The course is facilitated by returned trainers and office staff, which gives you the opportunity to get to know those who will be supporting you during your placement and to learn form their own experiences as Action Health trainers. Trainers on the same course are also encouraged, wherever possible, to support each other overseas and many people form lasting friendships.

In-country Support
The Programme Manager will try to arrange a hand-over period between you and the last trainers at your project to ensure continuity within the project and help you get settled. On a day-to-day basis you will be line-managed by the nominated person from the Partner Organisation.

While in placement you will be responsible for writing monthly reports to Action Health to keep us and our Partner up-to-date with your work and to enable you to review what you are doing. Our Programme Manager will respond to these reports. In addition you will have a Project Correspondent, usually the trainer who has just returned from your placement, who will receive copies of your reports and keep in contact with you to offer support and advice. We also encourage trainers to visit other trainers working in the same country and you will be provided with addresses before you leave. Particular emphasis is placed on bringing your colleagues together so that you can both share experiences and learn new skills from each other. This develops a wider circle of support and networks for both you and your colleagues and this has been felt to be of enormous value by all who have shared the experience.

"One of the unusual aspects of development work is that you are always hoping someone else will put you out of a job. Nothing was more rewarding than finding local staff keen to take on our mantle. And, as we took a step back to support them from the wings, we felt the project was taking a big step forward." Pete Allen, General Practitioner, Pemba Island, Tanzania.