Appeal for immigrants to help health service (From Thisisdorset)

Appeal for immigrants to help health service

9:50am Monday 31st December 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

EASTERN European people in Weymouth and Portland can have their say about life in Dorset and help improve mental health services.

A series of discussion sessions are being held throughout January for adults who originate from 'A8' countries - Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, or Slovenia.

The idea is that those living or working in Dorset for no less than six months and not more than 10 years can share their experiences and help shape future decision-making for mental health services.

The project is organised by West Dorset Rethink Services - a national charity for mental health issues, with Dorset Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Operations team leader for Weymouth and Portland's Rethink charity Andrew Court said it aims to combat the national trend that shows a disproportionate amount of people from black and ethnic minority (BME) populations being detained with mental health issues.

He said: "This is about delivering race equality, effective communication, general information and to make sure our services are able to react in a positive way when people from different cultures come in.

"Especially people who struggle with the language or come from different cultures it may be more scary for them.

"We've got all the information on leaflets in English but if you can't read English it's not much help. Until we can get really accurate figures of who our population is we don't want to print off leaflets in languages that may not be used."

Mr Court said National Insurance number registrations show a large number of Eastern Europeans particularly the Polish community coming into Dorset.

He added that the project was appealing to all Eastern Europeans and not just those using the mental health service.

NI number registrations show arrivals from the A8 countries have risen since the European Union was extended in 2004 - with Eastern Europeans accounting for 50 per cent of Dorset's immigrants in 2006/7 - more than 800 individuals.

The discussion sessions will be run by researchers with the help of translators.

Participants must be aged between 18 and 65 years. Refreshments will be supplied and all travel and childcare costs will be covered.

To find out more or to book a place on a session call Andrew Court on 01305 766193 or Ruth Brown on 01305 361455.