Advice and Informaton Services
Navigating one's way around the public health and social care arena can be very daunting for many people. This is even more difficult if language and communication pose barriers. So, in 2002, it came as no surprise when the Imperial College published findings of a research in which it was stated that 62% of respondents wanted advice and support for issues such as Housing; Employment; Healthcare and Welfare benefits - particularly pensions.
In response, QPBA offers an Advice, Guidance, Information and Advocacy Service to people of Bengali origins in Queens Park, Harrow Road, Maida Vale and Westbourne Park areas.
Objectives of the project
The main aims of the project are that the Bangladeshi Community in Queens Park, Harrow Road, Maida Vale and Westbourne Park areas have:
- access to information, resources and facilities to support their daily lives
- access benefits to which they may be entitled;
- support in completing various benefits forms;
- opportunities to improve their living standard and quality of life by taking initiatives to overcome poverty and discrimination,
- support that enables them communicate effectively with statutory, commercial and other voluntary sector groups and other communities;
- support in seeking employment, preparing CVs, completing employment application forms, etc.
We undertake the following tasks in helping and supporting our community:
- Completing forms of various agencies of the Department of Social Security( Welfare Benefits);
- Provide advice & Information on Housing, Re-housing, Rent Arrears, Repairs & Maintenance, Homelessness, Council Tax etc;
- Education and Employment Advice;
- Interpretation and Translation Services;
- Consumer & General Contract: Utilities , Bill Queries etc;
- Debts, Bailiffs and Financial Matters;
- Health promotion advice & Information sessions;
- Drug Awareness & referral service; & Disability Issues and Retirement Pensions Information & Advice.
- Confidential support and referral for victims of Domestic Violence and Racial Harassment.
Expected outcomes of the project:
QPBA needs to know that it is contributing to the upliftment of Bangladeshi people in the target areas. To do this, we monitor our work against the following outcomes:- Increase in proportion of Bangladeshi Community being provided with information, advice and guidance and where appropriate representation can be made;
- To enable choice and take greater control over their own lives and work towards overcoming poverty and social isolation;
- More people from the Bangladeshi community accessing services that will help improve their standard or quality of life;
- Increase in proportion of Bangladeshi people with self advocacy skills and increase in the number of successful appeals and complaints to statutory bodies;
- Provide specifically designed programmes for the bilingual Bangladeshi Minority Communities who are disadvantaged and deprived, on low income, unemployed and with a low educational attainment.