Focus on Case-work and Individual Support
Focus on Case-work and Individual Support
By Vincent Manning
This chart represent 36 individuals who have complex needs or complicated situations.
Each of these PLWH needed support between January and September 2024 that could not be provided within the context of a peer support group alone. Often this is because the required expert advice – e.g. in the case of immigration law – cannot be reliably given by our members, even if they themselves have been asylum seekers.
In these cases, it’s our task to assist PLWH to successfully access the right advice and to advocate for them where we can. So far this year 11 PLWH have required individual support in a matter related to immigration. CAPS has submitted four detailed letters of support in respect of individuals seeking leave to remain in the UK at the request of qualified legal advisors.
Other members may have suffered a bereavement or been in hospital. Some are more isolated than others or are elderly and alone. Some people have a mix of lots of support needs at different times in life. Each person is unique. Our model of peer support encourages our members to support each other in different ways and to serve one another but when a person has needs that require more time and attention, our Pastoral Support Worker(s) and dedicated volunteers can step in to serve with time, encouragement and practical assistance.
Research shows that PLWH in this country have significantly higher levels of mental ill-health compared with the general population. So too, many PositiveFaith members have been traumatized or are in crisis. Yet the tasks of everyday life must go on. It can be very challenging for someone new to the country without English as a first language to access welfare benefits, to pay Council tax online, to find a course to learn English or another skill, or to find accommodation – these are only examples and the list could be much longer.
We offer guidance and practical support to help people learn how to navigate systems in the UK and help them develop skills that are needed to survive.
