BAME Engagement and Outreach
Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Outreach Programme across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
Coronavirus has had a colossal and adverse impact on people, while health and social care messages have not been effectively disseminated to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) This includes key public health messages like social distancing and testing and contract tracing measures.
Our outreach programme endeavours to break down barriers preventing people using the NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect service as well as improve communication between organisations and communities. The project will help to communicate key health messages and dispel any myths and false information.
The programme supports BAME communities challenge the wider range of access to healthcare issues and improving how services can be provided more effectively.
The programme is led by Swansea University Health Board in partnership with both Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot, Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS and NPTCVS). The team are working with partners and other stakeholders, engaging with BAME individuals, groups and organisations aiming to ensure equitable access to health and wellbeing advice and services is available.
The BAME Outreach Project support communities to have a greater understanding of their rights and access to health care, as well as playing an important role in identifying trusted community intermediaries and establishing mechanisms to sustain future engagement.
The project will support the response to COVID-19 outbreaks in local areas using existing networks, skills and services within the BAME communities and third sector organisations, utilising knowledge of the locality, and mobilising others (volunteers, intermediaries, translators etc.).
It will support communities to be enabled, understand their rights and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding themselves and keeping well including supporting communities to understand how they can access health care services.
The team will also capture experience and learning of running a community development outreach programme to inform longer-term provision for BAME and other protected groups in relation to health.
The programme will achieve its aims through 4 strategies:
- Engagement and Outreach
- Accessibility
- Inclusive policy and decision making
- Training and capacity Building
How you or your organisation can support this programme:
- Join local information Health sessions
- Complete our main study Health survey
- Inform us of issues and barriers you hear from the community you support
- Recommend individuals to talk to the team through our focus groups, chai and chat sessions; engage in social media information networks i.e. WhatsApp, etc.
- Highlight to the team any other areas you think need strategic action.
- Share our contacts with those you think can benefit from the service.
The team are happy to bridge that gap.
To find out more, please contact:
Hannah Sabatia: Hannah_sabatia@scvs.org.uk / 07538105650
Shadan Roghani: Shadanr@nptcvs.org.uk / 07542275368
The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Outreach Programme works across Swansea Bay University Health Board to support communication and engagement with BAME communities. Coronovirus has had an adverse impact on people from BAME communities. Health and social care messages have not been effectively disseminated to BAME communities including key public health messages.
The main aim is to address barriers preventing people using the NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect service and support communication between organisations and communities. The project communicates key messages and dispel any myths and false information.
Beyond TTP the team also work with BAME communities on the wider range of access to healthcare issues and improving how services can be provided more effectively for these communities. Working with partners and other stakeholders, the programme engages with BAME individuals, groups and organisations with the aim of ensuring equitable access to health and wellbeing advice and services.
The outreach team will help advise policy makers and the Health Board about best practices to reach communities and build relationships with trusted intermediaries and third sector organisations as part of its work on strategic partnerships and engagement, ensuring services are designed and developed to respond to different individuals and communities’ needs.
Multi-channel communication strategies will be developed with local authorities, Third Sector, BAME community organisations and Public Health Wales to raise awareness and understanding of Test Trace Protect (TTP). They will promote collaborative working to support wider health messaging on preventive services such as screening and health promotion and access to services.
The BAME Outreach team will also support communities to have a greater understanding of their rights and access to health care, as well as playing an important role in identifying trusted community intermediaries and establishing mechanisms to sustain future engagement.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.