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| London Advocacy Training |
| This pilot project in the Chinese community addresses the issue of providing advocacy for one of the increasing number of scattered linguistic communities living in London and throughout the UK. It aims to improve access and sensitivity of health and social welfare services to the most deprived and isolated sectors of the Chinese community in Greater London. It also aims to develop the capacity of people in the Chinese community to articulate their needs with regards to service provision. |
| This project has recruited and trained over 20 volunteers to accompany non English-speaking Chinese to doctors' surgeries and hospitals. Bi-lingual Health Advocates will not only act as interpreters, but also to empower the patients to speak their mind, express their concern and to obtain the level of service otherwise denied to them due to the language and cultural differences. |
| Advocacy service is available free of charge at our London centre, helping with application forms and other paperwork and facilitating them to access health and welfare services more effectively. |
| Volunteers have been trained to the highest level of LOCN (London Open College Network) accreditation. Weekly training sessions began in early October 2002. Volunteers have gained practical experience after about 8 weeks' of induction. The course runs for about 6 months after which the trainees will have an option to seek employment as qualified Health Advocates or to stay with us as volunteers. We offer our volunteers ongoing support, training and opportunities for professional and personal development. |
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