Health Advocacy
The Health Advocacy Service is run by the Volunteer Co-ordinator and a team of about 8 volunteers who speak the main refugee languages and have a range of experience and cultural knowledge. Volunteers are matched with asylum seekers and refugees needing help with
- accessing health and disability benefits and entitlements
- accessing health care and social services
For example, we can help with....
- registering or getting an appointment with a GP or dentist
- accessing other health services including booking interpreters. For instance, people may face barriers to accessing hospital treatment because of language difficulties, unfamiliarity with the system, frequent moving etc.
- getting an HC2 certificate to get free health costs e.g. prescriptions, dental costs, glasses
- claiming welfare benefits e.g. Disability Living Allowance, a Community Care Grant, Carer's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance
- getting practical support and access to services if people are unwell or have a disability
How the Health Advocacy Project works
We see clients by appointment at MRSN or at other places by arrangement e.g. a volunteer may accompany a client to get a disabled bus pass or to register with a service.
The project works closely with the MRSN Advice Service offering additional help to clients who come for advice. We can also take some referrals from other agencies or help people who contact us directly. We are a small service but will try to help if we can. If you would like help or to make a referral please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Mary Atkinson – mary@mrsn.org.uk or phone 0161 202 8918.