Community Food and Health Champion

The University of Reading is seeking a Community Health and Food Champion to join a project called FoodSEqual-Health, which is part of a larger 5 year  project called FoodSEqual (Food Systems Equality – focused on co-designing a food systems that works for people living in disadvantaged communities). FoodSEqual-Health is conducting an intervention over 18 months that tackles some aspects underpinning dietary inequalities and how that influences health. The intervention combines an area-based voucher scheme for fresh F&V (Fresh Street) with provision of a F&V stall that runs weekly at the Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA) in Reading. In the proposed research we are testing the Fresh Street intervention, which retains citizen choice, but which overcomes barriers of affordability and access that otherwise prevent fruit and vegetable consumption. The project also promotes linkage of different agencies (local government, food retailers, NHS trusts and community organisations) with each other and with local people.  

As the Community Food and Health Champion you will play a central role in engaging the community in the Fresh Street scheme, working closely with the Whitley Community Development Association, academic and community researchers to co-develop activities and research processes which maximise engagement of local residents. 

The postholder will join our existing research team in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science and is currently appointed up to 0.8FTE until the end of December 2024. Hours can be flexible by arrangement, although there is need for some Saturday morning activities, and we are open to part time working/job sharing. 

The main responsibilities of the postholder will include: 

• Advise the project team on strategies used to promote Fresh Street vouchers and co-design local activities to support people to cook and eat more fruit and vegetables.   

• Co-design activities with the Whitley Community Development Association and local community researchers to support social connection for people involved in the scheme.   

• Work in partnership with the Public Health team at Reading Borough Council to identify key barriers to being able to make different food and health choices.   

• Help identify local residents as voluntary food and health advocates and work with them to run community engagement activities .   

• Co-design the Process Evaluation for the study and assist with getting feedback from local participants about the scheme.   

You will have : 

• Understanding of public health and research pertaining to it 

• Experience of conducting research in a community setting 

• Ability to communicate complex issues to a community audience using appropriate language and with appropriate sensitivity for working with local communities 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to adjust style depending on audience 

• A methodical approach to information organisation 

• A willingness to contribute to team working as well as an ability to work alone when necessary 

Interviews will be held: week beginning 5 August 2024 (tbc)

Informal contact details:                                          
Contact role: Community Liaison Officer                   
Contact name: Dr Trisha Bennett                              
Contact phone: 07799146615                                   
Contact email: trisha.bennett@reading.ac.uk         

Alternative informal contact details:
Contact role: Associate Professor in Human Geography
Contact name: Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans
Contact phone: +44 118 378 5293
Contact email: s.lloyd-evans@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a leading LGBT+ rights organisation. We are also a Disability Confident Level 1 employer Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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