9:30am Saturday 19th August 2006
By Nione Meakin
Health 'trainers' have started dishing out tips in three of Oxford's most deprived estates on giving up smoking, getting fit and living more healthily.
Five people have been appointed to the part-time advisory roles as part of a £45,000 year-long pilot by Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust.
Based in leisure, community and children's centres, they offer one-to-one advice sessions on a range of health issues.
While unable to give medical treatment, they will help people set targets for themselves and refer them to other services if necessary.
The move, part of a national public health drive, has been targeted at the three estates as they have been shown to have the highest need for local health advice.
Samantha Curran and Michelle Thomas are the two new advisers at the Surestart family centre in The Oval, Rose Hill.
Ms Curran, who has nine years' experience in mental health, hopes to act as a role model.
She said: "There are all sorts of problems which people might not want to bother a doctor about, such as smoking and being overweight."
Ms Thomas, who has worked as a personal fitness trainer, said: "We will offer a new type of service and if this contributes to helping keep people out of hospital in the long run, so much the better."
Anne Thompson and Glen Murray are the two new advisers at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.
Ms Thompson, who has several years' experience as a health care assistant at the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals, said: "I hope clients will feel they can easily approach me."
Rosemary Aldgate will be based at Barton Neighbourhood Centre and hopes to build on her own experience of community health initiatives, including setting up a walking group in her area.
Senior health manager Jackie Wilderspin welcomed the initiative and said: "I think we've got a very good team and I'm looking forward to the service providing the help and support that people need."
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk