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July 2013 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Date & Time: 3rd July 2013, 10am – 1pm

Venue: Lighthouse West London, 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 1QT

Theme: Women’s Health & Wellbeing

Eddie Chan, BME Health Forum Chair and Director of the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre, welcomed all to the meeting and introduced the first item.

Item 1:

The BME Health Forum Unscheduled Care Project

Nisha Subasinghe, Project lead, BME Health Forum

Aims: to gather insight into the patterns of unscheduled care use in the local community. To see why people use A&E services and why some people receive hospital care in an unplanned way.

We then want to feed this information back to the commissioners and providers

We also want to produce recommendations aimed at improving care for people from local communities.

Capacity building – to improve the capacity of local organisations to understand local health services and also to train and offer work experience to local people (those who will conduct the research questionnaires).

Target Participant Groups:

  1. Patients with long term conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease etc)
  2. Parents of children with long term conditions (e.g. asthma etc)
  3. Adults without long term conditions who are frequent users of A&E (e.g. 3 times in the last 2 years)
  4. Parents of children without long term conditions who are frequent users of A&E (e.g. 3 times in the last 2 years)

Clients must either:

  1. Be registered with a GP within the NHS Central London CCG
  2. Live within the NHS Central London CCG catchment area and not be registered with a GP at all

minimum of 80% of clients from BME groups and a minimum of 75% will not be in full employment.

Delivery requirements from participating organisations:

Outputs

  •  20 volunteers - recruited and supervised
  •  5 Named members of staff - to manage the project
  •  Minimum of 125 clients - taking part in research
  • Ongoing input into the project - designing questionnaires and writing the final report

Outcomes

  • understanding why people from local communities access emergency services and receive unscheduled care
  • Local voluntary organisations with increased knowledge, skills and capacity to support their clients to use NHS services appropriately
  • Trained volunteers from the local community who have gained understanding and experience of community research and about how to use the NHS appropriately.

[To download the power point presentation for this talk please click on this LINK]

Q&A

 

Question: Who are the participating community organisations involved in this project?

Answer: The Abbey Centre, Healthier Life 4 You, Marylebone Bangladesh Society, Midaye Somali Development Network, and MIND.

 

Item 2:

The BME Health Forum Maternity Project

Nafsika Thalassis, Director of the BME Health Forum

  • 2 year duration
  • Research conducted with 10 pregnant women from Black and Minority Ethnic communities
  • We follow the women’s experience throughout their pregnancy and post-natally

Case Studies

One of the women who had to have a c-section was not given information about how to look after the wound and ended up with an infection and was readmitted to hospital.

No interpreter was offered to the above woman and they are told that language line should not be used.

Another woman actually asked for an interpreter during one of her visits to a health professional but she was told that they could understand her fine and that an interpreter was not needed.

Findings

  • Some of the info collected at booking appointments is inadequate e.g. quite often mental health questions are not asked but are ticked as if they had been asked on the notes
  • Woman who had FGM had no record of this in her notes.
  • Woman who had a hearing impairment and used a hearing aid was treated as if she was deaf - an assumption made without an enquiry.
  • None of the women were given all the information that is laid out in the NICE guidelines (check slide)

Further findings

  • Difficulty navigating pathway
  • Ramadan – many women fast during pregnancy. It would be helpful to have some more evidence based information available to women who are fasting.
  • Many women felt that on occasion staff do not listen or are rude.
  • Not all women who are eligible are told about the birth centre.
  • On the whole the labor experiences for women were positive – difficulties were before and after because these women suffer poor outcomes.

[To see the power point slides for this presentation click on this LINK]

Q&A

Question: I am surprised – are staff not receiving mandatory cultural awareness training?

Answer (Shireen Jones – head of Midwifery at Imperial): Yes, all of our staff receive ICARE training. Furrakh Mirza delivers training on all the issues presented. We are also increasing the training offered.

Further question: are you training them in using the person centred approach?

Answer: Yes that is standard. Much of it is about empowering women and making sure women know where to go.

Question: What is the ‘Birth Centre’?

Answer: The Birth Centre is the area for low risk pregnancies – it is solely staffed by midwives.


Item 3:

Response to the BME Health Forum maternity project

Shereen Jones, Lead Midwife, Imperial College Healthcare Trust

I have been the lead midwife at St Mary’s Hospital coming up to a year.

I received the report from Nafsika and found what I read there quite shocking. It is true that the project started 2 years ago and since then some things have changed.

The first thing was to look at what has changed.

PALS gets feedback via the feedback comment card.

MSLC (Maternity Services Liaison Committee) get excellent feedback from women users.

Need to improve how women book in though – some women, especially for their first pregnancy are booking in late - we are not getting these women in to services early enough.

We are not getting information out to women in their own languages.

In St Mary’s the main languages are Polish, Arabic, Somali, and Japanese.

In Queen Charlotte’s the main languages are Arabic, Portuguese, Farsi, Bengali, and Chinese.

Videos

We are currently creating a new video with the MSLC that will cover the whole maternity pathway. It is designed by women and will be presented by women. It will be translated into the top 5 languages.

We are also thinking of creating business cards with a link to the video.

 

Question/ comment: We should not underestimate the computer illiteracy of much of our community.

Answer: Yes, it’s true. We are also planning to get the videos to be shown in children’s centres and ante-natal clinics.

 

Inaccurate info from GPs

We are trying to get women to refer themselves directly to Maternity Services. We are also trying to improve the info we get from GPs about histories and risks.

What are we doing about assessing risks?

We are working together with Standing Together Against Domestic Violence. They are running a project around Maternity led by Rina Mehta.

They are offering Domestic Violence awareness training to all our staff as it was apparent that routine questions were not always being asked.

Interpreters

Face to face interpreters are being offered for all who need it at the initial booking appointment. After this time Language line can be used.

Where we are:

Baby Friendly Initiative - we have staff training around breast feeding and infant feeding. We have created a patient friendly info leaflet which is also available in pictorial form.

Vitamin D supplementation is now routine.

One to one case loading for vulnerable women.

This is an excellent service where vulnerable women are offered the same midwife throughout their maternity. It is only available for women in a specific catchment area.

Fasting  for Ramadan during pregnancy

Our knowledge base around this is not good but we have looked into this and do now have an information fact sheet available on this. Also on NHS Choices there is a guideline on fasting healthily during Ramadan which has a paragraph around pregnancy (http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/healthyramadan/pages/faqs.aspx)

We have also discovered that the ‘Baby Centre’ website has some very useful information that can be passed on (http://www.babycentre.co.uk/c1028951/ramadan-and-pregnancy)

[To download and view the PDF slides for this presentation please click HERE]

Q&A

Question: It’s great to hear that there are improved plans for interpreting services. Will its usage be audited and monitored at all?

Answer: Right now we can only monitor its usage from looking at the budget.

Further comment: Monitoring really needs to happen regularly and some number needs to be arrived at around the amount needed – a target around what you would expect to use.

Question: A common issue seems to me to be that many women are sent home during labour. How can you improve the communication? It seems that staff are under pressure and that there are not enough staff.

Answer: We are under pressure – that is a fact. There are lots of factors. For early labour we are looking at the birth environment, being caring to women and looking at what we are telling them. We are trying to warn women and make it clear to them what to expect from 34 weeks and also encouraging them to make a phone call before coming in.

Question/ comment: The one thing you have not spoken about is your communication with GPs. Most GPs want to be involved. The majority of women come to GPs first so you could half your workload if you had improved communication with GPs.

Answer: The schedule of care is quite confusing. We are trying to improve it and make it clearer for all.

Question: Regarding interpreting – there are different types of dialects in Arabic – how do you deal with this?

Answer: We do try and ask about the correct dialect.

Question: Is there an opportunity here to get support from the community (regarding interpreting?)

Answer: For clinical interpreting it has to be a formal service but in other aspects – yes, people from the community could be used and is a good idea.

Question: We have Community Health Champions and we could have Maternity Champions – volunteers trained and supported to help women through the pathway,

Answer: Yes – this is a very good idea.

 

Item 4:

Cultural issues regarding Child Protection for Black African children in UK

Dorcas Gwata. Specialist Psychiatric Liaison Nurse, CNWL

I have been working at AFRUCA (Africans Unite against Child Abuse) a charity focused on the rights and welfare of African children. It is pragmatic and so focused on policy and the African community make a huge contribution to the work – there is a wide representation in front line staff.

Most African children end up being taken into foster care because of corporal punishment but here is a list of reasons:

  • Corporal punishment
  • FGM
  • Illegal fostering
  • Child neglect
  • Child trafficking

Why?

  • Socio-economic problems
  • Domestic violence is unrecognized and unreported
  • First child syndrome – older sibling forced to look after younger children – often forced and beaten.

Compounding factors – there is a problem of not understanding UK law. Here children are often taken away by social services for practices that are deemed normal in Africa.

Eg. In Yoruba culture it is common practice for parents to give a specific type of massage to a 2 year old. In one case the child’s wrists were inadvertently broken. The child was taken to A&E and after this was taken away from the parents by social services.

Faith Abuse

Branding children as witches

Religious leader/ Pastors misuse influence. Often they ask donations of 10% of people’s food or money.

Around the cycle of Witchcraft accusations - The Dove Project – Supporting families affected by witchcraft branding in Newham

The Dove project is a pilot project funded by Trust for London is a partnership between AFRUCA, London Borough of Newham and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. It aims to provide a holistic approach towards meeting the needs of children and families where there has been child abuse as a result of witchcraft branding.

Child Trafficking

Children are often taken from very poor areas in Africa and entrapped with fear. Teenagers are taken to ‘baby making factories’ where babies are sold on.

AFRUCA’s anti child trafficking project aims to raise awareness among African communities about the dangers of child trafficking. We also support children and young people who have been trafficked via a range of support programmes. Over 250 children and young people have benefited from our work in this area.

FGM

FGM is not religiously defined and it is against the law in this country. Recognition that this process is harmful and also conviction is important to get the message across.

[For more detailed information from this presentation please go to AFRUCA’s website: http://www.afruca.org/about-us/]

 Q&A

Question: Are schools aware of FGM and also identifying children who may be at risk of FGM? Do AFRUCA go and talk to schools?

Answer: Yes AFRUCA do work with schools and schools do make referrals to AFRUCA.

Question: How serious is FGM?

Answer:  We don’t have specific numbers but even one death would be too many.

Question: Great job in raising awareness of abuse. How as professionals do we deal with spiritual explanations – what is the balance? We also need to be careful that we don’t see all people with spiritual explanations as potential abusers.

Answer: Yes of course but do we do need to recognize that there is a problem.

Question: How can we promote prevention of FGM? It is a deep cultural thing. What education can we give – what preventative strategy is there?

Answer: The charity FORWARD have a lot of teaching programmes and do a lot of work around this.

Question: How do you engage the community? How are you received as a charity? It can be hard to hear something that goes against your convictions.

Answer: Well most of the people who have been referred to us have already had their children taken away via a court order so they are along the process.


Item 5:

Westminster Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Rob Patrick, Policy Officer, and Holly Manktelow, Senior Policy Officer, Westminster City Council

Domestic Abuse training across all services (such as)

  • Housing services
  • Benefit services
  • Advice services

To bring in voluntary and community services

Children services – to look at how they might be able to improve child development services.

Childhood obesity – there is so much more to do about this, good environment, bringing the whole family into it.

Immunisation at a national level – does it take into account the local cultures and more vulnerable communities - Extra info is needed.

Westminster will ensure that local needs are incorporated.

[To download the power point slides to the above presentation click on this LINK]

Q&A

Question (Nafsika Thalassis, BME Health Forum Director): Regarding dental health – one thing that came up in a research study the Forum did a few years ago is the issue of health inequalities. Access was identified as an issue and not in the sense of not being able to see anyone but rather in not getting the full range of the service e.g health professionals not asking the correct questions. In view of this there could be more actions in your strategy to tackle the issue of why people from deprived communities get less from services.

Answer: Yes – but some elements when looking at obesity are different – they are more environmental and cultural e.g. people only having access to a lesser quality of food.

Comment: The Health Trainer service looks at behavior change – they find out from individuals what they want to change in their life and support them to make these changes.

Answer: Yes, the Health Trainer service and also the Community champion services are excellent – we want to improve links with these services.

Question/ comment: Services need to be improved and their accessibility needs to be improved as well. You need to talk to people to find out what the barriers are. The other side is self-prevention. We want a bigger drive to promote prevention in the community in an appropriate way. We need to bring in to awareness the massive role that the community/ third sector play and could play more in supporting health outcomes initiatives and with a commissioning strategy behind it to support these organisations to deliver on this work.

Answer: Yes, we are looking at it and we want to cut down on duplication of services. It is a two layer process and the board is very young.

At the moment we are looking at specific changes to be made to existing projects. We do need some time to develop relationships for the future planning of services though.

Question: It would be important that the Public Health commissioning strategy board also talk to the Third sector commissioning strategy board.

Answer: Yes we will. We want to take on board and work together with Public Health and the Third sector. The willingness is there but we do need still to work out how this can be effectively achieved.


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» Expert by Experience Opportunities!

Do you have any dynamic people who who live in North West London that use your services that you think would be great to help support the North West London Suicide Prevention Programme? Experts by Experience (EbE’s) are at the heart of co-production which is what our programme is all about - informing our work in the social response to suicide prevention through lived experience. We are looking to bring in some new people in 2024 to kick off the new year.

» London’s democracy needs you – join the #NoVoteNoVoice campaign

2024 is a huge year for democracy with elections in London, the UK and across the world - Londoners need you! With the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections on 2nd May 2024 fast approaching, we need your help to reach as many eligible Londoners as possible.

» FREE African Yoga sessions at Jubilee Community Sports Centre

Access to Yoga is series of 18 sessions taking place at the NEW Jubilee Community Sports Centre on Lancefield Street W10. The sessions will be an introduction to African Yoga and will take place on Thursday evenings. Yoga is well renowned for its benefits to health and wellbeing.

» Kensington & Chelsea Fraud Newsletter (December 2023)

The K&C Fraud newsletter contains information and figures of fraud cases in the borough including useful information about how to protect yourself against fraud crimes.

» Young Westminster Foundation January Newsletter (2024)

Please see the latest newsletter from Young Westminster Foundation with several funding opportunities including: Helping Hands Community Fund, Paul Hamyn Foundatiom Youth Fund, National Lottery Community Fund, Sports England small grants programme, and Berkley Foundation Fund for organisations working with young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

» New lung cancer screening roll out to detect cancer sooner (June 2023)

A national targeted lung cancer screening programme designed to catch cancer sooner or prevent it altogether has been announced by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Each year the programme - which will cost £270 million annually once fully implemented - is expected to detect cancer in as many as 9,000 people, deliver almost one million scans and provide treatment earlier.

» Active Westminster Network Funding application windows 2024

From the Monday 5th February 2024, ActiveWestminster Network partners are invited to submit a proposal for funding support of up to £1000 to support new or upscaling of a health and wellbeing physical activity community project. The submission deadline is Sunday 3rd March 2024 at midnight.

» Invitation to participate in an interview for research study developing an inclusive health and care research system with Black African Diaspora Communities in the UK

Are you: a community leader, or faith leader of Black communities?; a healthcare professional with experience of inviting individuals to health and care research studies?; a health and care researcher? research delivery staff?; a member of an ethics committee, or regulatory agency such as the HRA/MHRA?; a funder of health and care research, or make decisions about funding?; a policymaker? If yes to one of these, would you like to share your views about the inclusion and participation of Black communities in health and social care?

» NEW! Peer Support Cafe at Church st Library - Tuesdays from 9th Jan - 18th June 2024

We are delighted to announce our new Peer support Cafe that takes place on Tuesdays (initial sessions 11 - 12pm) at Church street library. The café will encourage the community sharing of valuable information, advice and guidance, provided by experts, supported by WCC registered interpreter/translator (Arabic, Amharic). It is intended as a safe place to share concerns, seek advice, meet friends, make friends and escape loneliness.

» Kensington & Chelsea Fraud Newsletter (November 2023)

The K&C Fraud newsletter contains information and figures of fraud cases in the borough including useful information about how to protect yourself against fraud crimes.

» Say No to Abuse Leaflets: Supporting people to ‘stay safe’ in the Bi-borough (added 20.12.23)

These leaflets have been co-produced by our Safeguarding Ambassadors and include a variety of our video resources to help support everyone to understand a range of safeguarding topics, as well as information on what happens after you report a safeguarding concern.

» Young Westminster Foundation December Newsletter (2023)

Please see the latest newsletter from Young Westminster Foundation with several opportunities including: I have a voice - welcome to your vote week (opportunity for 12-18yr olds); Paddington Arts Office space for hire; St Giles and St George Trustee role; Partnership for Young London Survey; NSPCC E-Learning Safeguarding Children with SEND Training; and more.

» SAEB Safeguarding Ambassadors Bulletin - December 2023

Please see the latest newsletter from Safeguarding Adults Executive Board's Safeguarding Ambassadors. Inside you will find information about National Safeguarding Awareness Week 2023 including a link to the SAEB Learning Programme: Self-Neglect webinar, PLUS a 7 Minute Briefing: What makes a good safeguarding referral.

» Patient involvement opportunities from NIHR/ Imperial College London

Please see upcoming patient involvement opportunities from the Patient Experience Centre newsletter of Imperial College London. Opportunities include: effects of early life respiratory infections (seeking parents/ carers of 0-18s), oppoortunity for young people who have taken part in clinical trials, and opportunity for young people who are interested in health research.

» Fairer Communities - Join your local area panel!

Are you passionate about improving your local area? Why not join your local area panel and have your say on what community projects are delivered in your local area. Work alongside other panel members to provide feedback on how we design our consultations. Share your ideas on how we can improve on engagement events for the programme. Commission local service provides and assess funding applications.

» Virtual peer support group for Black & Brown grievers

Black and Brown Good Grief is a peer to peer support meeting and safe space for black and brown grievers. Black and Brown Good Grief allows a person to grieve acknowledging the nuances of their heritage and culture while still being a person grieving someone. Black and Brown Good Grief was started by black and brown attendees and continues to be run and hosted this way..

» London Inspire Programme

The London Inspire programme is a ground-breaking programme developed to raise awareness and promote targeted health interventions aimed at reducing the staggering health inequalities faced by black people in London. Inspire was developed to foster partnership and collaboration opportunities for voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver health interventions, while also amplifying the voice of the Black community to create whole systems change.

» Cost of Living Support - Directory of Services December

Please see the latest update to the Cost of Living Directory of Services for December for RBKC residents.

» Free after school programmes at Grand Junction

Grand Junction are hosting several free after school programmes for children and young people - these are: Junction Juniors - drama workshop for age 7-11; Young Actors - acting and drama workshops for age 11-17; and Green Kids Club - a weekly workshop learning about environmentalism, nature and making art.

» Endometriosis leaflets in multiple languages

Endometriosis UK have newly translated support and symptoms leaflets. These leaflets are now available in Punjabi Shahmukhi, Punjabi Gurmukhi, Urdu, Polish, Scottish Gaelic, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese. The symptoms leaflet shares the main endometriosis symptoms, what endometriosis is and how Endometriosis UK provides support.

» Jubilee Sports Centre - book a space!

There is still availability to book space at the new improved Jubilee Community Sports Centre with priority being given to those clubs and organisations that are looking to provide opportunities to support the local community. The address of the venue is: Lancefield Street, London, W10 4NW

» Westminster Special Schools Online Training Calendar

Please see the training calendar from Westminster Special Schools for supporting children with additional needs. Trainings includ: Practical Sensory Strategies; Fostering Emotion Regulation; Practical strategies for handwriting; Navigating mealtimes with sensory challenges; and more.

» 'Stay with Us' Suicide Prevention Campaign Launch - info and resources

For those who were unable to attend the Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster 'Stay with Us' Suicide Prevention Campaign Launch please see the collated essential information and resources we have put together.

» Young Westminster Foundation November Newsletter (2023)

Please see the latest newsletter from Young Westminster Foundation including funding news: HELPING HANDS COMMUNITY FUND NOW OPEN and WESTMINSTER BRIGHTER FUTURES FUND; also YWF YOUTH WORKER FORUM WINTER EVENT on 6th November and YOUNG WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION JOB VACANCY as HELPING HANDS PROGRAMME OFFICER.

» North West London Health Equity Summit info share from the day

On Tuesday 24 October 2023, more than 200 people from across NW London gathered in St Pauls, Hammersmith for the first health equity summit for the area. One year on from the launch of the region’s inequality strategy, it was a chance to reflect on what had been achieved and discuss the challenges ahead. You can now see all the presentation and details of the day updated to the NHS NWL website.

» Workshops to improve breast screening information - 30th Nov or 12th Dec

Do you want to help improve breast cancer screening information and invitations? We are looking for 6 people to join two different workshops. We encourage people from underserved populations including but not limited to ethnic minority groups e.g., Asian, Black African or Caribbean, Arab, Mixed ethnicity and those from a disadvantaged background to apply.

» National Lottery Awards for All is changing! (posted 15.11.2023)

National Lottery Awards For All, is changing! You will now be able to: Apply for funding between £300 and £20,000 to support your project, an increase from the previous £10,000 per year; Get your project funded for up to two years rather than one. These changes mean that we have doubled the amount you can apply for and how long we’ll fund your project.

» Public steering group opportunity - STATIN project (apply by 24.11.2023)

As part of a study looking at developing an intervention to support patients who have been prescribed statins, we are looking for public partners to join our team who are prescribed statins or who have been prescribed statins in the past and are currently living in London. Even if (or especially if) you do not take your statins as prescribed, we would still be interested in hearing from you.

» Mentoring Programme for Young People With MH Needs

Are you a young person from a minority background experiencing mental health challenges? Or do you know, or work, with someone who is? Our free e-mentoring programme is here to help! Unlock your potential and achieve your educational and employment dreams with our free 12-week e-mentoring programme.

» Age UK K&C & Age UK Westminster Digital Inclusion Project (added 03.11.2023)

The Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster (KCW) Social Isolation pilot supports and enhances existing Older Adult Mental Health services provided by CNWL by providing targeted outreach support to vulnerable elderly people including those living alone who are known to be more likely to experience social isolation.

» Exciting New Group for the Spanish & Portuguese Community!

Come and join us every Friday from 10am - 12pm at Stockwell Partk Community Centre. In this space we will talk about our health, wellbeing, benefits, access to local services, how to obtain individual help, while also having the chance to make new friends!

» Community Living Well service

Community Living Well is an emotional wellbeing support service for anyone aged 16 and over, and who is registered with a GP in Kensington, Chelsea, Queen’s Park or Paddington. We can help to support your mental health and wellbeing.

» Support and Guidance During Current Events in Israel and Palestine

We are aware that ongoing, shocking events in Israel and Palestine have led to heightened tensions and emotional distress within our communities and want to remind you that Westminster’s Prevent team are available should you require our assistance; we are able to provide support and guidance for anyone who may be impacted by the current situation. If you or someone you know is feeling distressed or overwhelmed due to the recent events, there are resources and support available to help you navigate through these difficult times.

» Vacancies at Thrive Tribe - Healthier You (NDPP) (apply by 09.10.2023)

Thrive Tribe have been selected to deliver the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) in London and now we have lots of opportunities to join our team! We have vacancies for Health Coaches, Senior Health Coaches, and Healthier You Partnerships Managers.

» Build your own Community Website in 7 weeks

This training from Superhighways will bring together a small group of people from 8 to 10 micro charities and community organisations to build their own website, using the free community website builder Voice Online Communities. The training will run weekly online, 10am to 12pm weekly, starting Wednesday 25 October 2023.

» Mosaic Community Trust's current services and activities (29.10.23)

Mosaic Community Trust's Mothers Support Network offers a range of activities in the form of Drop in sessions, workshops run by professionals, opportunities to voice concerns, free therapeutic massage and more. Mosaic also run a community wellbeing hub at the Portman centre and Connected communities social hub which is for women living in Church street area only.

» Free Funding bid support

NEW OFFER OF FREE SUPPORT – fundraising strategy and bid writing help available now! Concentrated help from one of a panel of external fundraisers whose direct skills and expertise will be offered to Westminster VCS organisations (including CICs) for free.

» Free Birth Preparation Classes with Neighbourhood Doulas

From Wednesday 6th September 2023 (10.30 -12.30) Neighbourhood Doulas will be providing their 6-week course and information around birth preparation, knowing your rights and options, mindfulness, decision making, confident parenting and more. Available to North Kensington residents.

» North London Forensic Collaborative Small Grant Opportunity

North London Forensic Collaborative (NLFC) has recently launched a new small grant programme for Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise organisations based in North London. This is open to organisations who currently work with individuals accessing forensic inpatient or community services, or organisations that are delivering health and wellbeing initiatives in local communities that with additional investment, could extend this offer to individuals accessing forensic services.

» English Speaking Clubs & IT Drop-In Sessions in Westminster Libararies

There are a number of English Speaking/ conversation classes running on different days in libraries across Westminster including throughout the Summer. There are also IT classes and number of other classes available.

» Muslim Women's Fertility Support Group (Fertility UK)

Fertility Network UK is a national charity that offers free advice, support, information and understanding for those facing fertility challenges. We have local fertility groups, as well as a huge range of free specialist UK-wide groups. We have now started a Muslim Women's Fertility support group.

» Pressures on our emergency services in this hot weather

Our A&Es are extremely busy with waits of up to 11 hours. We are seeing many health issues related to the current warm weather – please do share the link below which gives advice on looking after yourself in warm weather, especially if you have asthma or hayfever. It also provides information on where to go if you need help so we can keep A&E for life threatening emergencies. The leaflet is also available in a number of different languages.

» Triple P Teen Programme from Total Family Coaching

Raise happy, confdent teenagers. Manage behaviour and expectations so everyone enjoys life more. Set family routines and rules that everyone follows. Get along well with your teens and argue less. Balance work and family with less stress. 6 week online programme from Total Family Coaching.

» Family Forever Programme from Total Family Coaching

Family Forever is a programme designed to support families with complex need, delivering weekly sessions to address underlying issues such as poor mental health, bereavement, and/ or parenting difficulties. We provide adaptable and holistc family support and parentng advice including practcal assistance to improve household relatonships.

» Vodafone offer to registered charities

Apply for free mobile connectivity to support your charity. If you're a charity that needs support for digital inclusion programmes, you can apply for free Vodafone SIMs, each loaded with 40GB data a month for six months, plus unlimited calls and texts. You can use these however you like - for example, to provide connectivity to your service users or deliver training to people in need. We distribute SIMs through charities and cannot distribute SIMs to individuals.

» Neighbourhood Doulas - Free Doula Support in the Community

Neighbourhood Doulas provide free doula support for those who have no birth partner, and one or more of the following: Perinatal / historical mental health, from a racially marginalised community, and/or speaks English as a second language. Our focus is on prevention and wellbeing as we support women and birthing people who are at risk of harm due to racism, isolation, and digital poverty, which leads to disconnection from healthcare networks.

» Digital resources from Kooth and Quell online mental health support

Quell and Kooth are online digital support services for adults and young people suffering mental health difficulties and have a number of useful resources. guides, and videos that you can access via the links provided.

» Volunteer opportunities at Family Friends

Familty Friends offers befirending services to support disadvantaged families living in K&C, Westminster, H&F and Brent. They are currently looking for volunteers for their 2 befirending services - Family befriending which involves whole family support; and Big Buddies where volunteers support a young person aged 10 - 18 years. Commitment for either of the roles is a few hours weekly or fortnightly over a period of 6 - 12 months.

» How to capture and share learning from your project

Depending on what’s involved, the process for gathering useful learning from your project can get called ‘research’, ‘evaluation’ or ‘reflection’, for example. Whatever you call it, the basic steps for gathering learning that’s useful to you are the same. Take a look at the National Lottery Community Fund page for their top tips!

» Pro-bono legal support!

Herbert Smith Freehills are offering pro-bono legal support to race equality charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.This includes: Grants; trading and commercial contracts; Structuring and governance Employment and incentive; Tax; Charity law and regulatory compliance.

» The Chinese Welfare Trust Admiral Nurse Clinic

The Chinese Welfare Trust Admiral Nurse Clinic is available to the carers and families of people with dementia who are of Chinese or Southeast Asian origin. The Admiral Nurse takes the time to truly listen to a family's situation and suggest methods to deal with symptoms and coping strategies for the challenges dementia can bring.

» Bi Borough VCS Health and Wellbeing Strategy

This Strategy has been developed over a period of months through a collaborative process with the voluntary and community sector and colleagues from across the statutory sector/NHS. It presents a number of case studies from the VCS that illustrate its main goals and offers a set of clear recommended actions.

» WCC Grant Funding opportunities information page

Please see the Westminster City Council landing page for all upcoming council grant funding opportunities for the VCS.

» Safeguarding training for BME groups

This course has been developed to provide attendees with an awareness of what adult safeguarding is as set out under the provisions of the Care Act 2014 and support staff to identify signs and indicators of abuse and neglect and to understand the referral pathway to raise a safeguarding concern.

» What's in the Community resource page

What's in the Community Resource page collects information / flyers about services and activities and support resources available in or to RBKC residents divided in sections such as Massages/ Acupuncture, Food, Warm hubs, Cost of living support, Debt, benefits, and housing advice, Education and training, and much more.

» New Dementia Adviser for Westminster

We are pleased to introduce you to the new Dementia Adviser for Westminster, Skia Fentiman. She will be offering advice and support for those living with dementia in Westminster and also coordinates events such as the free Memory Cafes. The next one is coming up on 30th November.

» EMBARRASSED by Steve McQueen - A short film

Here is Steve McQueen's EMBARRASSED - a short film created to help raise awareness of prostate cancer within the black community and featuring Idris Elba CBE, Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE, Michael Ward, and Morgan Freeman.. The message is that if you are a black man aged over 45 you should ask your GP for a PSA test. Prostate cancer is generally easy to treat (without chemotherapy) and survivable if caught reasonably early.

» Report of Joint Committee on Human Rights: Black people, racism, and human rights

Please download and see the House of Commons/ House of Lords Joint Committee on Human Rights report: Black people, racism, and human rights - including formal minutes relating to the report.

» Free online contraception - 16+

Residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council can now access free contraception online. All you need to do is register on the website, you will directed to the contraception page where you will find all methods available these include; Emergency Hormonal Contraception, Progesterone only pill and the Combined only pill.

» Kooth - FREE online support for young people

Kooth is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.

» Mother's Support Group

Westminster Befriend a Family runs a Mother’s Support Group at Derry Hall on the Church Street Estate, between 10am and 12pm every Wednesday. It’s a place for mums and mums to be to meet up, have a (free!) cup of tea or coffee and enjoy some cake and a chat.

» March 2019 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Topics: Hammersmith & Fulham CCG's Financial Recovery Plans - request for feedback; Westminster and RBKC Councils' Dementia Strategy - request for local community input; Iraqi Association presentation; World Foods Carbs and Cals book (specifically targeted at BAME communities) Update from Diabetes Transformation team.

» December 2018 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Topics: Request for feedback on NHS 111 service; Information about Latent TB and raising awareness; request for feedback on Primary and Urgent Care services in H&F; Volunteer Centre K&C - working with BME organisations

» ADKC Disability Connect project

The Disability Connect project is for socially isolated disabled people (with a physical, sensory or hidden impairment) who need or would like some encouragement and support to get out and about doing activities of interest to them.

» September 2018 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Topics: Health Help Now App, GP Extended Hours, FAWA (French African Welfare Association), Central London Youth Development Trust cooking Sessions with children, Mosaic Community Trust programmes with Local Women in Church Street

» Sexual Health London - Free Home STI Testing Kit

Sexual Health London have commissioned an online sexual health testing website. It provides sexual health testing via post kit - very useful for young people and vulnerable groups.

» Kooth.com Free online support and wellbeing 365 days per year

Kooth.com is a professional mental health and wellbeing service, commissioned to Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Fulham and Westminster FREE to use for 11-19 year olds.

» June 2018 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Topics: Creating a new dietary resource for BAME communities with Diabetes and H&F Outcomes Framework, Update on the equalities framework & GP Extended Hours

» March 2018 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Theme: Integrated Care - My Care My Way and Engagement work done around Integrated Care Outcomes Framework

» December 2017 Quarterly Meeting Notes

Theme: Tackling Obesity in BME communities

» September 2017 Quarterly Meetings Notes

Theme: Improving the Health and Wellbeing of disadvantaged communities in Hammersmith & Fulham

» Professional Interpreters: Language is Everything

A supplier of professional interpreters – face-to-face, by telephone and written translations. We offer 136 different languages and dialects for face-to-face assignments in London and more by telephone. We have an office in North Westminster and are already supplying to Local Authority frontline teams, NHS Trusts and national third sector organisations working within the Tri-borough meaning that our interpreters know the area and are already on the ground, daily.

» June 2017 Quarterly Meeting notes

Theme: Habits and Addictions in BME communities

» The Alcohol Service

Change, grow, live is a social care and health charity that works with individuals who want to change negative patterns of behaviour and achieve positive and life-affirming goals.

» March 2017 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME:Getting involved in improving services

» December 2016 Quarterly Meeting Notes

THEME: Migration, Homelessness and Mental Health

» July 20th Diabetes Open Meeting Notes

THEME: Diabetes and Black Minority Ethnic Communities

» May 2016 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: Domestic Abuse among BME Communities. This meeting explored the issue of Domestic Abuse from many different angles such as the barriers around housing, the particular difficulties for people with no recourse to public funds and the psychological issues for young people who have been exploited...

» March 2016 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: Stigma. This meeting's theme was about stigma and how it contributes to inequalities and stops people accessing services. We heard presentations discussing stigma in many different contexts from mental health and sexual health to the stigma surrounding disabilities, gender transitioning and dying.

» Healthy Relationships:Healthy Baby Programme

Pregnancy is a time of hope but can also bring challenges and strains. Healthy Relationships:Healthy Baby is a new programme from a local charity, especially for expectant mums and dads living in Westminster. Our dedicated team will work with you and your family so you can bring an end to hurtful behavior...

» December 2015 Quarterly Meeting notes

Theme: Young People's Health & Wellbeing. This was a great meeting to attend to hear about projects in the voluntary sector and ask our NHS commissioners and providers some searching questions. Presentations included: Westminster Mind, Spectra, Al Badja and the Westminster council...

» The Talking Talk Shop at The Dalgarno Trust, Wednesdays 11am - 12.30pm

The Talking Talk Shop is now open at The Dalgarno Trust on Wednesdays from 11am - 12.30pm. We work with people from all backgrounds with varying disabilities, who are on waiting list or finished counselling but wish to continue talking in a confidential, relaxed and safe environment...

» September 2015 Quarterly Meeting Notes

THEME: DEMENTIA - This was a great event to attend to find out more about how services for people with Dementia have been planned and delivered and question the people in charge of doing so. It was also a great opportunity to find out more about how to support people with Dementia and what services are available in the NHS and the third sector including some specialist services for BME communities.

» SMART Projects Stop Smoking Service

SMART Projects is launching a Stop Smoking Service, funded by the Kensington & Chelsea Social Council and in partnership with the Kick-it Stop Smoking Service. SMART will be providing Stop smoking advice on a one to one basis and workshops for people who would like to find out more...

» Al-Aman (DVIP) Arabic Speaking service

DVIP’s Al-aman service has continued to receive funding from London Councils to support women from Arabic speaking communities who have been affected by gender based violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour based violence...

» Different Voices’ Directory of Services in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea

A directory of services was produced by the Different Voices Group at The Advocacy Project. It is a user involvement group that focuses on improving inpatient services and tackling the stigma attached to mental health. All the recommendations in the booklet are based on the service users’ own experiences of having used those services...

» Royal Trinity Hospice launches new dementia service in Kensington and Chelsea

Royal Trinity Hospice has launched a new service to support people with dementia and their carers living in Kensington and Chelsea, tackling recognised inequalities in access to palliative and end of life care.Funded by West London CCG, Trinity’s specialist Community Dementia Nurse will support people...

» Conversational English for beginners (for over 50s)

Brush up on your spoken, written and grammatical English to become a more confident speaker! For people aged 50 and over. TUESDAYs - 10.00am – 12.00pm. £3.00 per class @ New Horizons, Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, London, SW3 2PF...

» Healthier Homes Project

The Healthier Homes Project is a Public Health funded project to assist in reducing hospital admissions, GP visits and winter deaths caused by residents living in homes that are too cold, damp or are in dangerous conditions that put their health at risk.The project works as a referral service...

» ANGELOU Referrals

Angelou is a partnership of 9 organisations offering a shared service across Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster supporting women and girls who are experiencing violence and abuse.

» June 2015 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: SUPPORTING PEOPLE APPROACHING THE END OF THEIR LIVES. This meeting was about how to best support people who are approaching the end of their lives. Public health are conducting a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) about end of life care and would like to hear from you about how you feel services work currently and any gaps that there might be...

» March 2015 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH & WELLBEING

» Services

» Activities/Courses

» December 2014 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: WHOLE SYSTEMS INTEGRATED CARE

» September 2014 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: FGM

» New Young Women's Domestic Violence project for Arabic speakers

Al-Hasaniya Moroccan's Women's Centre have a new project for young women of Arabic backgrounds who have or are experiencing domestic violence. The service is aimed at young women aged between 16 and 25 years old who live in London...

» June 2014 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: MENTAL WELLBEING

» Counselling Services for female survivors of domestic and sexual abuse (Westminster and K&C)

Please be aware of the free Therapeutic Services provided by Solace Women’s Aid in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. These include:1to1 counselling for female survivors of domestic violence age 14 + (Ascent). 1to1 counselling for female survivors of sexual violence including child sexual abuse (aged 14+)...

» New Domestic Abuse service for Arabic speaking Women

Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre has recently been successful in securing funding for a new project to support young, vulnerable women of Arabic speaking backgrounds who are or have experienced domestic abuse. Our service is aimed at young women aged between 16 and 25 years old...

» Kick-It FREE Stop Smoking Support service for local communities

The Free Stop Smoking Support sessions include specialist behavioural support by certified Stop Smoking Practitioners, which will improve the client’s motivation as well as help building up capacities and strategies to stay smoke-free...

» Westminster Connect - Peer support group

The peer support is for people aged 18 to 60 who have a physical disability, hearing or sight impairments and those with long term health conditions. Westminster Connect also co-ordinates peer support for Deaf people...

» April 2014 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: Unscheduled care - the utilisation of A and E and Urgent care services by BME communities

» Housing and resettlement, Welfare benefits and debt advice (Westminster)

The Bayswater Families Centre, in conjunction with CAB, Homestart and Z2K are holding Drop-in Advice sessions covering: Housing Advice and Assistance; Resettlement Advice and Assistance; Welfare benefits Advice and Assistance; Debt Advice and Assistance...

» Zumba at Portobello Green Fitness Club

Fridays 2 - 3pm, Portobello Green Fitness Club. Price £2.10. It's fun, It's fitness, It's ZUMBA!...

» IKWRO - Self Confidence Support Group for Women

Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) is registered charity that provides confidential support, advice and advocacy and outreach to women and girls of Middle Eastern origin. We work to help women and girls who are facing gender based violence...

» November 2013 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: URGENT CARE – ‘IS THE NHS MEETING THE NEEDS OF BME COMMUNITIES?’

» September 2013 Quarterly Meeting notes

Theme: 'HAVE YOUR SAY ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES AND THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE'

» K&C Mind HARP Group (Hoarding, Acquiring Recovery Planning)

The HARP Support Group is a new, monthly, facilitated self-help programme, for people who are motivated to develop strategies and actions to manage and modify compulsive hoarding behaviour...

» British Red Cross Refugees and Befriending Project

The British Red Cross runs four 'Refugees and Befriending Projects' (R'n'B) for young unaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers aged 14-21. Our peer-led befriending projects are facilitated by peer-befrienders and adult volunteers...

» December 2012 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: IMPROVING OUR MENTAL WELLBEING

» September 2012 Quarterly Meeting notes

THEME: IMPROVING NHS COMMUNITY SERVICES – KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF HOSPITAL

» June 2012 Quarterly Meeting notes

» July 2013 Quarterly Meeting notes

» Free Days Out for Carers in Kensington and Chelsea

We also offer free training courses, complimentary therapies, other free events, talks and social meet-ups - booking essential...

» March 2011 Quarterly Meeting notes

» June 2011 Quarterly Meeting notes

» September 2011 Quarterly Meeting notes

» December 2011 Quarterly Meeting notes

» March 2012 Quarterly Meeting notes

Date & Time: 7th March 12, 10am – 1pm, Venue: The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU, Theme: Men’s Health & Wellbeing

» March 2013 Quarterly Meeting notes

Theme: Women’s Health & Wellbeing Date: 6th March 2013 Venue: Lighthouse West Lodon

» Domestic abuse and Sexual violence Information about Helpline services in your area

Please see below some information about domestic and sexual violence helplines that are funded by London Councils and available in your area...

» Psychological Therapies in languages other than English

Please note that all NHS psychological therapy services are obliged to provide an interpreter for people who are not fluent English speakers. This includes counselling services offered by GP practices as well as IAPT or other mental health services offered by CNWL or CLCH...

» Personalisation Project at the Chinese Mental Health Association

The Befriending Service at the Chinese Mental Health Association is running a pilot Personalisation project for ethnic Chinese sufferers of mental health. Personalisation is about giving people with needs, choice and control over their care, with support and resources provided by their local authority...

» Fit for Work Service in Kensington & Chelsea now expanding to Westminster and Hammermith & Fulham

Fit for Work Service in Kensington & Chelsea now expanding to Westminster and Hammermith & Fulham

» Maternity Action Advice Line

Maternity Action’s Advice Line offers free confidential telephone support. We will listen to you and try to understand all the issues you are facing. We will then provide you with information that is relevant to you and your situation...

» Breathe Easy Support Group

DO YOU LIVE IN PIMLICO AND SUFFER FROM A BREATHING PROBLEM? BREATHE EASY PADDINGTON is your Westminster patient support group, for anyone affected by a lung condition. We offer mutual support, information...

» Healthworks

HEALTHWORKS√ offers a range of services to help the residents of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster and surrounding boroughs

» Rape Crisis London

Rape Crisis London has four centres that offer help, information and support to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence of any kind, at any time of their lives...

» Substance misuse services - NEW three borough service

Turning Point and Blenheim have been commissioned to provide the new substance misuse service in Westminser, RBKC, and Hammersmith & Fulham. This service is named the Recovery & Wellbeing network and will transform the way that drug and alcohol services are provided locally...

» Health Centre for walk-in (unregistered) patients

The Halfpenny Steps Health Centre provides health services for registered and walk-in patients. It is staffed with a team of GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to deliver a high quality, continuous service...

» Public Health Training Service - RBKC

The Royal Borough can help your business. We offer award-winning training on Food Safety and Health and Safety. We also offer Environmental Principles training, Personal Licence Holders training and Customer Service Training...

» Dementia Adviser Service in Westminster

The Westminster Dementia Adviser service provides advice, information and guidance to those who have received a diagnosis of dementia, as well as their families and supporters. As well as working in partnership with NHS...

» Housing Factsheet Library

Some housing factsheets on key housing issues. The fact sheets provide a very basic summary of the issue, the possible actions you can take, and who to contact for further information...

» Get Active! - Affordable activities for all abilities and ages at the Beethoven Centre

See details below for affordable activities for all abilities and ages available at the Beethoven Centre...

» North London Rape Crisis Service

North London Rape Crisis offers free, confidential counselling, advocacy and holistic therapies to women aged 14 and over who live, work or study in Islington, Camden, Westminster, Barnet, Enfield, Kensington and Chelsea and Haringey...

» Helpline for Maternity Services

The maternity helpline provides direct access to clinical support and advice to women and their families, irrespective of whether you are a patient of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, a visitor to the area or simply require information and support.

» Women's Wellbeing, Patient Empowerment and Mental Health & Wellbeing projects at Mosaic Community Trust

The Mosaic Community Trust’s Women’s Well-Being Project seeks to empower women who are socially disadvantaged. The Patient Empowerment and Engagement project aims to raise awareness in the local community on the availability and effective use primary care health services...

» NHS videos aimed at newly arrived migrants in various languages

Here are a series of short films on how to use the NHS aimed at newly arrived migrants produced by the Black Health Agency. The film is available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi/Dari, French, Kurdish, Mandarin, Polish, Somali, Sylheti and Urdu...

» Fit-for-Life - Free 8 week weight loss programme

This FREE eight week group behaviour change programme is designed to help the patients to lose weight, get fitter and make more informed choices about your diet and lifestyle...

» Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) - Westminster service

STRESSED, ANXIOUS, DEPRESSED? If you are finding it difficult to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression, we can offer quick and easy access to help and support...

» HELP Counselling - low cost short & long term counselling service

Based in Portobello Road, Notting Hill Gate, London, HELP Counselling Centre provides short & long-term counselling based on an affordable, sliding scale for people who need support in negotiating a crisis as well as for those who wish to consider their life patterns and choices...

» FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Service

West London African Women's service - Community support and information...

» LIVING WELL - Wellbeing services

Living Well offers a wide range of high-quality health related services aimed at providing people with the skills they need to get the most out of life. Services include HIV service, Youth service and Community support service...

» Healthier Life for You blog

Healthier LIfe 4 You is a community organisation not for profit with charitable aims. We aim to promote Health and Wellbeing to local people in the community (Families, Children & Young people). As well as running Health workshops, we use Dance, Art & Craft and Leisure activities to enable service users to achieve emotional and Physical wellbeing...

» South Westminster Centre for Health

Provides community and specialist dental services, district nursing, nutrition and dietetics, diabetes and podiatry (foot health) services, Speech and language therapy for children...

» Independent Domestic Violence Advisory Service at ADVANCE

ADVANCE is a specialist domestic violence crisis intervention service. We support women who are assessed as being high or very high risk of continued domestic and sexual abuse and those at risk of being killed...

» GO4mental health

A website/ directory for mental health service users in Westminster...

» Deaf Hope Services

Deaf Hope is a new specialist domestic abuse service for Deaf women and children, and the first service of its kind in the UK. We have been established around 18 months and our current funding is...

» Counselling Directory - search for a counsellor or psychotherapist near you

Counselling Directory was set up as a free, confidential service to encourage those in distress to seek help. Visitors can read about different areas of distress, view useful articles written by counsellors and refine their...

» Help for your Family with Home-Start (Westminster)

We support ANY family in Westminster who needs us, providing there is at least 1 child under 5. Rich or poor, settled or transient.Our trained volunteers help to give encouragement and support to change the pattern of troubled lives...

» Westminster Wellbeing - Free NHS service promoting Health and Wellbeing

Westminster Wellbeing is a free NHS service promoting health and wellbeing within communities and organisations in Westminster. We provide a range of services which include training and workshops for community organisations...

» Jobs/Volunteering