• 19 November 2024

The Role of an Everyday Active Champion

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I have been working in health-related exercise for 25 years. I love my job as no two days are the same and I really enjoy seeing people build in strength both mentally and physically. I want everyone, regardless of wealth or health, to be able to find an activity that they can enjoy for life.

I have often thought how useful it would be if all activity opportunities were in one ‘easy to access’ place. So, when I came across Everyday Active, I really wanted to be a part of it. Finding activities shouldn’t be harder work than the actual activity! I was looking on the Everyday Active website and wondered why there was no Champion in my local area. When I found out that it was just because no one had volunteered, I thought, well why not me? So, I applied and here I am!

My area is Sittingbourne and the surrounding villages. My job is to look out for local activity opportunities and add them to the Sittingbourne community page. I also promote the website whenever and wherever I can, so more people know where to look for activities. I also get to go along to local events and connect with the other Champions and the Active Kent & Medway team. I like that the role is so flexible, and I can spend anywhere from as little as one hour per week, to a whole day at an event. I can choose what I do and when I do it, which is great.

If you like meeting people and are passionate about your community, you will love being an Everyday Active Champion. I was a little nervous at first as I wasn’t sure I would be able to manage the volunteer role. But once I got started, I was able to relax and enjoy the work as I get to chat to lots of people, which I really enjoy.

I love helping people to get active and meeting lots of activity providers. It’s a bit like being a matchmaker. You also get a rather grand title (but no super-hero costume!). Being an Everyday Active Champion is a great opportunity to do something that really makes a difference. You get loads of help and support from a fantastic team at Active Kent & Medway. And doing something like this could look really great on your CV too, if you’re looking to get back into work or chasing a promotion.

If you’d like to become an Everyday Active Champion and support your local community to become more active, you can get in touch with Yasmin Hosken, Everyday Active Officer at Active Kent & Medway, via email: yasmin.hosken@kent.gov.uk