Health Connect Volunteers

Are you interested in helping to promote wellbeing among NUIG students? Contact Cindy in Student Services Health Promotion.

The Health Connect initiative is a health promotion outreach programme for students and is a collaboration between the Health Promotion Service (Student Services), and the Students’ Union.  It involves student volunteers in providing non-judgmental, up to date, student-centred information about sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, nutrition, physical activity and safety. Research has shown that using trained peer educators can be the most effective way to get health information across, to enable students to achieve their academic goals and to promote lifelong wellness. 

As a Health Connect volunteer, some of the activities you can choose to engage in include:

World Contraceptive Awareness Day, Mental Health Week, Volunteer Recruitment Fair, Student Health Fair, Wellness Centre activities,  Alcohol Awareness Week, Healthy Living Week, Health Connect online, and much more. 

Whether you are interested writing articles, talking to students, or helping with event organizing and promotion, we have the opportunity for you. We hold short monthly meetings for all volunteers, and ask that you commit to participating in at least 2 events or activities. You can choose one of two options:

Health Connect Peer Educator –  Activities may include participating in outreach activities, staffing information stands, gathering information (short surveys or simple research), FLIRT FM broadcasting, conducting workshops, creating health information materials, working in the Wellness Centre, distributing sexual health packs, or any activity that involves direct contact with other students. 5 hours of training plus optional extra training opportunities.

Health Connect Crew – Activities may include such as putting up posters or other promotion activities, packing ‘WILL U?’ sexual health packs, planning events, and creating health information materials. 1 hour training plus extra training opportunities.

You will be eligible to apply for the valuable ALIVE Certificate.

For more information or to volunteer contact
Cindy Dring, NUIG Health Promotion Officer.

          E-mail: cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie

          Phone: 091 492048

          In person: Áras Ní Éimhigh, room 102

- Posted by Rab