BAME Community Development

SHAP’s BAME Community Development Scheme aims to improve access to mainstream mental health and wellbeing services for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups (including asylum seekers, refugees and those granted Indefinite Leave to Remain) living and / or working in Halton, Knowsley and St Helens. Cuts to grant funding have seen the service shrink over recent years, but our core objectives remain and are still supported by leads in the NHS and local authorities covered by the scheme who fund our work:

  • with local organisations, agencies and the BAME community to develop community engagement infrastructure
  • raising awareness of mental health and well-being services and other local services and agencies to the needs of the BAME community.

Our Community Development Scheme works to improve the wellbeing of local BAME communities by:

  • providing support and assistance to members of the BAME community to access mainstream mental health and social care services
  • working in partnership with service providers to identify and address language, cultural and other barriers experienced by members of the community when accessing services
  • working with service providers to find better and more effective ways of engaging and communicating with their local BAME communities
  • translating communication and information material into community languages
  • delivering Cultural Awareness and Cultural Competency Training to front line staff and local organisations so they are better informed about the communities they work with and are delivering culturally appropriate and inclusive services
  • helping to jointly monitor hate crimes and primary care services support (in association with the Hate Crimes Partnership Forum, Anthony Walker Foundation and others)
  • delivering briefings, organise awareness raising events, deliver drop in sessions etc. to disseminate information and advice.

The staff team consists of the Scheme Manager, a Community Development Worker, and two Project Workers, the latter whom directly support Asylum Seekers Granted Leave to Remain.  The team work together to deliver this highly valued service.

Mission Statement

Empowering people to take control of their lives.

 

How to access the scheme

The BAME Community Development Scheme operates Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Please contact us on: 01744 454056

email: cdw@shap.org.uk

 

How to apply

Please contact the scheme for further information.

Contact us

Where to Find Us:

SHAP
BAME Community Development Scheme
2nd Floor
Lakeside Building
Alexandra Business Park
Prescot Road
St Helens
WA10 3TT

Phone Number:

01744 454056

Email Address:

cdw@shap.org.uk

Get In Touch Today

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been told I need to register with a GP Surgery, but I don’t know where to find one or how to register. Please can you help?

There are GP Surgeries in most localities and there may be one near where you live. A member of the team can take you to the one nearest to you and help you with the registration.

I speak very little English and need to go to the GP surgery. I am afraid they may not understand what I am saying. What can I do?

GP Surgeries, Hospitals and most health and social care service providers have access to translation and interpreting service. Contact the GP Surgery, hospital or the service provider and request translation and this will be arranged for you on your arrival at the surgery.

My faith is very important to me but there are no Mosques in this area. Can you tell me where the nearest Mosque is?

The nearest Mosque is in Liverpool. However, there is an Islamic Centre in Sutton near St Helens where information is available about similar centres around the area.

My children and I are stuck in the house day in day out. We do not know anyone in the area. Please can you help?

Shap in partnership with the faith community, Red Cross etc. run Drop in sessions in St Helens, Prescot (Knowsley) and Widnes / Runcorn (Halton), where people come together to network, make friends etc. The schools, faith communities in the local areas also run activities that involve the family.

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