Bridge of Hope’s Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers are bringing more support than ever to victims and survivors of the conflict with their range of services.
Jim McGivern and Brendan Brownlee are based at Ashton’s McSweeney Centre in Henry Place and have a special role to play in meeting the needs of local people affected by the conflict.
Jim and Brendan are here to discuss your needs, and to help local people access services and support to meet those needs. They will treat your query in confidence and assist you to access services, information, and support to improve your health and wellbeing.
They have experience of working with victims and survivors, and understand that your needs can be complex and can change over time. These can range from befriending to welfare advice, education and training support, disability aids, and psychological therapies. They can also help you engage with community and voluntary services in your area, and with statutory services too.
The Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers will meet you to establish what your needs are and can then advocate on your behalf to government or community agencies. They can undertake home visits where people may be housebound due to health issues.
The Caseworkers can, if necessary, accompany individuals to appointments or activities where low confidence and motivation is contributing to feelings of isolation.
The Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers are the first point of contact for enquiries, and will liaise with agencies ensuring that complex and sensitive information is explained with empathy and reassurance.
A key aspect of the role is to identify any barriers people may experience when seeking support and to work with relevant agencies to ensure good access.
These roles have been made possible with PEACE IV funding secured through the Victims & Survivors Service (VSS).
The service operates in a highly confidential environment and places victims and survivors emotional and physical wellbeing to the forefront.
If you would like to get in touch with Jim or Brendan phone the McSweeney Centre on 028 9032 2289 or email jim.mcgivern@ashtoncentre.com and brendan.brownlee@ashtoncentre.com
For a leaflet detailing more about the PEACE IV network of victim and survivor support, copy this link into your internet browser: http://www.victimsservice.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A4-to-A5-Caseworker-Network-FINAL-Jan18.pdf
Bridge of Hope is a department of Ashton Community Trust.