Sussex health instructor event shows the need for joined up working

Health practitioners and fitness instructors gathered for the inaugural Sussex Health Instructor Network event.

The event, held at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday, June 13, saw 35 people attend and listen to how improving relationships between health professionals and instructors will help more Sussex residents with health conditions improve their health through exercise.

Ross Joannides, a Strategic Relationship Manager from Active Sussex, said: “It was great to see so many great partners at the  launch of the Sussex Health Instructor Network.

“To be able to bring together so many roles including instructors with a focus on delivering activity, colleagues with a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing and those health professionals with a clinical background was fantastic.

“It felt very much like the start of a network that has all the knowledge, skills and expertise to operate in a system that addresses health inequalities and supports communities to overcome barriers and achieve better health outcomes.

“The energy and passion in the room was evident and the collective discussion that brought the day to a close demonstrated how much work there is to do and how important the Sussex Health Instructor Network will be in supporting that work.”

Opening the event was the British physician Sir Muir Grey, who is one of the world’s foremost experts on ageing and is working on transforming health care.

In his opening speech Sir Grey described exercise as ‘the miracle cure’, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

Other speakers included Annie Holden, the Strategic Health Lead & Live Longer Better Project Manager for the Active Partnership Network, and Ross Joannides who spoke about the risk consensus statement.

Next up was Stuart Ramsbottom from NHS Sussex and Anna Card, a health improvement specialist from East Sussex County Council, followed by Nora Mzaoui, a focussed care practitioner from Wellsbourne CIC (East Brighton) and health and wellbeing coach Chelsey Powderhill.

To round off the event there was a panel discussion with Nora and Chelsey alongside health and wellbeing coach Alison Warner from Crawley; Dr Laura Maythan, a GP and PCN Co-Clinical Director in Shoreham and Southwick; and Jas Gray, a GP Link Work and Exercise Referral Specialist.

During the next year, the network will have opportunities to access themed webinars and more face-to-face networking events, as well as receiving regular updates with the latest campaigns, resources, funding and training opportunities.

Nick Chellel, the workforce officer for Active Sussex, said: “The Sussex Health Instructor Network will provide better development opportunities and support to instructors that are part of the exercise referral pathway and/or working with participants with long-term health conditions.

“There will be opportunities for professionals to make connections and to collaborate locally with health partners to improve the pathways for people with long-term health conditions.

“The strength of the network is in the shared passion and desire to improve the wellbeing and outcomes of people living with long-term health conditions, helping to reduce health inequalities and achieve improved health outcomes.”

For Sussex health care professionals/partners that are working across the Sussex health system, that would be interested in supporting or getting involved in the network, please contact Nick Chellel by emailing nchellel@activesussex.org