A Day in the Life of a Community Health Officer

People often ask me what a typical day looks like as a Community Health Officer at LDCVS. 

The honest answer? There isn’t one. 

Every day is different, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about the role. One minute I’m responding to emails, the next I’m helping someone access support, attending a community event or discovering a brilliant local group I’ve never come across before. 

Yesterday was a pretty good example. 

I started the day working from home, making my way through the many and varied emails that arrive in my inbox each morning. Some needed quick responses, others needed a bit more thought, and a few led to conversations that would shape the rest of my day. 

One of those was a phone call from a local community organisation. They were supporting someone who needed help accessing Adult Social Care and were looking for some guidance. Because of the work I’ve been doing to strengthen links with Adult Social Care colleagues, they knew who to call. 

The best part was being able to help there and then. A quick conversation, a few connections made, and things started moving in the right direction. It’s easy to think that partnership working is all about meetings and networking, but moments like this are where you really see the value. The relationships we build across organisations make it easier for people to get the support they need when they need it. 

Later in the afternoon, I headed over to Lancaster University’s Health Innovation Campus for a screening of A Basket Full of Eggs. 

The film explores Romani heritage through the story of Minty Smith and shines a light on the important contribution Romani communities have made to England’s folk music traditions. It was thought-provoking, moving and gave me plenty to think about. 

Afterwards, there was a panel discussion and Q&A focusing on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller lives, lived experience, representation and community knowledge. I always enjoy opportunities to hear directly from people with different experiences and perspectives, and I came away having learned a lot. It was also lovely to catch up with a few familiar faces from across the Lancaster District VCFSE sector. One of the nicest things about this work is the chance to keep building those relationships and learning from one another. 

Then, in the evening, I swapped the lecture theatre for the Victoria Institute in Caton and headed along to visit Sidequest. 

I’d heard good things about the group and wanted to see for myself what they were all about. 

What I found was something really special. 

Just six months after starting, Sidequest is already regularly bringing together 20-30 people through board games, Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons. People of different ages, backgrounds and experiences all spending time together, having fun and forming connections. 

The room was buzzing. There was laughter, friendly competition, storytelling and plenty of conversation. You could immediately see the sense of belonging the group has created. 

As someone who spends a lot of time talking about community connections, it was wonderful to see them happening right in front of me. 

I left feeling genuinely uplifted and very pleased that Sidequest will now be part of the LDCVS Community Directory, making it easier for others to discover what they offer. 

Looking back on the day, it’s funny how disconnected it all sounds on paper. 

A phone call about Adult Social Care. 

A film screening and panel discussion. 

An evening spent watching people play tabletop games. 

But for me, they were all part of the same story. 

They were all about people finding support, sharing experiences, building relationships and creating a sense of belonging. 

That’s what community health looks like. 

It’s not always found in obvious places. Sometimes it’s a conversation over the phone. Sometimes it’s listening to a lived experience panel. Sometimes it’s a group of people gathered around a table rolling dice and making new friends. 

And that’s exactly why I never get bored of this job. 

Is your group on our directory? 

One of my favourite parts of working at LDCVS is discovering the incredible groups, activities and organisations that are making a difference across our district every day. 

If you’re running a community group, charity, social activity, support service or grassroots organisation, we’d love to hear from you. By joining the LDCVS Community Directory, you’ll make it easier for residents, professionals and social prescribers to find out about the support, activities and opportunities you provide. 

You never know who might be looking for exactly what you offer. 

If you’re not already listed, get in touch with us. We’d love to help more people discover your group.