Anyone interested in healthy lifestyle.. this is for you! MHPE Volunteer training The MHPE programme trains volunteers to provide health information to their veteran peers, to encourage better lifestyle choices. As a volunteer you might: give a talk on a health issue at an ex-service organisation meeting set up or work with a ‘Men’s Shed’ run a stand at a community expo organise and deliver Veterans’ and Men’s Health Week events distribute the MHPE Magazine and other health resources chat about health issues to a mate at a barbeque. Who can become a volunteer? Training is open to any male or female member of the veteran and ex-service community with a genuine interest in helping veterans learn about healthy lifestyle choices. Non-veterans can volunteer if they have an understanding of the unique health issues faced by current and former members of the Australian Defence Force and are actively involved with the veteran community. You may opt to volunteer one evening a week, or occasionally during events (for example, by setting up a stall at an air show and manning it for a weekend). It is up to the volunteer to determine their own time commitment. As an MHPE volunteer you will need to sign a Volunteer Agreement, agreeing to abide by the MHPE Volunteer Code of Conduct and Roles and Responsibilities. What does training involve? The MHPE volunteer training course, held over three days, equips volunteers with fundamental health knowledge, awareness, and skills to allow them to interact with their peers. MHPE volunteers also receive a Volunteer Resource manual to assist them in their role. Health topics are presented in three modules: Health promotion Illness prevention Health management Volunteer training also includes a range of skills and awareness sessions covering: working with people communication how to find resources in your community looking after your health and wellbeing stages of change. How do I apply to attend an MHPE Volunteer Training Course? To attend a training course you need to complete the MHPE Volunteer Application Form and return it to your local DVA MHPE Coordinator. D9133 - MHPE Volunteer Application Form (PDF 548 KB) The MHPE Volunteer Training Calendar for 2015 will be posted in January/February. More information about MHPE training If you would like further information, you can: talk to your local DVA MHPE Coordinator - they can put you in touch with a volunteer in your area to tell you more about the role attend a ‘Recall’ day as an observer- these are refresher days for MHPE volunteers - talk to your local coordinator to find out more become an MHPE volunteer-in-training. MHPE volunteer-in-training Being an MHPE volunteer-in-training (MVIT) gives you the opportunity to learn more about the MHPE volunteer role while providing some assistance to the programme. MVITs are mentored by an MHPE volunteer who must have active status and at least two years’ experience in the role. As an MHPE volunteer-in-training you may be asked to: help with planning and setting up health information sessions, expos, information days and events such as Veterans’ Health Week attend recall training as an observer attend MHPE network meetings as an observer distribute copies of the MHPE magazine and other health information Your MHPE volunteer mentor provides you with support by: organising your participation in MHPE activities and events supervising your participation and providing feedback inviting you to attend recall training and network meetings providing information regarding the role of MPHE volunteers What restrictions apply to the volunteer-in-training role? As an MHPE volunteer-in-training you: do not receive an MHPE Volunteer Resource or volunteer products should not discuss MHPE health topics or deliver health information sessions are not entitled to payment by DVA for travel and accommodation expenses. How do I become a volunteer-in-training? The first step in becoming an MVIT is to complete the MHPE Volunteer Application Form. If your application is accepted, you can request to become an MVIT. If you don’t have any links to the MHPE programme, the DVA MHPE Coordinator for your state or territory can help you find a mentor. Volunteer expenses DVA will arrange and pay for approved travel and accommodation expenses for participants attending MHPE volunteer training and for volunteers attending recall training (but not for MHPE volunteers-in-training). Eligible persons journeying overnight will receive a travel allowance to cover the cost of meals and incidentals. If a request to travel by private car has been approved, a motor vehicle allowance will be paid. All allowances are paid after the completion of training. Reimbursement of expenses such as parking and e-toll charges need prior approval from DVA. DVA does not cover out-of-pocket expenses for phone, travel, purchase of equipment and general administrative expenses involved in the normal day-to-day role of volunteering. DVA funding may be available to assist volunteers to run key MHPE events or services such as an expo stand. DVA may also cover volunteer travel and out-of-pocket expenses for DVA MHPE organised events. DVA funding of volunteer activities requires prior approval and will be at the discretion of the DVA MHPE State or Territory Coordinator. DVA MHPE coordinators For specific information about Men’s Health Peer Education in your state or territory, please contact the relevant DVA MHPE Coordinator. DVA MHPE Coordinators Title Location Phone number Email address QLD DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Southport/Brisbane 07 5630 0203 [email protected] WA DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Perth 08 9366 8355 [email protected] VIC DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Melbourne 03 9284 6682 [email protected] NT DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Darwin 08 8935 1415 [email protected] SA DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Adelaide 08 8290 0375 [email protected] TAS DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Hobart 03 6221 6711 [email protected] NSW & ACT DVA MHPE Coordinator DVA Sydney 02 9213 7661 [email protected] DVA MHPE Coordinators can also be contacted by by contacting DVA. If contacting by mail, please send to: MHPE State/Territory Coordinator Department Veterans Affairs GPO Box 9998 In your capital city
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 03:59:47 +0000