Are you 60 or over and interested in health issues? Would you like to work in a professional team? Full training will be provided through adult education, working with an interpreter and health issues training facilitators. We need a range of volunteers who are flexible and friendly and would like to assist older people in providing group education sessions about health issues.

Initially volunteers will receive 2 full days ‘presentation skills’ and 2 1/2 hours ‘working with an interpreter’ training. Volunteers will receive certificates when they successfully complete these training courses and become Peer Educators. After these training courses, volunteers will also receive training on various health issues which includes:

• the importance of using medicines wisely,
• the healthy behaviours such as exercise, nutrition and oral care,
• the ways of preventing or delaying chronic conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and dementia,
• preventing falls.

Qualities required for a Volunteer Peer Educator:

• You need to be retired, semi-retired or 60 years of age or over, and are not looking for full-time employment.
• You will have an interest in health information and want to learn more about using medicines wisely; and general health awareness for older people.
• You enjoy presenting/talking to groups of older people and those from other cultures and are also a good listener.
• You may have a health / medical / teaching background which are desirable but not essential.
• No previous training or experience is required and all training will be provided.

Duties of a Volunteer Peer Educator

• Facilitating / presenting / talking to groups of older people in the community about health issues.
• Distributing health information to groups during the session.
• Attending regular training or refresher training or information sessions and meetings organised by HPSOP.
• Cooperating and working in a team with the HPSOP Coordinator, staff and other volunteers.

Speaking a language other than English is desirable but not essential. Volunteer Peer Educators must be able to speak, read and write English well as all training is in English.

Time commitment is flexible to suit the volunteer. A Peer Educator may do a talk / presentation once a week or once a month or even on a variable basis.

Benefits:

• Rewarding works
• Will receive a certificate after the training
• Receive health topics training at no cost
• Maintain their own health or own health benefit
• Active on community health benefit
• Will be reimbursed all cost incurred by this work