May 14, 2021
Why being culturally specific is important to wellbeing
Lewisham Community Wellbeing is a mental health service that provides emotional and cultural specific support that understands the struggles of BAME and migrant communities.
LRMN aims to empower our clients and give them the tools they need to thrive in their communities. This includes providing mental health support. That is why we are proud to be part of the Lewisham Community Wellbeing partnership (LCW), a unique service that works in collaboration with local organisations.
The service is delivered by Bromley, Lewisham & Greenwich Mind through a variety of workshops, group meetings and one-to-one support. However, what makes it special is that by working with other local charities and public sector organisations, LWC is informed of the problems different communities have and what other support groups are available in Lewisham.
As a partner, LRMN is able to support the LCW with an informed perspective of the difficulties that refugees and migrants endure when adapting to a new environment and of the challenges they have to overcome in the immigration process. For example, the effects of the Home Office’s hostile environment policy accessing essential services like healthcare and public funds.
“We are aware of the kind of issues people of color face and the many barriers that immigration presents. At Lewisham Community Wellbeing we provide culturally specific support which emphasises the voices and shared experiences of different communities. We give the clients a platform where they can feel understood when they talk about their struggles and receive emotional support,” said Richard, LRMN’s community wellbeing and engagement manager.
To receive the Lewisham Community Wellbeing service people can be referred by a GP or by one of the partners: Bromley, Lewisham & Greenwich Mind, Sydenham Garden, METRO, the NHS South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust, and the Lewisham Refugee and Migrants Network.