Volunteer Health Advocates April 2015 Peter Simonson Project Support Worker & Volunteer Health Advocate

Volunteer Health Advocates We have 11 Volunteer Health Advocates covering 8 surgeries. All advocates are compulsory trained to RSPH Level 1 Health Awareness. All advocates required to have a DBS check. Also trained in Mental Health First Aid and Community Research.

Volunteer Health Advocates Tools The main tool is a folder which include activities available in the borough. As Camden residents they also use their local knowledge. A Project Support worker based at VAC is available to research more complex enquiries and update service information.

What do Volunteer Health Advocates Do? Signpost patients to activities to improve their health and well being. Highlight community based activities and public health initiatives and other organisations. Collect knowledge from people about what they are already doing, services we may not know about and importantly they tell us what they might want to do.

All information is anonymous. Volunteers collect data showing gender, age, ethnicity, postcode and theme of referral. The statistics are gathered from referrals and surveys and passed onto VAC. The Project Support Worker builds a database from which we can draw information to pass onto the Clinical Commissioning Group. What Information is Collected and How is it Used?

“I would just like to thank you for your kind interest in my situation…In particular I would like you to extend my gratitude to M**** for the true kindness in recognising my dilemma and using every effort to find a respite situation for me” Reports from Clients

From a practice manager: “ Hi P***, Hope you're well. Many thanks for dropping off the info on cancer support groups. I will keep safely in case we have any enquiries”