Learn more about how people in Torbay take control of their health with the help of coaching - part of the Local Account Summary.
Our innovative volunteer, peer-led Health Connect Coaching programme that is helping people in Torbay to take control of their health won a prestigious parliamentary award this year.
Health Connect Coaching was designed by patients and our staff and matches people who may be struggling to manage their health and wellbeing with a trained peer coach who has experience of the same condition or challenges they face.
People with a long-term condition such as diabetes, asthma, rheumatology, and chronic pain can refer themselves to receive tailored one-to-one support during the six-month programme. With the help of a coach, they are encouraged to make simple but long-lasting changes to their life such as taking gentle exercise or changes to their diet and signposted to services and support. It’s designed to encourage, support and empower people to build their knowledge, skills and confidence in a way that matters most to them, reduce their dependency on medical interventions and live well to manage their condition.
The team won the South West volunteer award category in the 2023 Parliamentary Awards, following a nomination by the Torbay MP Kevin Foster and Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall.
You can learn more about our award-winning programme in this report by BBC Spotlight. Thank you to BBC Spotlight for allowing us to share its coverage of our Health Connect Coaching programme with you.