This campaign has now closed
CARA (Charity No. 1135610) wishes to support the people of our community in Hackney and the surrounding areas who suffer from diabetes. We are dedicated to promote the health, education and social development of all of its members and the public by improving the quality of life of the disadvantaged people and helping them to know and achieve their rights. This includes providing advice and representation, information and signposting in areas covering welfare benefits, employment, housing and health. We are seeking to develop a Diabetes Awareness and Advice Project as part of our objectives in meeting the needs of our community. The Project will raise awareness of diabetes and advise on preventative measures; we will provide a support service for people with diabetes, assuring that they receive their due care, entitlements and benefits, help them to overcome any language difficulties in understanding their rights, and through our support networks improve the quality of their lives.
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Beneficiaries
Situation
The number of people of Central African origin in Hackney and the surrounding areas is 14,424 (Census 2001: Hackney Borough Profile 2006). The number of deaths from diabetes is an astonishing 99% above the national average, (Source: Hackney Borough Profile 2006), with the disease being especially prevalent in the Central African community. For many of these people, English is not their first language; in fact there are 32 different languages that we use in preparing our factsheets. The few existing advice centres in Hackney such as CAB, are already having to increase their waiting times due to their increasing caseloads; waiting times which are further increased by the need to arrange access to interpreters. We are also aware that social care services need to be culturally sensitive. Any donation towards our project would enable us to produce a resource pack containing factsheets about diabetes, detailing all relevant benefits and entitlements to sufferers and also develop a home visit service, where appropriate, for those who are unable to attend our Day Centre. Our volunteer advice workers include qualified lawyers, social workers, nurses and youth workers who work together with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner, Advice UK, Wiseradviser, Hackney Carers' Service, Hackney Council for Voluntary Sector and Hackney Voluntary Action. Our trained and experienced advisors will develop a resource pack relevant to the needs of people with diabetes and will also assist in: i) Identifying appropriate benefits or entitlements for each person ii) Making applications, form filling etc. iii) Overcoming language difficulties iv) Making home visits as relevant or necessary We estimate the cost of producing this pack to be £25,000 and would be truly grateful for a donation towards this amount. Should you wish for any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.