As Covid-19 cases remain high in Somerset, there is a renewed call for people to step forward and become Covid Community Champions.

The network has been going from strength to strength since it was launched in October last year. There are now well over 100 trained ‘champions’ across Somerset, sharing messages about Covid-19 and how to stay healthy, happy and safe with their friends, family and work colleagues.

The Covid Community Champions scheme is funded by the county council and delivered by a partnership between Spark Somerset and the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP).

After attending a short online induction, Covid Community Champions can help their workplace, family, friends and the wider community to understand the latest guidance around Covid-19 and signpost them to other health and wellbeing support.

Covid Community Champions can attend regular meetings which will allow them to get to know each other, keep up to date with the latest information, and feed back about how things are going where they live and work. They will also receive weekly emails with the latest information.

Professor Trudi Grant, Somerset Director of Public Health, said: “Somerset has seen a significant rise in Covid cases in recent weeks.

“With the added challenges of winter and the shortage of social care staff, it is important we all take steps to try and reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“Covid Community Champions have already done a lot of good work in helping raise awareness on how to limit the spread of the virus and have an important role to play as we head into the winter months.”

Cllr Clare Paul, county council cabinet member for public health, said: “As people head back into their work settings, it would be fantastic if we could recruit more Covid Community Champions to represent their workplaces and help keep their colleagues up-to-date with the latest information and guidance.”

Helen Fielden, Covid Champion co-ordinator at Spark, said: “The existing champions have done such a great job of helping to keep their communities happy and healthy over the past year. I’m really proud to have been a part of their work.

“Anyone is welcome to join the team, as long as they are caring and able to share information from the regular updates. It doesn’t matter whether they share with two or 200 people; every bit helps”

Jane Knowles, SASP Chief Executive, said: “Anyone within the community sports club sector who wishes to keep their clubs and members really well informed would be really welcome to join.”

To find out more, email [email protected] or call 07535 800944.