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 A new service designed to help residents improve their health and fitness has been launched in Telford and Wrekin. Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust has established the Forward Mission scheme, which aims to support and encourage people to take charge of their overall physical and mental health through the help of a 'buddy.'

Buddies are volunteers who work one to one with participants to encourage them to take part in leisure and social activities.
 
Buddies are essential to the project and anyone with two or three hours a week to spare can apply.
 
Forward Mission aims to positively impact on the lives of many people who would otherwise be entrenched in systems such as mental health or substance misuse services. Others may simply need the support and encouragement of their buddy to help tackle obesity or health related issues.
 
Project leader, Gill Christison, said: "Don't worry about the practicalities of the role as all new buddies receive full training before they start and are supported by the team here throughout.
 
"This is a people-focused project and buddies will find their experience hugely rewarding. Buddies will deal with people from all backgrounds and social situations and with a wide variety of health issues. Buddies are special people who will make this project the huge success that we anticipate."
 
An open evening for anyone interested in becoming a buddy is being held on February 4 2009 at 5.30pm at Meeting Point House. Refreshments will be available.
To book a place on the open evening, or for more information about becoming a volunteer buddy, call Gill Christison on (01952) 686342 or email gillian.christison@telfordpct.nhs.uk