Community Embedded Worker

Migrant communities experience a range of challenges when accessing NHS services so leaders across South London came together to embed mental health practitioners in institutions people already know and trust.

Through this, we funded community embedded workers to be based within community organisations to provide support. We worked with community leaders to successfully recruit three Community Embedded Workers in Lambeth, Southwark, and Lewisham.

The pilot is now taking place in 5 partner organisations: Lewisham Refugee & Migrant Network, South London Refugee Association, Christian International Peace Service Angell Town, Surrey Square Primary School and Spring Community Hub.

Community Embedded workers are delivering 1-2-1 and group advice sessions, supporting people with referrals to mental health services, developing culturally relevant material and resources and helping existing staff to provide low-level support through training so that the benefits of the work can be maintained at a local level.

Community Embedded Worker Pilot Evaluation Framework can be downloaded here.

Community Embedded Worker Pilot Evaluation can be downloaded here.

Laura Parsons, Community Embedded Worker for Lewisham

Three community embedded practitioners have been appointed at South London and Maudsley to build trust and provide services for refugee, migrant and diaspora communities.