CHAMPIONS in health gathered to showcase a year of success in Bolton.

Diabetes UK (DUK) brought together healthcare professionals and leading figures from within the town and Greater Manchester to highlight the impact of its community champion programme.

The event, which was held at the 3D Centre in Bella Street, shared the work of the project's first year in Bolton – which has seen more than 54 Community Champions trained by DUK – with the support of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (FT) and the University of Bolton, to improve health outcomes for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

Dr Harni Bharaj, consultant physician in diabetes at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: “I am really excited about the joint work Bolton FT and DUK are doing on the Community Champions programme.

"The work of the Community Champions has already demonstrated a positive impact on the lives of people with diabetes and their carers. The programme has enormous potential.

"We now need to unlock this potential and scale up the programme so that the whole of the Bolton population can benefit.

"I truly believe that this is the future for helping difficult to reach groups better self-manage their diabetes and helping prevent the condition for those at risk."

More than 18,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes in Bolton and members of BAME communities, which makes up 18 per cent of the town's population, can be two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

The programme, launched nationally two years, has helped people find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, recommended GP appointments where necessary, and raised awareness of the risk factors of the condition.

It has also supported people who are already diagnosed with diabetes to better self-manage.

Sarbori Basu, from Bolton, has been trained through the programme.

She said: "As a trained champion I have been involved in roadshows and various events involving the Asian elderly community.

"I am passionate about promoting health and wellbeing through lifestyle changes.

"Language is at the heart of raising awareness. Since I speak the language which they understand, they interact with me in a relaxed and non-hesitant manner. It gives them the opportunity to learn about other people’s experiences and this develops a sense of belonging within the community."

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Roger Hayes and Dr Richard Preece, executive lead for quality with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership attended last week's event.

Cllr Hayes added: "The community champions in Bolton are doing vital work raising awareness of diabetes in the local community.

"I have had my risk of Type 2 diabetes checked. It is easy and quick to get done. I would urge everybody who thinks they might be at risk to do the same."

DUK is now seeking to expand on its work in Bolton in the next 12 months and is appealing for more people to volunteer to train as Community Champions. To find out more visit www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer/community-champions.