WIGAN’S LEAP PROJECT: ‘Stepping Out’ –Senior Peer Mentor Project Implementation Carol Southern LEAP Co-ordinator, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust

Background One of four National Physical Activity Pilot sites Local Partnership: Active Living Team, Wigan Council’s Social Services Department and Age Concern Wigan Borough Wigan pilot linked to Sheltered Accommodation Strategic Fit: National Service Framework for Older People, P.A.Strategy, Community Plan, Social services objectives Links to Steps to Health, Next Steps - Activity Programmes

Recruitment/Selection Age Concern Volunteers Contacts with existing Over 50’s groups People who are active within our activity sessions Open informal meetings 1:1 with each potential volunteer

Training Approx 10 hours of training National SPM Training pack Local, accessible training Register as Age Concern Volunteer Job Description/Volunteer Policies Monitoring/Evaluation Certificates and T shirt

SPM Roles Sheltered Housing: Activity Afternoons Over 50’s events At the activity classes: Welcoming newcomers, acting as a buddy,distribute class information, taking registers, putting out equipment etc Healthwalks - backmarkers LEAP Consultation

Support for SPM’s Regular 6 weekly meetings Letters/minutes sent out Good attendance from professionals Regular telephone contact with SPM’s Training needs regularly assessed Thank you events

SPM’s in Wigan: SPM’s trained so far in the Wigan Borough 21 Volunteers currently working as SPM’s 12 SPM’s have trained up as Walking the Way to Health leaders 2 SPM’s trained as Chair based exercise leaders 2 SPM’s are training as Moving More Often tutors They have contributed over 148 hours of volunteering over the last month Very positive experience working with the SPM programme

Implementation: Lessons Learnt Most successful recruitment is from the activity classes: positive relationship with Exercise Instructor Importance of Job Description: Do’s and Don'ts On-going support and time commitment Control the mentors involvement in other volunteer activities Use existing volunteers to help recruit new volunteers Need to recruit more men!

Implementing LEAP What is the best feature of the project? What has proved most difficult? Where do we need further support and direction?