South, J

Woodward, J

English

Leeds Beckett Repository

Public Health People Power  Many public health programmes use the knowledge, skills and resources of volunteers to help improve the health of their communities. Their contribution is highly valued but, until recently, the diversity of their roles and how best they can be supported has not been thoroughly examined.  The People in Public Health research project, conducted by Leeds Metropolitan University, sought to address this knowledge gap. It investigated what roles lay people had in public health programmes, how they were recruited, trained and supported and identified factors affecting the development and sustainability of programmes. This article presents some key findings but more information is available at www.leedsmet.ac.uk/piph  What roles do public health volunteers have? Programmes tackling the public health priorities outlined in Choosing Health (Department of Health, 2004) were studied. These aimed to:  Reduce smoking  Reduce obesity and improve diet  Increase exercise  Encourage sensible drinking  Improve sexual health  Improve mental health  Lay people’s roles are extremely diverse. They might give out health information or tell people about a service. They might support people going to a health improvement activity or organise a healthy living group. See the table below.  Walking for Health is one example. This national initiative, co-ordinated by Natural England, trains volunteers to lead community walks, therefore improving people’s physical and mental health. Walk leaders’ responsibilities include sorting out routes, conducting risk assessments, taking registers and supporting walkers.  Another example is a local programme aiming to improve the sexual health of gay and bisexual men. A testing and vaccination service is provided in gay scene city centre venues. Volunteers support paid workers and sessional nurses by promoting the service on the gay scene, encouraging individuals to be screened and administering samples. They provide potential service users with information, answer questions on sexual health and signpost people to other services if appropriate.  Roles Examples of activities Providing health information and simple advice Talking to people in clubs and bars about sexual health screening and suggesting going for a test Raising awareness of health issues Distributing information to older neighbours on keeping warm in winter Improving skills Running cook and eat sessions with parents and grandparents Providing peer support Befriending new recruits to a green gym Promoting access to services or signposting Using cultural and language skills to help women from minority ethnic groups get the right help in pregnancy and childbirth Facilitating community groups Running a breastfeeding support group Supporting professional services Welcoming and offering personal support to people attending a stop smoking clinic Organising and leading community-based activities Leading health walks and exercise sessions    Why use volunteers in public health programmes? The benefits of involving members of the public in public health programmes are manifold. It undoubtedly increases service capacity - but it also offers something unique. Lay workers can act as a “bridge” connecting communities to services.  They can reach those who may be socially excluded or who face particular barriers to accessing services. They can also influence the planning and delivery of services by feeding back information from the community.  Lay workers help improve the health of those they interact with by giving them information, supporting them taking part in activities and breaking down communication barriers.  However there are also benefits for the lay workers themselves in terms of increased confidence, health literacy, social contact, skills and employability.   How can volunteers in public health best be recruited, trained and supported? Many successful, varied approaches to involving lay people in public health programmes exist. The People in Public Health research identified four key dimensions (the intervention, the lay role, the service and the community) for consideration when designing services. The study highlights how investment is critical to build and sustain lay involvement. Systems need to be flexible and supportive - not top-heavy organisational structures imposed on grassroots activity. The infrastructure has to break down participation barriers, not erect them.   Successful programmes need to ensure that:  People are at the heart of the system. They are a vital resource and their relationship with professionals needs to be built on mutual respect.  Barriers to recruitment are minimised, particularly when working with groups that may experience social exclusion. Informal recruitment strategies often work best as they reduce fears surrounding a lack of education, bureaucracy or language and literacy worries.  A wide range of training and development opportunities are offered. People need to be able to “dip their toes in”.  Training increases confidence and enhances skills. Volunteers’ life skills and values need to be acknowledged along with the fact that people need to enjoy and benefit personally from taking part.  Adequate and accessible support is provided. “Light touch” support makes volunteers feel valued without stifling their natural abilities.  Any potential risks can be managed through training and good support systems.   Commissioning should include funding the infrastructure to support people.  How can the People in Public Health research help you? The website www.leedsmet.ac.uk/piph contains useful resources for people involved in volunteering:  The People in Public Health database contains over 220 papers on lay people involved in public health programmes. This can be searched by topic (e.g. obesity) and on whether the people are paid or volunteers.  A Research Briefing for Practice is available. This is designed as a guide for practitioners interested in involving members of the public in public health. A full copy of the research findings is also obtainable.  If you want to be kept up to date with any developments please sign up to the Register of Interest.  Background to the research The research was based on evidence collected over two years. 224 publications were reviewed, three national expert hearings held, a register of interest set up and five case studies utilised. 90 individuals involved in the subject area and 46 service users were interviewed.  The study was undertaken through a partnership between Leeds Metropolitan University, NHS Bradford and Airedale and the Regional Public Health Group, Yorkshire and Humber. Extensive public involvement work was undertaken throughout.  The report presents independent research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) Programme. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. The NIHR SDO programme is funded by the Department of Health.  Written by Jenny Woodward and Jane South of the Centre for Health Promotion Research at Leeds Metropolitan University.  

Public Health People Power

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