Oxford Community Champion Volunteer Role Description
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NO LONGER ACTIVELY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS. APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. Below is information explaining what we were looking for and the roles of our Champions.
Programme:
The Oxford Community Champions Programme is primarily aimed at increasing outreach, engagement and communication with Oxford residents disproportionately impacted by inequality, as well as developing solutions which address the barriers these communities face.
Funded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (formerly MHCLG), the programme aims to understand the barriers communities have in accessing the COVID-19 vaccine. Our local programme will look at better understanding the underlying reasons and work with communities to co-produce practical solutions to best meet their needs.
Role Description:
The role of a Community Champion is;
- Becoming the point of contact within your community (family, friends, neighbourhood, place of worship, community organisation, etc.), acting as a bridge between Oxford City Council, local organisations and the community
- Helping implement effective and sustainable community-led solutions to barriers experienced by the community, particularly in areas where the greatest impact can be made
- Engaging and investing in people to build and strengthen good health and wellbeing for your local community
- Helping develop local communications and provide feedback on messages and tools created by Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health team
- Providing information about how best to access the COVID-19 vaccination
- In a safe manner, give positive messages to local residents to help them make informed choices about the vaccine, including disseminating updated Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health guidance
- Building the confidence, knowledge, skills and capacity of local people
- Sharing learnings with other Community Champions
- Reporting back to the programme team regularly and clearly, highlighting any insight, barriers or concerns that communities may have for resolution
- Attending regular meetings to keep up to date with the latest information and guidance
- Supporting relevant surveys, research, focus groups and discussions. Attending events to share information and take part in promotional activities
What is not included in the role:
It is not the role of a Community Champion to:
- Write to MPs to express concerns or elicit information
- Call GP practices or hospitals to ask questions about aspects of the vaccination programme
- Make enquiries to GP practices on behalf of specific patients
- Defend the NHS position with regards to the vaccination programme
- Provide medical advice to residents
- Act as a health expert or enforce taking the vaccine, the role is about engagement and support
Good Practice:
- Safeguarding is a priority. Never put yourself or others in any situation that might compromise you or anyone else
- Do not give or ask any personal information of anyone, either yourself or anyone else
- The role is about giving advice and support. It is not about enforcement
Location:
Various locations around Oxford city.
Training:
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Community Champion as Oxford City Council will provide Induction Traiing and Making Every Contact Count training in addition to any other relevant persnal development trainings.
Incentives:
- You will have access to a series of optional free training sessions on a regular basis including Health, First Aid, Interview Skills, and CV Writing Skills
- You will also have access to a number of personal development training courses, and you can select one Oxford City Council funded training course with a value of up to £200 per champion
- You will be part of a city-wide network of Community Champions that can help one another
DBS check required?
A DBS check is not required for this role.
Support:
Please contact the Community Champions Team at communitychampions@oxford.gov.uk if you have questions, or have any ideas of information that would be useful.
Please note, whilst we welcome and value you volunteering as a Community Champion, this does not constitute as a contract of employment or provide eligibility for recruitment positions.
