Supporting new arrival communities since 2022
Grace, works as the Health and Wellbeing Officer at RMC, and began working with RMC in 2022. When she arrives in the office each morning, she knows that no two days will ever look the same.
Her work revolves around helping people navigate the healthcare system. This can feel daunting for those who have recently arrived in the UK or face additional barriers including language, or immigration status, but Grace is part of a team that empower beneficiaries through knowledge.
Since joining RMC in May 2022, she has helped many people access GP, dental, and eye care services, mental health support, and community-based wellbeing initiatives.. Her efforts enable our beneficiaries’ access to the essential care they need as well as ensuring continuity of care for those with long-term health conditions.
Support from the very start
The first step each day is to triage cases, to asses which individuals require urgent attention. This could be beneficiaries who need help registering with a GP, applying for an HC2 Certificate (provides full help with health costs for people on a low income), need a translator/interpreter for a hospital visit or other needs.
Grace is a trained Mental Health First Aider, and works with beneficiaries with mental health needs, facilitating their access to care and referring to RMCs on-site Community Psychiatric Nurse. Whatever the situation, Grace helps in explaining the support process and booking follow-ups to make sure every beneficiary receives the required attention.
During her appointments Grace helps those needing health support by making the calls to relevant departments, educating beneficiaries on the services they are entitled to and how to access them, filling out the application/ registration forms, and arranging appointments often on the same day.
Making a life-changing difference
As a Health and Wellbeing officer, Grace’s work doesn’t stop at health appointments. It also involves supporting families facing poverty to access nutritious food through referrals to the Healthy Start scheme.
Families with young children struggling to meet their needs are also connected to local baby banks that provide prams, pushchairs, and baby clothing. Grace assists pregnant women to obtain their MAT B1 forms and apply for additional support payment. This includes through Migrant Help for those under Section 95 or Section 4 asylum support.
She also supports those struggling to make ends meet by arranging food bank referrals and sharing information about community shops, where beneficiaries can manage their money and become more independent.
These tasks can be life-changing for the beneficiaries involved, removing unnecessary stress and restoring trust in UK systems.
Grace is passionate about preventative health support and believes early intervention is key to long-term wellbeing. Her experience as a Health and Wellbeing Officer has shown that timely advice can greatly improve individual outcomes.
“I am passionate about promoting preventative health, with essential early intervention, I aim to help reduce and prevent more serious health issues down the line. This being a huge benefit both for the individuals and the wider NHS health care service.”
She regularly refers beneficiaries to the Swap to Stop scheme, helping them quit smoking through one-to-one support. She also partners with Embrace, Wolverhampton’s sexual health service, booking testing appointments, increasing awareness on sexual health through distribution of free condoms for those aged 16+ and guiding younger clients to specialist support via Embrace. Grace also works closely with the charity Periods Matter, distributing free sanitary products and toiletries to those in need.
When asked what she likes about her role, Grace shared “Working for a charity means I am able to have a meaningful impact on people’s lives, especially those who are most vulnerable or underserved. I love being able to empower others which can be life changing, allowing clients to be able to achieve better Mental, and Physical health, and over all wellbeing which is vital.”
Grace embodies the very essence of RMC’s mission: to ensure that everyone, regardless of status or circumstance, has the chance to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life.
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