Blood Pressure Champions

What are Blood Pressure Champions?

 ·  People who act as ambassadors for blood pressure checking and have every day conversations with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours highlighting the importance of regular checking. 

 ·  Local people who have a passion to help improve health conditions for their local community in a project that aims to raise awareness of how high blood pressure is a silent killer and can lead to premature death from strokes and heart attacks. People who are well connected in their local community and want to improve local health outcomes.

 ·  There is the opportunity for some volunteers to undertake additional training in how to take blood pressures as part of a team running pop ups at  venues in the local community. They will also give lifestyle advice and direct people with a high reading to further medical help and support.

 ·  Volunteers will be given specific training and ongoing support in accordance with the role undertaken.

This project has rolling funding so there is no limit to the duration of volunteering.

What skills do I need?

Have a friendly, caring attitude

be confident starting conversations about health

Be sensitive around the subject and non-judgmental

Encourage people to take up BP checks and participate in the project

Be willing to undertake in person training to gain an understanding of high blood pressure

Some volunteers may undertake additional training to learn how to carry out blood pressure tests and sign-post people to further support

 

Training and support

Full training, appropriate to the level of participation, will be given prior to involvement in the project which will include:

What is blood pressure and why is it important to get tested

how to take blood pressure readings using a blood pressure monitor (optional)

how to record the patients’ data (optional)

how to give appropriate lifestyle advice in a caring,  sensitive and reassuring manner

on-going support from the Blood Pressure Champions Coordinator.

Support from other blood pressure champions via the WhatsApp group

 

What we ask of our champions:

·         Be open and willing to attend training.

·         Feedback their insights and experiences

·         Give as much or as little time as they can – the role is flexible.

·         Have a regular check in with your local coordinator

·         Tell others about the BP Champions volunteer role and encourage them to join us.

 

Additional information

Volunteers should be over 18 years old and be confident in engaging with diverse members of the community. A reasonable level of fitness is required and volunteers should be motivated and reliable. An interest or previous experience of health issues would be an advantage.

Travel expenses will be paid to those volunteers who are blood pressure checkers at the rate of 55p per mile up to a distance of 10 miles from your home to the location.

Location

This opportunity is available Countywide.