Rebuilding Lives (360G-IHC-CC2021_126)

COVID19 related funding. This project is co-designed with current and former clients from their lived experience. We plan to offer: 1. Fortnightly culturally conscious 2 hour-training workshops for 20 African women participants per workshop to share experience and keep informed of developments affecting their community, including explaining current government entitlements and benefits, prevalent Covid19-related requirements and restrictions, support to achieve a healthy lifestyle; types of illness and prevention; stress reduction methods; advising on processes and form filling; getting the best out of healthcare (including test and trace and vaccination); staying safe; accessing food banks. 2. Weekly 2-hour facilitated focus groups (8-10 participants) to enable them share experience and be offered emotional wellbeing support to help cope with anxiety, low self-esteem, confusion (in many cases exacerbated by Covid19 disruption, long term illness, job loss, stress, or bereavement) and also to reassure those wary of having a vaccination. 3. One-to-one holistic advice (via drop-in, telephone or home visit) to those in need, on the issues raised in the workshops and focus groups above, and referral to other teams within AWC on: supporting domestic violence survivors with life skills, including managing debt and budgeting; individualised welfare benefits advice; support with access and ongoing use of substance abuse services; securing legal advice and assistance around child support, injunctions against perpetuator, child residence; advocacy support to mothers with social service around compliance with Child Protection regulations etc; securing refuge accommodation where needed; advocacy support securing social housing as resettlement accommodation (or private if social housing is not available); support with removal and equipping a new tenancy – utilities, accessing furniture etc; settling into and maintaining a new tenancy; help with sourcing school places where children are moved; reinforcing compliance with safety measures placed, e.g. injunctions to reduce incidents of repeat victimisation. 4. We will work closely with our local GP surgeries on cross referral and information sharing (with service user consent) and refer to local service providers and community groups depending on needs regarding employment, dealing with debt, claiming benefits, health provision, befriending, volunteering opportunities and community leisure and social activities. Service users who are anxious or confused or with poor English will be accompanied for support. 5. We will also run events to engage people and allow time for enjoyment – e.g. sharing African traditional cuisine, African song and dance. Through these activities we expect the women to become more connected to their communities, more friendships and less socially isolated, with strategies for healthier living and improved awareness of how to access and get the best out of health and other local public services; plus increased self-confidence, motivation, emotional resilience and hope for the future.