Healthy Church Initiative (HCI)
What is the HCI?
The HEALTHY CHURCH INITIATIVE is especially designed for the Black African Caribbean Church Community where we know there are comparatively higher numbers of people living with and at the risk of chronic avoidable illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and some cancers.
Ethos
As an institution, the Black church has a long and rich history as the centre of spiritual, social, and political life for many Black people. The church often reaches the black community more effectively than some government led programmes. Church leaders often carry much influence and are trusted more than external authorities.
Leaders: We run events especially for church leaders which help to realise the influence they carry in steering healthy decisions of their congregations.
Health Champions: We support churches in training church-based champions. Training is evidence based, culturally relevant (‘for us by us’) and uses Biblical principles.
Transformation: The 6-week programme takes congregations on a transformational journey. Our team of registered health professionals advise and deliver practical sessions. We take body measurements pre and post 6 weeks. Handbook and resources are easy to use and informative.
Serve the community: A healthy church is an asset to the community! Working alongside your local council and public health, you can influence health statistics and be part of the solution to chronic ill health in the Black community and your borough at large. We will help you to achieve this over a 12-24 month period.
