Public opportunity to meet new health trainers

Members of the public will have the chance to meet their new local NHS health trainers at a series of local launches.

A special health trainers bus will be touring the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale areas during the next week. Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak to health trainers directly for help and guidance on a range of issues including support and advice on how to become more active, eat more healthily or stop smoking.

The tour bus is scheduled to appear at the following locations and will be open to members of the public from 9.30am-4.30pm in Rochdale and Heywood and 9.30am-3.00pm in Middleton.

• Tuesday 11 December: Sports Hall, Starkey Street, Heywood
• Wednesday 12 December: Middleton Gardens
• Thursday 13 December: Rochdale Town Hall

Angela Aitken, Health Trainers Programme Manager, said: “This is a chance for members of the public to meet their local health trainers and find out how they can work together to achieve their health goals.

“The health trainers have been recruited from local communities and their main role is to signpost people to appropriate services and to give them the support they need to access those services.”

The trainers, dressed in health trainer t-shirts, will be handing out goody bags and information and running health activities.

It is hoped that the launch will enable health trainers to reach people who have a high probability of future medical problems and want to adopt healthier lifestyles, but have little contact with services at the moment.

Ms Aitken adds: “Health trainers will be on hand to discuss their roles and are ready and willing to listen, offer advice and provide a friendly and confidential service for all local people. They will also be able to answer questions and provide information on how they can be contacted.”