The Advice First Aid (AFA) project, led by Citizens Advice Wandsworth, is a proactive initiative aimed at training Community Champions to offer vital assistance to fellow citizens in need. These Community Champions serve as a critical link connecting people facing a variety of challenges with the essential support services necessary to improve their situations. A strong emphasis is placed on the most vulnerable groups; the elderly, isolated individuals, those with mental health issues, physical and learning disabilities, care needs, and migrant and refugee communities experiencing hardship.

Beyond crisis intervention, AFA also delves into addressing the root causes of these challenges. It provides guidance and referrals on critical issues such as employment, homelessness, debt management, and health problems. The initiative fosters collaborative forums that bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including citizens, service users, commissioners, and providers. Through these forums and conferences, they create spaces for open dialogue, enabling discussions on inequalities and shared solutions to better respond to the complex challenges faced by the community.

This is a Wandsworth-wide Forum that meets bi-monthly at Balham Library, with over a decade of operation. It includes voluntary and community-based services, faith-based and non-religious groups, local authority personnel, and representatives from the Southwest London and St. George’s (SWLSTG) Mental Health Trust.

The Forum’s main goal is to address racial disparities in the mental health system, focusing on access, experiences, and outcomes for Black and Brown individuals. It provides a platform for BME community and voluntary services to engage with SWLSTG Mental Health Trust and Wandsworth’s Local Authority. Over the years, the Forum has driven change, including the creation of the Ethnicity Mental Health Project (EMHIP) to address racial inequalities. It has also facilitated borough-wide conferences like “Healing Our Broken Village (HOBV)” and “Children & Young People Conference.

The Healing Our Broken Village Conference annually addresses the specific mental health challenges confronting black communities, advocating for substantial change with three key requests:

are community gatherings designed to support individuals in their journey toward improved health and well-being. These events take place in various local venues, from places of worship to community centres, creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

During these events, participants receive thorough health assessments, including measurements like height, weight, waist size, and blood pressure checks. The Diabetes UK risk tool is utilised to assess diabetes risk, and BMI calculations are provided. Participants are encouraged to complete health lifestyle questionnaires to better understand their well-being.

The highlight of these events is the opportunity for one-on-one sessions with trained health coaches. These coaches engage in motivational conversations, addressing topics like healthy lifestyle choices, eating habits, stress management, and overall health promotion. Importantly, health coaches don’t provide medical advice but create a supportive and open space for participants to explore their health and well-being goals. Moreover, depending on the event’s size and community preferences, attendees can partake in exercise sessions, gentle yoga, cultural food demonstrations, and more.

The CEN Weight Management Programme is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing obesity within underserved communities, notably focusing on the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) population of Wandsworth. Obesity presents significant health risks, including reduced life expectancy and weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This groundbreaking program offers a culturally adapted Tier 2 Weight Management Course, integrating diet, exercise, and behavior change strategies.

Unlike traditional weight management services, our program recognizes the importance of cultural perspectives in tackling weight issues, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness. Through educational workshops, exercise sessions, cultural food demonstrations, and personalized coaching, participants receive tailored support rooted in their cultural backgrounds. Our commitment extends beyond the 12-week duration, providing ongoing assistance to sustain participants’ weight management progress.

The Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) is a community-driven initiative committed to addressing ethnic disparities in mental health care. EMHIP’s focus lies in improving access, enhancing experiences, and ultimately achieving better outcomes for Black Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. This collaborative project involves local mental health trust SWLSTG, South West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Merton & Wandsworth Locality, and BME voluntary, faith, and community groups facilitated by WCEN.