Our Stories
Community Health Champions are a diverse network of individuals and organisations who share a common goal: to improve health and wellbeing in their community.
Discover a few of the many inspiring stories from our champions and see how they piece together to make Stoke-on-Trent a happier, healthier city.
Simply select a jigsaw piece below to learn about the incredible difference the Community Health Champions are making in our city.
Crossways Pilates Sessions
Inspired by messaging around the link between poor mental health and lack of exercise, Crossways Residents Association wanted to get the community of Sneyd Green moving. To do so, they subsidised a freelance Pilates instructor in providing sessions at a local community centre. This allowed the community to access Pilates classes on their doorstep. This benefitted, for example, a busy working mum, who found the groups convenient as she could access them between shifts as a nurse and caring for the family at home.
Cobridge CIC Cuppa and Chat Sessions
Using information provided by the Community Health Champions project, Cobridge CIC developed their ‘Cuppa and Chat’ sessions. These sessions intended to help those in the local community who were feeling anxious and isolated, or those that had lost confidence as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Activities included chatting about housing, utility bills and budgets, as well as arts and crafts and cooking sessions. Cuppa and Chat sessions have enabled people to discuss problems and issues and come together to have fun, create and share life together.Middleport Matters
By being Community Health Champions, Middleport Matters have been able to share accurate and current health information with their local community. A community which is classed as having high levels of deprivation, and a low healthy life expectancy. One of the biggest impacts they have had is through debunking myths around the Covid-19 vaccination, providing reassurance and transportation for those who needed it. They have also supported an older resident to attend her routine mammogram and provided a family who wanted to improve their fitness with personal equipment and healthy cookbooks.
Fegg Hayes Futures Community Hubb
Recognising a lack of health facilities in the immediate area, Fegg Hayes Futures wanted to make sure their community, who often largely rely on public transport, could access vital health services. They hosted a session with the Lung Health Check Service, which resulted in a number of people accessing the service who ordinarily would not be able to. One person in particular who was previously quite averse to attending doctors' appointments felt reassured to participate, due to it being in a familiar space. They also held a vaccination clinic which made it much easier for people to access their Covid-19 booster.
Beth Johnson Foundation Intergenerational Event
As part of Global Intergenerational Week 2023, The Beth Johnson Foundation hosted a storytelling session. This session brought together primary school children, members of the 50+ community and local writer Alan Barrett. A dozen children attended and engaged in discussion with BJF members about their lives and memories. Once the school children had been given time to capture these memories, they worked with Alan to shape them into a story. The session was a great success which got different generations talking about their lives, asking questions and being creative. Those who attended "loved sharing memories and listening to the children’s responses”.
Stand
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic STAND (now the Stoke on Trent Disability Bulletin) were contacted by housebound community members who had not received their vaccinations, despite being in the most vulnerable categories. Through discussion with local government and health representatives it was arranged for nurses to provide at-home vaccinations. More recently, they were alerted to obstacles in the community which had been causing accidents. This included overgrown tree roots and buckled pavements which created dangerous conditions for people with mobility and sight problems. Once again, they worked in partnership to alleviate this and ensure safety for all.
Stoke City Community Trust
Community Health Champion and Volunteer-Coordinator for Stoke City Community Trust, Nicole Mellor works within the community trust's ‘Kicks’ project to increase the number of high school students participating in sports. As volunteer co-ordinator, Nicole also shares important health and wellbeing messages across the community. Through engaging with young people, visiting schools and utilising volunteers they encourage healthy living from a young age and the increase of physical activity through sports, with the overall aim to decrease antisocial behaviour.
The New Vic Theatre Friendship Cafes
Following the Covid-19 lockdowns, the New Vic Theatre opened its doors to people in need of companionship and support through a weekly ‘Open House’ friendship café, where people could meet and enjoy free refreshments. These mostly attracted older people in need of a safe social space to reconnect with their community and discuss health concerns. The friendship and support offered has had long lasting effects, and people who met at the groups have continued to meet and share advice on issues such as dementia and mental health.
The New Vic Theatre Friendship Cafes
Following the Covid-19 lockdowns, the New Vic Theatre opened its doors to people in need of companionship and support through a weekly ‘Open House’ friendship café, where people could meet and enjoy free refreshments. These mostly attracted older people in need of a safe social space to reconnect with their community and discuss health concerns. The friendship and support offered has had long lasting effects, and people who met at the groups have continued to meet and share advice on issues such as dementia and mental health.