Volunteering is an excellent way for people to get involved in their community. It provides people with an opportunity to make new friends, whilst learning new skills to help them get into further training, education or employment. Maria Freeman, Community Health Champion is a valued member of the Wellbeing for Life team and has been volunteering with the service for a year now. Maria supports Health Trainer Sarah Howells who says “Maria is a great asset to our team with quality characteristics, a public health degree and will soon be a qualified teacher. She supports us with many aspects of service delivery; in fitness classes, running groups, arts and crafts, practical cooking sessions as well as promotional events.
Maria is a proactive member of two “Eat Wise Drop a Size” groups and helps with the weigh ins and delivers nutritional information talks. I am thrilled she has reached her goal of gaining paid employment, but even more so that she has agreed to continue volunteering.” Maria says “Volunteering for Wellbeing for Life has given me confidence, new skills and qualifications which has helped me find employment. I will soon be starting paid work teaching in Low Newton Prison, which I am extremely excited about. Wellbeing for Life have invested in my personal development and I will continue to volunteer for the service as I strongly believe in it. Plus the best thing about it is that I feel part of a team, which is as important to me as being part of a family or friends.”
The Wellbeing for Life service works with people to address the factors which influence their health and build their capacity to be independent, resilient and maintain good health for themselves and those around them. Wellbeing for Life currently has 363 active volunteers of which 94 are trained Community Health Champions and they support the team of staff who work with groups and individuals in County Durham supporting them to take those difficult first steps to a better quality of life. The wellbeing approach goes beyond looking at a single issue and instead aims to take a whole-person and community approach to improving health. The service hopes to create sustainable groups and activities in local communities across County Durham and volunteers are essential in making this happen. For more about volunteering for Wellbeing for Life contact freephone 0800 8766887 or visit www.wellbeingforlife.net Facebook: @CountyDurham WellbeingForLifeService, Twitter @WBFL_Durham
