Healthwatch Salford announce funding for two local charities to lead vital new project
These are the first groups to receive the new grants from Healthwatch Salford.
Europia, a leading multi-lingual charity, and SARELI (Salford Refugee Link), who provide help and support for refugees in the UK, are the first groups to receive the new grants.
The funding will enable the charities to lead innovative projects across the next three months, collecting crucial feedback on different areas of health and social care services.
The research collected will help to create a better understanding of people's experiences, whilst identifying any barriers which local people may be facing, which may otherwise go undetected.
Europia provides European nationals across Greater Manchester with services such as welfare advice, EUSS support, legal surgeries, telebefriending, counselling and emergency funds.
We're really excited to work with Healthwatch Salford to carry out the Speak Up Salford project.
We were thrilled when we saw Healthwatch Salford was organising a grant which will empower specialist organisations like ourselves to further engage the communities we support. It is really important we hear from EU communities in Salford so that health and social care services take their specific needs into account.
SARELI’s project will give refugees in Salford a platform to share their experiences of health and social care through both virtual interviews and drop-in sessions.
Their project aims to highlight the experiences of those who are suffering or are likely to suffer from mental health problems, influenced by COVID-19 and other life challenges that they might be facing.
At the end of the project, findings will be shared with commissioners and providers to recommend how services can best cater to people in the city.
We are delighted to have awarded both Europia and SARELI the first grants from the Speak Up Salford Fund and are looking forward to working with them to help members of the public feel heard.
At Healthwatch Salford we are eager to work with a variety of groups who by no means need to be the experts on health and social care themselves – what matters is the link they already have to Salford residents, so together we can start these important conversations about how the health and social care system is working for local people
Applications for the next Speak Up Salford Fund grants are now live. Local organisations and community groups are encouraged to apply at any time as the deciding panel will review applications on a monthly basis until such a time that the fund runs out.
To find out more information about the Speak Up Salford Fund, please visit the our Speak Up Salford information page here or contact Scarlett Ash, Volunteer and Involvement Officer:
scarlett@healthwatchsalford.co.uk
0330 355 0300
