Community Embedded Worker (CEW)

Trusted links between communities and health services

For many migrants and refugees, navigating the NHS can feel overwhelming. Language barriers, cultural differences and fear of authority mean people often delay seeking help. The Community Embedded Worker programme was designed to change that.

CEWs are NHS mental health practitioners who spend part of their time working directly within community organisations. Based in trusted local spaces, they act as a bridge between communities and the health system — ensuring support feels accessible, respectful and safe.

“Having [a CEW] embedded in Lewisham Refugee Migrant Network has given refugees and migrants a direct, compassionate and effective route into mental health services”
— Alan Robertson, CEO at LRMN

What we do

  • Direct support: CEWs run one-to-one and group sessions to help people understand and use NHS mental health services.

  • Build capacity: Provide training and resources to community staff so they can continue to support residents confidently.

  • Adapt services: Feed back to NHS teams about barriers faced by migrants and refugees, shaping services to meet real needs.

  • Respond to crises: Offer rapid support in the community during incidents that impact residents’ wellbeing.

  • Share learning: Deliver training to NHS staff, and include CEWs in professional development programmes.

Growing the role

The pilot started with CEWs working one day per week across community organisations in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

The impact has been so positive that from April 2025, the Lewisham role has been made full-time, with plans to expand further.

Impact so far

  • Improved trust between communities and local NHS services.

  • More people accessing talking therapies for the first time.

  • Stronger collaboration between grassroots organisations and statutory services.

  • NHS staff reporting greater awareness and confidence in working with diverse communities.

Next steps

  • Extend CEW posts to more boroughs.

  • Use insights from the evaluation to strengthen training and supervision.

  • Build long-term sustainability so CEWs remain a core part of south London’s health and care system.

Resources