A Partnership approach to Settling Well in Sandwell
Do you know of any Sandwell residents who have arrived in the UK in the last two years, who are in need of practical help and support to enable them to adjust to life in Sandwell and access the services that they need?
Citizens Advice Sandwell have a team of skilled Community Navigators who are able to:
• Accompany clients to appointments at job centres, GPs
• Help clients to register with GPs, dentists
• Obtain a NI number
• Access other services such as English classes
• Access advice on benefits, housing, immigration
• Give information on healthcare including covid-19 public health guidance.
The support is delivered in partnership with Brushstrokes who are able to provide specialist advice.
Although funding conditions mean that Settling Well is unable to support asylum seekers or people with no recourse to public funds, Navigators are able to refer them to other services funded to provide that help.
Navigators have a range of community languages including Bangladeshi, Polish, Italian, French, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, Dutch and Dari. They can provide longer term support than most services. Even if a resident has been helped with an immediate issue, Settling Well can assist them to put down roots and make a positive contribution to Sandwell.
The team of Navigators are returning from furlough in and have lots of capacity to support newcomers. They will be able to provide face to face support in a neutral community venue, such as a community centre, place of worship or coffee shop.
To make a referral Telephone: 0121 553 6431 (Option 5) or email settlingwell@citizensadvicesandwell.org.uk.