Support from next door rather than advice from on high - that is the aim of a new wave of NHS workers hitting the streets of Bradford.

Twenty-one health trainers have been recruited to take people on a journey to better health.

They will work from venues across Bradford and Airedale to support and encourage people to lead healthier lives.

They will offer one-to-one guidance and support on losing weight, stopping smoking, reducing stress, getting fit or just getting out of the house and making friends.

The new health trainers have been made possible thanks to a £200,000 award from the Department of Health to allow Bradford to be the first area in the country to trial the scheme, which aims to break down health inequalities.

Health trainer co-ordinator Alison McGregor said: "Health trainers will help people to see the obstacles that get in the way to making healthy changes.

"They will work with the person to produce a personal health action plan and it is about them being on a journey together.

"They will meet on a weekly basis for up to six weeks and at each of the sessions they will review the programme and work through any obstacles.

"It is not about telling people what to do, which is why it is so different to other services on offer. They can spend up to one hour a week with someone."

The health trainers are of all ages, ethnicity, race and gender.

Mrs McGregor said all had undergone a training programme. "They are not health professionals but they have their own expertise," she said.

Janet Welsh, 58, who works for the HALE project in Shipley, will provide support there. She said: "I can feel that I am doing something to improve people's health. I will be there for people who want to make a health change."

Rukhsana Ali, 35, of Lidget Green, will be working in Horton Grange and hopes to help people who do not have English as a first language to access health and community services.

"I will be able to help people with language and help women get out of the house more, which is the first step to giving them more confidence," she said.

John Tiffany, 60, of Odsal, had worked in health-related activities all his life before taking early retirement.

He said he was looking forward to using his knowledge to continue working part-time as a health trainer.

The service is free and people can refer themselves.

For more information or to make an appointment call the health trainer helpline on (01274) 223926 or e-mail: healthtrainers@bradford.nhs.uk.