The mental health development worker post is shared by two part-time staff and came into being as a result of increasing mental health queries by our clients. Refugees and asylum seekers living in the community face restricted access to work, education, housing, welfare, and - in some situations - to basic health care services. This has a strong effect on their psychological state. We are often the first point of contact for refugees and asylum seekers who have difficulty in securing access and information about mental health services in different languages.

The aim of our Mental Health Development workers is to

• facilitate access for refugees and asylum seekers to mental health and NHS services in Southwark (referring, as appropriate, to our key referrals agencies, develop pathway plans to address their needs and effective intervention);

• assist in the development of new partnerships to raise awareness about mental health issues of refugees and asylum seekers within the local Primary Care Trust and other mental health agencies.

• contribute towards the Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers's  vision and strategic development, improvement of day centre services  and exploration of mental health training for staff and volunteers.