Recruitment is underway for the next series of Community Connector training sessions. The following information has been provided by the organisers:

What are Community Connectors?    

Community Connectors are people, who link others in their local community with activities and organisations that can help improve their quality of life.    Project Smith provides the Community Connector training and support to give people the skills needed to be able to talk to other people about wellbeing, the things that they can do for themselves, and places to go to access help and support doing this.  

Linking people up with wellbeing and health services, local community groups and organisations, social groups and activities can have a positive impact on their life.  Some of the people who have done the Community Connector training are volunteers with local community organisations, others are not part of any formal group or organisation and are busy helping out their neighbours and friends in many different ways.

What does the training involve?

You will need to attend all four days training, so please take this into consideration in terms of your availability when you submit your application.  

The training sessions are from 9.30am – 3pm, at West Norwood fire station, 210 Knight's Hill, West Norwood, London SE27 0QA. Lunch and refreshments are provided..

The training is very interactive, and we ask you to tell us if there is anything we need to know about you that may impact on your ability to take part and sit the assessment that gets you the course qualification. 

Date	Contents
29 January and  5 February	Day 1and 2 explains more about the programme, how you could be a Community Connector and what services are available.
6 February	Days 3 will cover wellbeing, health and behaviour change.  At the end of day three you will be given the opportunity to gain a qualification: Level 2 in Supporting Behaviour Change, from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH).
11 February	Day 4 the final day is about putting things into practice and fitting being a Community Connector into your life.

What happens after the training?

At the end of the training you will be invited to attend the next Community Connector ‘safari. The ‘safari’ is what we call the Community Connectors monthly catch up meeting.  Each month they meet at a different location in the borough that is connected with health or wellbeing that they would like to find out more about.

Each safari lasts about four hours, it is chance to hear from the hosts of the safari, ask questions, get support and guidance from other Connectors to solve issues that you may have come across since the training and using the skills you learnt in your volunteering or community activities. 

The programme is designed to enable both people who are already be involved in structured volunteering in the borough and those who are not to take part. 

Want to find out more?

To find out more about Project Smith and the Community Connectors please contact: Emma Corker Interim Project Manager emma@rbeassociates.com or telephone 07734 670 300.

How do I apply? 

The application form is here.