champions in identifying and developing projects to tackle health inequalities in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Project proposals should demonstrate how the money can be used to tackle a health inequality they have identified. 

Previous grants have funded a diverse range of projects across the city. Last year’s grant funding has been used to help women from South Asian communities to exercise and become more health aware and supported the expansion of regular exercise classes for people with lung conditions.

In addition, a local CIC who found that air pollution and bad landlords was impacting on the health of their community is finding creative ways to make improvements.

Meanwhile, another has worked with VCSE groups to make songs about health inequalities which are available for use across the city. Read about the full list of recipients here.

To be eligible to apply for funding you must: 

Be a not-for-profit organisation (registered charity, social enterprise, unregistered charity, faith group, or community group) based in or operating in Stoke-on-Trent.

Have a bank account that has two signatories who are not related nor live at the same address.

Have staff and/or volunteers registered as Community Health Champions. You can read more about being a champion here.

Represent a specific community within Stoke-on-Trent. The community does not need to be a geographical community, it can be a community of interest or a cultural or faith community.

If successful, we will be working closely with you to capture the progress of your project, and share your stories and we encourage you to share your success on your own channels. 

Bids should demonstrate: 

The health inequalities you have identified.

How this health inequality affects your community in Stoke-on-Trent.

Your ideas to address this.

A cost breakdown.

Proposals may also include research projects to help better understand a specific health inequality. 

Understanding Health Inequalities  

To support the Tackling Health Inequalities Grants Programme we are holding Health Inequalities training by Dr Mike Oliver. The workshop, taking place on the morning of Wednesday 16th September at The Dudson Centre will help you understand:  

What we mean by health inequalities.

Why it is important for the day-to-day lives of people and community groups in and around Stoke-on-Trent.

What can be done to address health inequalities.

How community groups can use knowledge about health inequalities to influence decisions that affect their lives.

Attendance at the workshop is strongly recommended and you can book here.

If successful, we will work with you to capture the progress of your project and share your story and we encourage you to use your own channels to share your work.

Before applying, please download and read the full guidance document and application criteria here.

Closing date: Friday 2nd October, 2026 at 5pm. 

If you have any questions or queries about applying, please contact us at chc@vast.org.uk 

New report highlights wait for Autism assessments

vast — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:20:05 +0000

Healthwatch report highlights wait for Autism assessments

Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent has published its latest report. It shows that children in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire are waiting almost two years for an Autism assessment.

The report follows months of talking to parents and carers about a range of issues with the NHS and school.

Known traits of Autism and ADHD are often not recognised in school and children are being punished when their needs are not met.

A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) told a parent their child needed new shoes because they were walking on tiptoes, a known indicator of Autism.

A teenager was disciplined for going to the toilet when they were told not to. When their parent asked them why they had left the classroom, they said it was because they didn’t want to wet themselves in front of their friends. Children with Autism and ADHD can experience school-related anxiety, which shows up as aches, nausea and needing to go to the toilet.

In line with national trends, the number of children being referred for an Autism assessment is increasing. Last year, 1760 children were referred to North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, compared to 416 in 2018. This demand is overwhelming a service that is under-funded.

Healthwatch are working in partnership with Steve Mitchell and Inter Theatre Company on a workshop that explores some of the issues found during their conversations. If you are interested in attending on Thursday 23 July at 1:00 pm, more details can be found on the Eventbrite booking page at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989825558811?aff=oddtdtcreator

Inclusion and Awareness training aims to reduce barriers

vast — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:28:53 +0000

Inclusion and awareness training aims to reduce barriers

Project 93 works to tackle health inequalities for transgender and gender diverse people in Stoke-on-Trent, responding to barriers reported by members of their community.

Last year the charity, based at the Dudson Centre, secured Tackling Health Inequalities grant funding to develop online transgender awareness training for staff at University Hospital North Midlands NHS Trust.

Building on this work, Project 93 are currently mid-way through a programme of in-person sessions for 300 healthcare staff which aims to cover transgender awareness, inclusive practice and signposting. They are also providing transgender inclusion packs to all who attend which include a copy of UHNM’s policy on the subject matter.

Lewie Bowyer delivers the in-person training in an environment where people are encouraged to ask questions and in which he challenges them to think through the complexities of potential scenarios.

He also gives attendees an insight into his own lived experience – and a time when he was told he couldn’t remain on a men’s ward, had to be moved into a side room and how isolated that made him feel.

The interactive sessions encourage colleagues from different parts of the hospital to work through the scenarios and consider whether they are complying with the law – The Equality Act – and to hospital policy.

Fundamental to the policy is using a person’s affirmed name and pronoun and placing patients on a ward that matches their gender identity.

Lewie says the in-person sessions are going well and complement the online training which was developed last year. He said: “We have had amazing feedback with a large majority commenting that training like this should be mandatory.”

Sophie Barber, Lead Educator for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Inclusion at UHNM, believes the sessions are important and she is keen to extend the training to all front-line staff.

The latest round of grant funding is also being used by Project 93 to support the development of new Cancer Screening resources designed to increase cervical and breast screening uptake among eligible trans patients.

Alongside this, they plan to work with NHS Autism Services to improve outcomes and to run a Transgender Wellbeing session at Combined Healthcare Trust’s Wellbeing College.

Community newsletter June

vast — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:55:05 +0000

Your Community newsletter - June 2026

New guide for people who take weight loss drugs.

vast — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:54:42 +0000

New guide for people who take weight loss drugs

A new guide has been produced for people taking medications for obesity.

The guide has been produced by the British Diatetic Association to support people who are taking the medications such as Mounjaro, Saxenda and Wegovy. It does not include advice on other medications for obesity like Orlistat.

Co-designed with people living with obesity, the guide provides practical advice on what to eat and drink, how to stay well while taking medications for obesity and managing side effects.

It also breaks down how the medications work and what people need to be aware of and keep a check on, working alongside healthcare professionals.

Dr Adrian Brown, Registered Dietitian and Chair of the BDA’s Obesity Specialist Group said, “There has been a significant gap in accessible, evidence-based information for people taking medications for obesity. With obesity being a relapsing and remitting condition, individuals taking these medications require more than a prescription to ensure they make the behavioural changes required for lasting weight loss success. This resource gives healthcare professionals including GPs and pharmacists, a trusted tool to confidently direct people to, ensuring they are well-informed.”

Registered Dietitian, Dr Laura Stewart, who led the development of the resource on behalf of the BDA’s Obesity Specialist Group said, “Our aim is to ensure that everyone who is prescribed medications for obesity can take them safely with the nutritional and lifestyle support needed to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

The guide will soon be available in Welsh, Polish, Urdu, Spanish and Arabic, as well as for people who are deaf or blind.

This resource is a publication of The British Dietetic Association (BDA) intended for information only. It is not a substitute for proper medical diagnosis or dietary advice given by a dietitian.

We are ChairFit Family

vast — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:45:29 +0000

We are ChairFit family

Ten Count Boxing Gym in Bentilee have been hosting twice weekly ChairFit exercise classes for more than two years.

Initially supported by a £500 donation and referrals from the NHS Respiratory Team, ChairFit is the only free exercise class in Bentilee and it has become a healthy option for its attendees.

With support from the Health Inequalities grant funding, trainer Paula DeMichele hopes to continue to grow the ChairFit community she refers to as “family”.

Paula said: “This initiative arose from a community need for accessible exercise and warm social spaces. ChairFit’s impact is significant as members report feeling more energetic and stronger. The class keeps people active and socially connected which reduces the burden on local healthcare services by preventing falls and GP visits.”

John, who has COPD, has been attending the classes for about 18 months. He said: “I find these classes very beneficial. Paula is a good instructor, and there’s a strong sense of camaraderie. The classes help me stay active, and I feel better because of them.”

He added: “There’s also a discipline in it but there’s no competition, we’re not letting anyone down and we’re part of the team.”

A recent ChairFit Chat invited regulars to reflect on what they get from attending the class. And because Phyllis was away on holiday in Anglesey, they gave her a video call to make sure she didn’t miss out.

Regular attendee Kieron says attending the classes has made the world of difference to him and he’d recommend it to anyone.

He said: “It’s got me from being a couch potato doing nothing to exercising an hour and a half twice a week and it’s made a massive difference – to my life, my home and my wife. I’m feeling fitter and although I’m not doing any marathons any time soon, it’s boosted my confidence by 100 per cent and improved my mental health because I don’t feel so useless.”

Regular excerciser Carole is full of giggles and says she never misses a class unless her illness means she is in hospital or unable to leave the house. And she’s inundated with offers of a lift to the classes if she is struggling.

Paula added: “Funding is crucial to keep the class free, accommodate more people and cover the costs and we’re grateful for this support.”

ChairFit takes place at Ten Count gym in Winchester Avenue, Bentilee from 10am – 11.30am every Tuesday and Friday. For more information email contact@chairfit.uk

Better Together launch group for SEND children

vast — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:20:08 +0000

Better Together launch group for SEND children

Better together Community Support Group will launch a new group to support SEND and their families at the start of June.

The group will take place every Friday during the school term between 10am and midday at their Community HQ in Trent Vale and will be open to young people aged 12 and under.

Better Together CEO Dawn O’Keefe said: “Families are at the heart of what we do, and we are excited to be supporting this new group”

The group will be led by Better Together management team member and SEND lead for the charity Becci, who said. “As the mum of a SEND child, I understand how hard it can be to find inclusive places to go.”

The group will give little ones and younger children an opportunity to explore new colours, sounds and textures through hands-on sensory activities that will help them develop their confidence and creativity.

Support for the group will be provided by placement students Leona and Leema from Keele University.

Becci added: “The new group will be a calm and welcoming space where kids and parents can relax and have fun.”

Support for the group will be provided by placement students from Leona and Leema from Keele University.

The new SEND group is part of the support for young people provided by the charity, including a parent and toddler group at the West End Centre in Stoke and a baby group at their Community HQ, both of which take place on Monday mornings.

Better Together also deliver SEND friendly sessions during the school holidays as part of the HAFF scheme in partnership with the HUBB Foundation.

The first SEND group session will be on Friday 5th June at 10:00am at the Better Together Community HQ, located at 4 Woodberry Close, Trent Vale, ST4 5LU. Booking is essential via the Facebook page.

Help shape support for families with babies

vast — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:16:55 +0000

Help shape support for families with babies

Families across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being asked to share their experience of pregnancy, birth and caring for a baby.

If you are currently pregnant or have a child under one in your family, you are asked to complete a 5-10 minute survey.

The online survey can be completed by mums, dad, nans, grandads, aunts, uncles and anyone who cares for a baby.

Every family’s journey is different and your views will help to inform what’s working well – and what can be better. This will inform how support can be improved for parents caregivers and babies locally.

The survey has been developed in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Integrated Care Board.

Please complete the survey by 15^th June.

Champion spotlight: Nicola from Rehoboth

vast — Mon, 18 May 2026 08:15:50 +0000

Nicola champions Burslem Community Project

Nicola Sambrook is a quiet inspiration. She believes her volunteering work with Rehoboth Community Project in Burslem has given her life new purpose and has helped her to stay sober.

An alcoholic for 15 years, Nicola went into detox in 2023 and Stoke Recovery Service told her about Rehoboth who were looking for volunteers.

The Rehoboth Community Project takes referrals from the council, YMCA and family support and provides clothing, household items and homeware for individuals and families in need. They also provide sleep pods/clothes and hygiene products to the homeless community.

Nicola is one of 22 volunteers who have helped make Rehoboth a force for good in Burslem and the north of the city. She said: “I started in the [charity] shops and after a time began working on the vans, dropping off furniture to people in need. Now I take referrals and am also involved in the property and garden maintenance – which is a chargeable service we offer that helps to keep the lights on.”

The project has also carried out community projects including one to provide outdoor learning space at Silverdale school and another assisting Jericho to clear weeds around St Stephens in Bentilee.

Currently Rehoboth have two charity shops in Burslem town centre – one for clothing and the other for furniture and bric-a-brac. The project also operates The Well – the former Swan pub – which is a venue for community activities and serves freshly cooked food every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and is the venue for the food pantry on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Well has recently become the venue for the first out of hours Community Lounge in the city – a place to talk and get support with all sorts of issues from housing, finances, lifestyle and loneliness. This takes place alongside the food pantry from 4pm – 6.30pm on Thursdays.

Nicola added: “I am also a National Literacy champion and a Community Health Champion. We do work with a lot of vulnerable people who don’t know what help is out there and so I need to know what other services are available to them.”

“I love working where I work and without Rehoboth I don’t think I’d be sober. A couple of times I’ve struggled but they won’t leave your side until you’re feeling better and their support has been massive.

“I believe as a volunteer that you should get something out of it, whether that’s emotional support or someone to go shopping with.”