Our Bilingual Community Navigation (Social Prescribing casework) service has been running since 2018. This support has made a real difference to the lives of many of our Service Users.
Our Bilingual Community Navigators take a holistic approach and offer support on a wide range of issues which are impacting the Service User’s health and wellbeing.
Here is a recent example of the help they provide.
Service User K was referred to us by another local migrant support charity, Voices in Exile.
K had been living with her young child in emergency accommodation for nearly two years. She was struggling financially and needed to buy beds for herself and her child as well as a washing machine and a fridge. She was also looking for help to access ESOL classes.
Having agreed an action plan with K, our BCN helped with the following:
- An application to the council’s Local Discretionary Social Fund. She received links for food and clothing vouchers. Her application for beds, household items, electricity and travel expenses was declined but they referred her to an energy advice service, LEAP, to give her advice about budgeting, energy and assist her in maximising her income.
- Referral to Money Advice Plus. Had a telephone appointment with a debt advisor who advised that they would support K with the following:
- Application to the Southern Water Hardship Fund.
- Application for the EDF hardship grant.
- Application for the EnergyWorks project fund.
- Childcare support – Healthy start vouchers.
- Information on how to get free vitamins.
- Information on how to get a free Optician voucher.
- The link to apply for the Wi-Fi social tariff.
Our BCN booked a second appointment with MAP and supported to complete the EDF hardship grant application.
- Application to The Brighton Fund for a grant for a washing machine, sofa, beds & mattresses.
- Referral to online English classes with Conversation Over Borders.
- Referred for an ESOL course with the council’s Adult Education Hub and to the free English language classes with trainee teachers at University of Sussex.
- Registered K with a local dental surgery and made a first appointment.
At the end of the case, K provided the following feedback:
‘’This is the first time I have someone to support me with so many things. Thank you. Although I still have the housing issue, I feel that I achieved many things with your support.’’
Note: We collaborate with Bilingual Community Navigators to write these stories but remove their names, the language used and other details to ensure confidentiality for Service Users.
