Ashraf

Ashraf has a degree in IT Multimedia and Business Information Systems and has worked in the voluntary sector for 3 years. His interest in Community Work stems from voluntary work undertaken while completing his degree. Ashraf’s last position was in Camden and this enabled him to build on his in-depth knowledge of working with BME Communities in particular around cultural diversity.

As a Community Development Worker, Ashraf is based in the densely populated Dalgarno area. He will provide a drop-in service where his role involves helping people to access appropriate services, filling in self referral forms, translating for people, explaining how a particular service works and what rights they have as a service user. In addition, Ashraf will be promoting awareness of mental health, ensuring that mental health services are more culturally competent and therefore appropriate for the local community.

Elicia

Elicia has recently finished a MSc. in Mental Health Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College. She has been working in the field of mental health since 2006 focusing on work with the diverse BME communities within London and until recently was a CDW in Lambeth.

As the Senior CDW, Elicia is responsible for co-ordinating the project and the work of the team. Her experience of working as a CDW has enabled her to setup solid foundations for the 4minds Project. She has re-established the BME Local Implementation Team meetings in the borough which review and influence the full range of services that support people from the BME communities experiencing mental health problems. In addition, Elicia reports back to the 4minds partnership and is responsible for liaising with KC-PCT.

Jill

Jill is a qualified Youth & Community Worker who has lived and worked in Kensington & Chelsea for over 20 years. She started as a volunteer at the Rugby Clubs and ended up managing various Youth Clubs in both the north and south of the Borough. More recently, Jill managed the SHOUT Project, a health initiative co-ordinated by the Dalgarno Neighbourhood Trust. The project was set up to address the health inequalities in the area while raising awareness of living a healthier lifestyle for local residents.

As a Community Development worker, Jill is based at MyGeneration on the Golborne. Her role includes raising awareness of mental health issues and providing an opportunity for local people to discuss these issues. In addition, she will be looking at how the current mental health services could better serve the local BME communities and ensuring that people have access to information about appropriate services and keeping emotionally healthy.

Shabana

After completing her language studies at university, Shabana has worked in the voluntary sector for the past 6 years and her last job was working for a sexual health and drugs agency in Earls Court providing advice, information and guidance to people involved in the sex trade and substance mis-users.

Shabana is our Team Administrator and has been involved since the project’s inception. She is responsible for setting up a range of systems including finance, monitoring & evaluation and the co-ordination of operations. Shabana assists with promoting the project at various events and undertakes training and focus groups with the team.