Introduction

This chapter explores the perspectives of lay health workers and service users regarding members of the public taking on health improvement roles. There is a paucity of literature elucidating lay perspectives (Farquhar et al, 2008), particularly reporting the experiences of programme recipients. One of the primary aims of the People in Public Health study was to investigate consumer perspectives on these roles, thereby building knowledge in this area, and this chapter presents findings from interviews, expert hearings and workshops conducted as part of the study (South et al, 2009, 2010b). The chapter also draws on material from recent evaluative studies conducted by the authors, including a thematic evaluation of the role and activities of community health champions in the Altogether Better programme (White et al, 2010b) and evaluations conducted into the work of health trainers and health trainer champions (see Chapter Three; see also White et al, 2010a, 2011; White and Kinsella, 2011).

A systematic review, commissioned by Volunteering England, on the impact of volunteering on health (Casiday et al, 2008) concluded that volunteering can impact positively on many aspects of the volunteer's own health, including longevity, adoption of healthy lifestyles, ability to cope with their own ill health, family relationships, quality of life, social support and interaction, self-esteem, and sense of purpose. The review also demonstrated that volunteering can reduce stress and depression. The findings presented here support the conclusions of this review. This chapter discusses what motivates people to volunteer, what qualities and skills they need, what their volunteering may lead on to, and what barriers can prevent people from getting involved or progressing in volunteer roles. The chapter also explores the perspectives of service users on the experience of being supported by a volunteer rather than, or in addition to, a paid worker. The material is gathered from interviews, focus groups and workshops undertaken in the various studies, where the authors were privileged to listen to people who were, and are, making huge contributions to their communities. Their passion, commitment and level of engagement were inspiring and, where possible, their own words and stories have been used to bring the text alive.