Community Champions

We are delighted to announce that they will be working with Public Health England to deliver the pilot Community Champions Programme across the country over the next two years.

Seven volunteer Community Champions have now been recruited to run ‘HOOP Groups’ which will provide peer-to-peer support for obese members of the community. They can offer ‘expert by experience’ knowledge, creating a two way dialogue between obese members of the community and health professionals and organisations in their locality.

The aims of HOOP (UK) are to support those who struggle with obesity whilst they address their weight issues, to help break down the stigma surrounding obesity and to be the voice of the obese person. These aims will be reflected throughout the programme.

Public Health England will be working closely with the delivery team as they pilot this unique project and it will be fully evaluated. The project aims to create a sustainable way forward for the groups to continue after two years as well as create a transferable toolkit to use in other areas.

The project will cover being more active and healthy eating with a significant focus on the emotional well-being of group members. As a result support mechanisms such as new friendships will develop.

Below is a list of groups which are currently running.