Introduction
The Community Health Initiative (CHI) was founded to create a network of accredited and recommended healing services for communities across the British Isles. This leading-edge project brings together the knowledge, expertise and remedies needed for us to heal ourselves, protect our natural repair systems and maintain a healthy lifestyle in harmony with Nature.
Practitioner Accreditation
The CHI provides a new opportunity to assess and verify the quality of natural health provision as an independent service using an assessment and monitoring system recognised by City and Guilds, London Institute. This is being led by John Gilbert, a founding Member of the Community Assembly of the British Isles (CA British Isles) who is a fully qualified City and Guilds Assessor and Verifier.
The important thing to note is that the CHI assessment process does not involve failing anyone. Rather, it helps natural health practitioners, healers and suppliers identify where improvements can be made and provides them with opportunity to become fully accredited or recognised as a recommended supplier.
Practitioner Directory
As part of CA British Isles, CHI will benefit from being fully supported with administration, assessment and monitoring processes, data collection and protection, concessions and donations , associated services, dedicated website pages, directory listings, blog articles and mentions in updates which are sent out to CA British Isles Members on a regular basis.
Practitioner Certificates
CHI will provide accredited practitioners with a certificate with post-nominal letters after their name for Licentiates (LCHI), Members (MCHI) and Fellow (FCHI). Certificates are also provided for Associate Members without post-nominal letters after their name. See below for an example.
Emergency Health Fund
[Updated on 25 February 2026]
Our formalised accreditation process supports
natural health practitioners to become fully accredited and to identify where improvements can be made in providing quality healing services for our Members and the wider community.
John Gilbert MD (AV), MHA, SAC Dip, FGAV, MBCS, MIET, C.Eng., LCGI
Community Assembly of the British Isles
Why we are here
Vision
To become a recognised world-first accredited service for natural health provision
Mission
To bring together best practices and share knowledge in natural health, healing and spirituality
Values
To work together in harmony with Nature in support of the ongoing health of our local communities
Directory structure
The main page of the CHI Health Directory is set out in categories relating to the type of treatment or practice so that you can select a practitioner, practice or supplier for the service required.
Each category on the main directory page links to an introductory page with a description of the type of treatments or practices listed under that section. A table on the same page lists all the accredited practitioners and practices with a link to individual profiles with information about consultations, treatments and services together with contact details.
Some of our CHI practitioners work from home or have premises to treat clients in person for those who live in the loca area. Many offer a remote service through online consultations and therapy sessions. This is identified by 'Local' and 'Online' options noted on the listings on the main directory page.
[Updated on 25 February 2026]
Types of membership
Associates, Licentiates, Members and Fellows
Associate Membership
FREE for life membership and application process
Listed with a profile on CHI Health Directory
Access to CHI Emergency Funding
Submission of articles, book reviews and research papers (blog)
Licentiate Membership (LCHI)
Fully qualified from Level 4 (Higher Ed) with practical knowledge and experience
FREE for life membership and application process
Listed with a profile on CHI Health Directory
Access to CHI Emergency Funding
Submission of articles, book reviews and research papers (blog)
Member Membership (MCHI)
FREE for life membership and application process
Listed with a profile on CHI Health Directory
Access to CHI Emergency Funding
Submission of articles, book reviews and research papers (blog)
Fellow Membership (FCHI)
FREE for life membership and application process
Listed with a profile on CHI Health Directory
Access to CHI Emergency Funding
Submission of articles, book reviews and research papers (blog)
Community Health Initiative
Accreditation Certificate
Criteria for joining
Application and Accreditation Process
There are various ways for a natural health practitioner to prove their competence to the administrators of the Community Health Initiative (CHI).
LEVELS OF ASSESSMENT Levels of assessment are defined by the recognised amount of learning, practice and delivery required to achieve recognition in a certain specialisation or field of practice. The following qualifications are taken into consideration:
- Level 1 - Foundation
- Level 2 - Equivalent of 'O' level
- Level 3 - Equivalent to 'A' level
- Level 4 - HND or HNC National Diploma, Licentiate with practical knowledge and experience
- Level 5 - Degree Level
- Level 6 - Masters Degree Level
- Level 7 - Over 10 years as a highly skilled and experienced practitioner
For the purposes of joining CHI, we also take into consideration other criteria including terms of service, level of experience and testimonials which, together with the above, are assessed using a standard points system used by CHI Assessors and Verifiers.
LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP
Associate - 5 - 9 points
Licentiate - 10 - 14 points
Member - 15 - 19 points
Fellow - 25 points and over
Practitioners without any recognised qualifications or those who are still in training, are invited to submit an application with a request in the message for guidance on how to achieve the required level and points.
COST OF MEMBERSHIP
STAGES OF APPLICATION
STAGE 1 - BECOMING A MEMBER OF CA BRITISH ISLES
STAGE 2 - APPLICATION TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE
To request your application, please complete and submit the dedicated form below. Completed forms are sent securely and directly to us, at which point our qualified assessor and verifier, John Gilbert, will contact you directly by phone or email as soon as possible.
STAGE 3 - CONFIRMATION OF APPLICATION
Following your conversation with John, arrangements will be made to complete your application and, if required, guidance will be given to assist you in understanding how to achieve the required level and points.
STAGE 4 - PRE-ASSESSMENT INTERVIE W
A pre-assessment interview is arranged online with John to go through your application and answer any questions you may have about the CA British Isles and the Community Health Initiative.
STAGE 5 - SUBMISSION OF AGREED CRITERIA
Having agreed on required criteria and next steps, arrangements will be made for you to make a submission for the next phase of your assessment process.
STAGE 6 - REFERENCES
To become an accredited Member of CHI requires two references as follows:
- Reference 1 A lay person who is able to testify to your general character and length of experience.
- Reference 2 A qualified health professional who can attest to your professional competency and depth of experience.
STAGE 7 - FINAL ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW If required, John will arrange a second interview where an independent health professional who has experience in the relevant field/s may be invited to attend. This part of the assessment is relaxed and friendly, never confrontational and designed to help you understand how best to meet the required criteria.
STAGE 8 - CONFIRMATION OF MEMBERSHIP
[Updated on 16 February 2026]
Application form
Please complete the form below to
let us know your interest and start your application.
Please double-check for errors or we may not be able to contact you.
Application form
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Wherever the art of medicine is loved,
there is also a love of humanity.