Besstel runs a community advocacy project to support BAME service users who suffer or at risk of suffering from mental and emotional health problems as a result of social pressures such as the risk of loss of tenancy; loss or risk of loss of welfare benefits; and immigration issues.
We have worked closely with Local Authority Housing Services to retain tenancy rights for some of our service users at risk of losing their tenancy as a result of loss of employment or income.
Our Outreach workers who also double as advocates provide a platform for the exchange of views, opinions and explore options to particular problems they may have. The advocates provide key information to service users to assist them make informed choices and decisions and provide relevant and appropriate contacts. The advocates in most cases, lead in making contacts and making representations on behalf of the service users, especially when they have no capacity or the confidence to do so themselves.
Besstel has so far provided community advocacy support to six (6) service users in housing related issues and two (2) in immigration cases.