About Us
Vanclaron CHATS CIC was founded in October 2019 by Dr. Edithmadonna Iheama who, having been an NHS Public Health Practitioner, leading a range of health promotion programmes, found herself becoming an asylum seeker in the UK. Through her personal experiences with the inequalities and challenges faced by her and her young family, Dr. Iheama identified a significant gap in support for BAMER (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and Refugee) communities, particularly highlighting the disconnect between clinical referrals and NHS services. This insight led to the establishment of Vanclaron CHATS to address these critical needs.
At Vanclaron, we recognise that underrepresented and marginalised communities, especially within the BAMER population, encounter numerous barriers in managing their wellbeing. These barriers include stigma, financial pressures, deprivation, a lack of culturally specific services, inadequate information, insufficient practical support, and distrust in mainstream providers.
To address these challenges, we aim to make health and wellbeing services more inclusive and accessible. Our team, composed primarily of individuals from the target communities or with relevant lived experiences, ensures that our services are culturally sensitive and competent. We offer non-clinical, evidence-based support focused on empowering such vulnerable and marginalised individuals with self-management skills. Our goal is to enable them to actively engage in their health and lifestyle decisions, thereby enhancing their overall wellbeing and breaking cycles of social and economic inequality that persist across generations.
Our wellbeing hub offers free, confidential assistance for mental health, substance abuse, physical health, and employment-related issues. Moreover, we run a range of workshops designed to enhance various aspects of wellbeing. These include employability skills sessions, including ESOL classes, CV writing, interview preparation, personal branding, and digital inclusion. In addition, we run physical activity sessions, such as yoga and wellbeing walks, to enhance both physical and mental health. Our workshops also cover managing common mental health and chronic conditions, equipping participants with essential knowledge to live a balanced and healthy life.
Recognising the role of creativity, we offer workshops in cooking, gardening, and journaling to foster personal expression and improve mental and emotional health. These activities not only contribute to individual wellbeing but also build a strong sense of community, reducing loneliness through connection, teamwork, and friendship.
Learn more here: https://vanclaronchats.co.uk/
Achieving Financial Independence: Inclusive Financial Wellbeing and Literacy Workshops
A new project we plan to develop through this crowdfunding campaign are inclusive and supportive financial wellbeing and literacy workshops that address the needs of those facing the cost-of-living crisis, with a particular focus on those from the Black, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Refugee, and Asylum-Seeking communities.
We believe financial wellbeing is a critical determinant of long-term health and social outcomes, as financial stress significantly increases the risk of both physical and mental health issues. Yet, financial literacy remains a significant issue in the UK, with 39% of adults lacking confidence in managing their money and nearly 9 million facing severe levels of debt. Moreover, based on informal conversations with our current clients, we've heard that they often feel excluded when approaching professionals to access financial support and advice. This exclusion not only intensifies their financial difficulties but also exacerbates existing health and social inequalities.
To address this, we want to create a welcoming and safe space where we can honour their needs for culturally competent, faith sensitive, and non-judgemental support. In doing so, we will empower marginalised individuals to take control of their financial situation, regardless of their starting point. Our workshops will not only enhance participants' financial skills and knowledge, but also foster social connections and community support, improving overall wellbeing.
Examples of Informative Sessions We Will Offer:
- Introduction to the UK Financial System: A foundational session to help participants understand how the UK financial system operates.
- Debt Management: Practical strategies for managing and reducing debt.
- Budgeting and Saving: Guidance on creating and sticking to a budget, along with effective saving techniques to ensure financial security.
- Understanding and Prioritising Bills: Advice on managing and prioritising bills.
- Money Safety: How to protect oneself from frauds, scams, and the dangers of gambling.
- Benefit Advice for New Refugees: Specialised advice on navigating the UK benefits system, tailored to the unique needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
How Your Donations Will Help
The funds raised will be instrumental in promoting and delivering our financial wellbeing workshops. They will help expand our reach through increased advertising, ensuring more individuals from underrepresented communities can access these resources. Additionally, the funds will enhance workshop quality by incorporating new tools, materials, and teaching methods, and enable us to offer sessions at more flexible times to accommodate diverse schedules.