Asian Elders Research Project Annual Review Meeting
In May 2008 the Mind in Harrow and the University of Lancashire completed a valuable piece of research based on the Asian Elders in Harrow. Many organisations were involved in the work, including CNWL and Bentley House, particularly Dr Claire Hilton. The research highlighted that there was a need for considerable work to be done to assist older Gujarati-speaking Asian adults in Harrow accessing Mental Health Services. Five recommendations were arrived at:
1) All Harrow mental health services should recognise and offer Gujarati-specific service options.
2) The services should pro-actively recruit Gujarati-speaking workers
3)To promote capacity building in the local communities, work should be undertaken there to improve the information available, create positive links between the cultural needs of the Gujarati-speaking Asian elders and service providers
4)Provide training opportunities to service users and carers who have identified that they would value much more information,knowledge and awareness of mental health issues.
5)Gujarati speaking elderly communities and service users should be involved in monitoring and reviewing the services, and in the development of new ways of reaching those in need.
As a Mental Health Community Development Worker I was to address how the Recommendations could be achieved.
The Asian Elders Research Project Annual Review Meeting at Harrow Baptist Church, College Road, Harrow HA1 1BA on Tuesday 23rd March, 10am-2pm will be a 'feedback' session to the Asian Elders who took part in the project, the staff and other partners and organisations who we worked with.
It will be a lively session with 'talking tables,' Speakers,lunch, networking opportunities, and a 'surprise' creative component.