Community Development Workers

Community Development Workers (CDW's) are a large and invaluable resource for the DRE programme.  In the West Midlands there are 54 whole time equivalent CDW's in post.  CDW's are having a positive impact on services' ability to reach all of their local population.  The CDW's role may vary according to local community need, but four key functions define it

• Change agent - by identifying gaps in services and developing innovative practice
• Service developer - by promoting joint working, education and training
• Capacity builder in BME communities
• Access facilitator - to services through community resources and by overcoming language and cultural barriers

CDW Resources available here

Please see the National Mental Health Equalities website at  www.mentalhealthequalities.org.uk to find out what CDWs are doing nationally.

Community Engagement Projects

Community Engagement Programme

This report is of the community research project focusing on the level of interaction between black and minority ethnic individuals aged 50 and over and service providers in relation to mental well being Worcestershire. 

Report of the Community Led Research Project focussing on the Mental Health needs of BME young people.

Report focussing on the needs of BME carers who care for those with dementia in the Ladywood area of Birmingham. 

Report on the mental health needs of asylum seeker refugee men and women in the West Midlands. 

Rethink Community Engagement Project; the Pakistani Community's view of Mental Health and Mental Health Services in Birmingham: report from the Aap Ki Awaaz project.

An independent evaluation of these projects showed that community organisations have grown stronger. The projects have also led to the employment of local community members as community development workers (CDWs).

Details of further Community Engagement Projects can be viewed here.

Bi-lingual (Chinese) Mental Health Handbook; This report aims to give you an understanding of the common mental health problems, how to recognise the symptoms and ways you can access help.