Birmingham City Council has launched a Community Champion network which will ensure that the correct covid-19 guidance and advice is being shared throughout the city.
The network will be made up of volunteers across the city, named Covid-19 Community champions, who will help residents to stay up to date with how to protect themselves and others against the virus.
The council will keep champions informed on the latest advice and guidance through regular messages that they can then use to help family, friends and other community members stay up to date.
Champions will also be able to share issues and ideas with the council, so everyone can listen and adjust to help make sure that guidance is correctly adhered to.
Dr. Justin Varney, Director of Public Health for Birmingham City Council, said “The covid-19 Community champion network is all about ensuring the correct information is reaching everyone in our diverse communities within the city and everyone is playing their part to stay safe and keep each other safe.
“Nothing compares to hearing information from family, friends and trusted people within your community and this network will look to support trusted individuals to disrupt the fake news being spread as well as making sure everyone knows what they need to do to in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.”
Councillor Paulette Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said “Throughout this pandemic, we’ve seen plenty of false information spread on platforms such as social media about covid-19 and the guidance surrounding it.
“We hope that by receiving trustworthy and clear information regularly through our network of approved champions, Birmingham residents will be able to make more informed choices to ensure the safety of the public and their city as a whole.”
Anyone can become a Champion, if they can be dependable, have good social skills, and possess the ability to give and receive feedback to others. To sign up to become a COVID-19 champion, please visit https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50231/coronavirus_covid-19/2256/covid-19_champions/3https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50231/coronavirus_covid-19/2256/covid-19_champions/3