Master Wellness Volunteer Program
Description
The UNH Extension Master Wellness Volunteer Program is an opportunity for adults to engage in learning sessions focused on creating community change for health.
First begun as part of the UNH Extension Well Connected Communities initiative, this unique program allows participants to connect with others as they build their toolbox for impacting individual and community health factors, environments, and systems. The program helps build diverse, multigenerational, cross-sector coalitions that can recognize and address systemic health inequities.
By building multiple cohorts of educated and empowered community-based volunteers, the core MWV program is a systems level intervention that seeks to increase health by operating at multiple levels of the Spectrum of Prevention: strengthening individual knowledge and skills, promoting community education, and educating providers.
Becoming a Master Wellness Volunteer
If you are interested in creating Healthy Communities in NH this program is for you!
The first part of the process is to apply, the Program Manager will review applications to ensure that candidates are aligned with the goal of the Program or to direct them to other opportunities that might be a better match. Approved candidates will be required to officially Register to the Program and complete certain requirements such as background check and reference check.
Once candidates complete all the registration requirements, they can participate in the Program. Participants will have to complete 20 hours of core training, followed by 10 -20 hours of specialized pathway training that they can choose to participate in.
After Trainings, participants will become official Master Wellness Volunteers. We ask volunteers to complete 40 hours of volunteer work per year during the first year.
Please note that this program is Free of charge and all requirements will be covered by the Program.
core trainings:
Description:
The first 20 hours of the training include a mix of classroom curriculum via Zoom, self-paced coursework, and group discussions on topics related to creating a culture of health.
Topics covered will include:
- Social determinants of health
- Disease prevention
- Health equity
- Public speaking skills
- Cultural Diversity & Inclusion
- And so much more!
For those interested in creating community change and becoming health champions, we are currently inviting adult individuals who are interested in volunteering in New Hampshire to the Spring Session 2025 of the Master Wellness Volunteer Program. Volunteers will undergo a standard background screening before admission.
specialized trainings:
After the Core training, volunteers will receive additional training on a specialized area of interest. Each pathway has a different approach, volunteers will be learning more details throughout the Core training to support their selection.
Pathways offered in 2025
Volunteers will become a Walk With Ease Instructor and lead walking programs in their New Hampshire communities. Training will include CPR certification, facilitation skills, working with limited income audiences, observation and more. For those who are interested in this pathway, learn more here.
This is a multi-faceted program that uses a unique, whole-person approach to brain fitness, providing healthy practices and lifestyle choices for individuals to help remember things better, be more organized, pay closer attention and reduce stress to reduce the risk of dementia. Each session provides a memory strategy that can be implemented in daily life. This is a 4 series workshop (each session 2 hours). Volunteers will become site facilitators in their community for the Boost Your Brain program. This does not require teaching the subject matter but facilitating each workshop with participants. For those who are interested in this pathway, learn more here.
Volunteers will learn to deliver the Mental Health First Aid course for Adults working with Youth or Adults by participating in an Instructor Training course that requires 8-hours of prework and then 3 full days of training by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. For those who are interested in this pathway, learn more here.
Volunteers will learn how to deliver:
Preschool-aged curricula: 1) Husky Reads & 2) Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. Lessons focus on nutrition, physical activity, social-emotional health, mindfulness and more. Many lessons include children’s books on related topics.
Older elementary to middle school curricula: 1) Global Gourmet & 2) Take a Break for Breakfast. Lessons focus on nutrition around the world, culinary skills, and the importance of breakfast. Lessons include helping youth prepare recipes.
Tuesdays
Apply here by January 31, 2025
Please contact Zeanny Egea at (603) 788-4961 ext. 208 or zeanny.egea@unh.edu with questions or if you require accommodations for the participation in this program.