Health and Wellbeing

For many years The Race Equality Centre (TREC) has actively promoted equality of opportunity and outcomes to enhance the quality of life for racial minority groups. This work includes assisting refugees and new arrivals to the city. 

As an organisation TREC has recognised that individuals to whom we provide services have specific needs. For refugees and new arrivals, these include understanding the complexities of the benefits system, acquiring accommodation, understanding employment processes, identifying with neighbours and communities and, the means by which personal circumstances can be addressed. Many of our clients who access our services would have at some point experienced varying degrees of trauma (of war, and conflict etc.), separation from family, hazardous journeys, exploitation, violence, and the difficulties and stress caused by the immigration process. Further, upon receiving a positive decision, the (strained) ability to adapt and the transitioning to their ‘now’ new country, environment differences, social settings and their new homes will sometimes further exacerbate their health and emotional wellbeing needs. 

This element often goes unnoticed and unidentified due to various internal and external barriers, to include cultural awareness, language, a lack of awareness and/or understanding of own wellbeing needs. Many clients will also have experienced stigma, discrimination, and racism. 

TREC receives individuals presenting as vulnerable, disempowered, socially isolated and lonely, not only from their communities also the wider society. 

TREC’s Health and Wellbeing Officer is here to be of assistance and guide, to help navigate clients through the various systems that are available within the communities and wider society. This includes accessing and liaising with voluntary and private sector organisations and, primary care services. 

The Officer will enable individuals to recognise their needs and wants, creating the capacity to sustain and maintain a health and wellbeing balance through creating an insight and understanding of the processes, help and support currently available, which would have been unfamiliar to them. 

The Health and Wellbeing Officer is here to enable individuals to overcome barriers to their quality of care, by holistically identifying and addressing the needs and wants, providing a person-centred approach.