Covid Champion What is Covid Champion? Covid-19, and the measures taken in response to the pandemic, continue to impact all of us in Middlesbrough. Our Covid-19 Champions Network is being established to empower and support Middlesbrough residents to stay up to date with the latest advice about Covid-19 through trusted sources, to dispel myths and avoid confusion. Covid Champions help their family, friends and the wider community make sense of the latest advice and information about Covid-19, to help ensure we all stay safe and alert to the risks of the virus. As a champion, you will receive regular updates on Covid-19 from the Council – we will use text message, WhatsApp, email and some live webinars depending on how you prefer to keep in touch with us. You can then share information across your networks, in whatever format you like, and you can contact us for clarity on any queries or concerns in your community. Becoming a Covid champion is about helping to get the right information into your community to keep yourself, your family and community safe. Our Covid Champions are a valuable asset to us all. How do I become a Covid Champion? Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Covid Champion and the process to join is easy: You sign up to be a champion by emailing us on covidchampions@middlesbrough.gov.uk, and asking for a signing up form or you can download one here. You can also sign up through our Council website. We will add you to our Network and give you the latest information about Covid-19 in your preferred way of receiving information Champions then share this information with anyone in their community, their home, their work, their family however they want. Champions encourage the use of all safety measures, ie “Hands, Face, Space” and the use of Test & Trace systems Champions will be able to ask us questions on behalf of their communities to dispel myths and get the facts Champions let us know what is and isn’t working so we can do it better. Information will be available in a variety of languages. What Training will I need to be a Covid Champion ? It is important that you are aware of the latest advice around Covid-19 and any local restrictions in Middlesbrough, so we will keep you up to date in real time as we get information through. We will also require you to complete some basic on-line learning so that you fully understand the Test & Trace system and how to Make Every Contact Count (MECC). It is important that you complete these two training courses, but they will each only take an hour or so of your time to complete online and you can raise any questions with us if you have any. It is important that you fully understand all information given to you to enable you to pass on the correct messages to your communities and we will be available to help you with that. If you have any queries regarding the role please contact us. Katrina Jackson Advanced Public Health Practitioner covidchampions@middlesbrough.gov.uk Restart Programme The Project Restart long COVID rehabilitation and prevention programme is a unique, 12-week wellbeing programme from Middlesbrough Council and South Tees Public Health. It’s specially designed for people who are still suffering the after-effects of coronavirus (COVID-19), even if it’s a long time since they had the virus. This is often known as ‘long COVID‘. These after-effects can include: chronic fatigue (extreme tiredness) breathlessness aching muscles brain fog (for example, difficulty thinking, staying focussed, or remembering things) The programme is also for people who might be at higher risk of getting coronavirus, and who might not recover as well. This includes people with: a BMI over 40 diabetes coronary heart disease limited mobility How will I be supported? On day one, you’ll be met by our specialist team. They’ll help you with any concerns you have following lockdown. If you need extra help, they can also find the right service to support you. This might include help with: employment or money addiction quitting smoking exercise and/or wellbeing LGBTQIA issues sexual health At the first face-to-face session: We’ll do a full assessment of your health, so we know where you’re starting from. We’ll let you know how to access the online materials, as well as giving coaching tips on the practical session. We’ll give you a tailored exercise programme. This can either be accessed online, or we can give you a hard copy of the session. Your assigned mentor will call you for regular support and to review your progress every week. They’ll talk to you about the best way to increase your daily activity levels, and also discuss any concerns or problems you have. Remember, physical activity does not have to mean going to the gym – there’s lots you can do at home, in the garden, or on the beach! Do I have to come in to the Live Well Centre to take part? Ideally sessions number 1, 6, and 12, as well as potentially session number 8, should be completed face-to-face. We have late-night sessions if you’re at work or have other commitments during the day. If you’re worried or you cannot attend the face-to-face sessions, you can complete the programme remotely (online), as long as you have a way of getting online. We can also teach you how to find the online content. Is this just another exercise programme? No. The exercises have been chosen with ‘long COVID’ recovery in mind. The programme includes chest-opening exercises which focus on breathing, and a range of movement to improve respiration (breathing). It also includes regular checks on your progress. Our staff are experienced at running these kind of programmes, as well as SMART goal setting. Will I have to pay? No, the sessions during the 12-week period are free of charge. You’ll also be able to take part in a range of other sessions, like tai chi, pilates, and chair-based and aerobic-based exercise sessions. Who can participate? The programme is for people recovering from coronavirus who may have ongoing ‘long COVID’ symptoms like chronic fatigue (extreme tiredness) and breathlessness. It’s also for people who are at higher risk of getting coronavirus, and who have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and a BMI of over 40. Currently, people who are classed as ‘clinically vulnerable‘ may not be able to take part in this programme. Those who are not classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ can take part. Can I refer somebody else to the programme? Yes. If you’re a social prescriber or a health professional, please choose this option on the application form. How do I get started? First, you’ll need to fill in the coronavirus-specific questionnaire and medical questionnaire (DOCX). You’ll need to get it back to us, either by: emailing the form to livewellcentre@middlesbrough.gov.uk dropping the form off at the Live Well Centre (inside Dundas Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1HR) sending the form by post to: Live Well Centre, Dundas House, Dundas Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1HR If you’re struggling with filling in the form, you can call us on 01642 727580 and ask to speak to someone from the Restart Team, who will help you to fill in the form over the phone. We’ll use the information in your form to decide whether you can take part in the programme. Once we’ve got your form, a member of the Restart Team will contact you within 5 working days to discuss what happens next. Extra resources Fitsteps Tai Chi SOSA dance fitness Val and Imran’s functional exercises Our partnerships Sensory Support Versus Arthritis Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind NDPP ‘Am I at risk of Type 2 Diabetes?’ assessment tool and resources Data protection All your information will be kept strictly confidential and we will not share it with anyone without asking your permission first. For more information about how Middlesbrough Council collects, uses, and stores your information, visit the data protection page on the Middlesbrough Council website. Dundas House, Dundas Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 1HR Accessibility Sitemap Copyright Terms of use Data protection Privacy © 2021 The Live Well Centre - All Rights Reserved Live Well Centre Opening Times: 09.00-20.00 Mon 09.00-19.00 Tues 09.00-17.00 Wed 09.00-20.00 Thurs 09.00-17.00 Fri 10.00-14.00 Sat We are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays For support or commercial enquiries Speak to a member of the team on 01642 727 590 or email us: livewellcentre@middlesbrough.gov.uk