A GROUND-BREAKING initiative to dramatically improve the health of the North East Essex population has got off to a flying start.

NHS North East Essex Provider Services is at the forefront of the national Health Trainer initiative and the local team is showing the rest of the country the way ahead.

The idea behind Health Trainers is to target those people who, for any number of reasons, find it difficult to modify their lifestyles. Health Trainers will aim to support people to make healthier choices and adopt healthier lifestyles.

Sue Felgate, Health Trainer Service Lead at NHS North East Essex, said: “In the first month of operating, we have handled 133 referrals to the service – our target was 50 – and we have had more than 100 potential volunteer health champions come forward, with the first 16 about to complete their training.

“In addition, more youth health trainers are being recruited from schools in Colchester and Tendring who will be undergoing training in June.

“We are absolutely delighted with the initial response which bodes very well for the success of the initiative. Many of the people coming forward seeking our assistance have weight management or smoking issues, which is what we expected. And even in these early days we are having some promising results.

NHS North East Essex has recruited an initial team of six Health Trainers and Co-ordinators and is in the process of seeking 450 volunteer health champions working in the community by 2011.

The key target areas the Health Trainer initiative aims to tackle are:

• smoking
• low levels of physical activity
• alcohol and substance abuse
• obesity
• poor mental health and emotional well-being
• poor sexual health
• long-term conditions such as cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high blood pressure.

As well as recruiting volunteers who will work in the community, workplace champions are being sought.

Anyone interested in accessing the Health Trainers service or interested in becoming a volunteer health champion should contact 0800 7313 133 for further information.