Mens Health Alliance Champion Training

5th January 2022

What is a Men's Health Champion?

Men's Health Champions are not health professionals but members of the public (men and women) who care about men's health and want to help improve it.

Almost anyone can train to be a Men's Health Champion. Champions are often members of a group, club, workplace, company or other organisation who watch out for their colleagues. It can be very fulfilling to see people turn their health round. 

Men's Health Champions can be particularly important for overcoming potential isolation around working from home and/or being unable to attend our usual social and leisure events.

What is the training?

Our training currently consists of 2 two hour sessions online delivered by experienced Men's Health Forum associate trainers using Zoom. For group bookings, we can also provide the training via Microsoft Teams.
What does it offer?

Health Champions are a tried and tested way to improve health in a community and can break down the barriers that often exist in health care provision. The training was developed as part of the Interreg 2 Seas Step By Step project in Hampshire by Peter Baker and Jim Pollard.
Who is the course for?

Local authorities, employers, NHS commissioners and anyone - man or woman - who individually wants to empower men to engage with their health
What are the outcomes?

You’ll learn:

the basics of men’s health;
the role of a Men's Health Champion;
how to work with men to change health behaviours;
how to work with men during the Covid-19 crisis;
how to signpost them for more information.
You’ll also have a lot of fun and get a copy of our Men's Health Champions manual, as well as our latest Man Manual, full of further information. 

Can anyone be a Men's Health Champion? 

Pretty much. Men's Health Champions are empathetic, good listeners, willing to talk about health and other difficult issues and to be supportive without being directive. You don't need to be a health expert.

Do Men's Health Champions make a difference for men?

The research suggests they can make a real difference. For men, they can be particularly useful: their more informal, man-to-man approach can provide an invaluable stepping stone between the men in their community and traditional, more formal health services. menshealthforum.org.uk