Health Champion Network
Health Champion Network – Supporting Health and Wellbeing in the Community:
There are lots of factors that can affect our health and wellbeing. This could be things that are individual to us, like our age, gender, ethnicity, or disability.
Our behaviours and lifestyle also impact our health and wellbeing, like if we smoke, how much physical activity we do, how much alcohol we drink, and our diet.
Other things that can affect our health and wellbeing include:
- Housing
- Education
- Employment
- Income
- Social Support
Sometimes, these factors can cause unequal and unfair differences in health and wellbeing. These are known as health inequalities.
It is important to support our communities who are experiencing these unfair differences. We can do this by making sure people are able to find, understand, and use health and wellbeing information, support, and services. You can do this by becoming a member of the Health Champion Network, helping our communities to be healthier and happier.
Newcastle’s Health Champion Network – Who We Are:
Newcastle’s Health Champion Network is supported by Newcastle City Council Public Health, and works across Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Network is made up of people who live, work, study, and volunteer across the City. Network members act as the heart and voice of their local area. Members can join to represent:
- themselves and their community
- an organisation, and the communities that they work with
There are different Network roles, including Health Messengers, Health Champions, and Health Advocates. Each role is varied and will be individual to you and your skills, knowledge, and abilities. To explore which role will be best fit for you, you can view the Roles and Responsibilities document here.
Network Activity – What We Do:
Network members use their networks and life experiences to help overcome unfair differences in health and wellbeing.
We can achieve this by:
- sharing health and wellbeing messages with our communities
- signposting people to health and wellbeing services
- providing information in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. This might include:
- recording a video or audio explaining the information
- discussing the topic on a local radio station or podcast
- using pictures, actions, or easy read resources to help explain the information
- get involved in events, workshops, and campaigns around different health and wellbeing topics that are important to our communities
These are a few examples of what Network members could do to support health and wellbeing in the community. There are lots of ways you can be an active Network member, so it is important to find what works best for you!
Join the Network:
If you would like to be part of the Health Champion network, please sign up using the forms below.
Sign Up to be a Health Messenger:
Please complete this Health Messenger sign up form.
Sign Up to be a Health Champion or Health Advocate:
Please create a Liberty Create account and complete the sign-up form here.
This how-to guide shows you step-by-step how to make a Liberty Create account, and access the form.
If you need help completing the form, or would like more information, contact Network’s coordinator using the contact details below.
Useful Topics
Mental health and wellbeing
Brew Monday – 17 January
Time to talk day – 1 February
Children’s Mental health week – 5 to 11 February
Boost your self esteem month – February
Self Injury awareness day – 1 March
University Mental Health awareness day – 14 March
Stress Awareness month – April
Mental Health Awareness Week – 13 to 19 May
Loneliness Awareness Week – 12 to 18 June
Talk to Us month – July
World Suicide Prevention Day – 10 September
World Mental Health Day – 10 October
National Stress Awareness Day – First Wednesday in November
You can find more information about Mental Health, support services and groups here:
Read more on InformationNOW about Mental health, Support groups, Suicide prevention, Depression, Anxiety and stress, Mental health emergency or crisis services, Mindfulness and meditation
Sexual and reproductive health
| Month | Campaign |
| January | STIQ day 14 January |
| February | National HIV testing week – 5 to 11th February
Sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week 5 to 12 February |
| May | HIV Vaccine awareness day – 18 May |
| September | Sexual Health Week 9 to 15 September |
| October | World Menopause day – 18 October |
You can find more information about sexual health, support services and groups here:
Read more on InformationNOW about Sexual health or Sexual abuse
Health conditions
You can find more information about support services and groups for health conditions here:
Read more on InformationNOW about Diabetes, Heart disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Healthy living
You can find more information about support services and groups for health conditions here:
Read more on InformationNOW about
Cost of living support
Refugee, aslyum support
Browse by category – Information Now
Winter Wellbeing (health topics)
Keeping warm and well in the winter
Help to use health services for refugees and asylum seekers
Wellbeing Hubs
Last updated: April 19, 2024
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