Black & Ethnic Minority Community Care Forum

What is the East London Self Help Network?

The East London Self Help Network is a project covering the East London Boroughs of Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The projects exist to support and promote self help groups that are run by and for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, HIV, mental health, asthma, etc).

The project can also provide information about self help for other types of voluntary organisations or professionals. For example, helping you to find where the nearest self help group is for a patent or client.

What does the Network do?

The aim of the project is to create a strong and vibrant network of self help groups across East London. We are developing:

• Opportunities for self help groups to network and offer each other mutual support.
• A database of self help groups in Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.
• A self help web site run by volunteers living with sensory or physical disabilities or long-term health conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, mental health, HIV, asthma, etc).
• A newsletter to promote self help and the activities of local groups.
• An information line for self help groups, providing details on local groups, how to set up a self help group, etc.
• Outreach support and training in group development for new and existing self help groups.
• Improved links between self help groups, policy-makers and funders.

For more information contact:
Sahdia Warraich (Director)
Black & Ethnic Minority Community Care Forum
St. Marks Community Centre
Tollgate Road
Beckton
London E6 5YA
Tel 020 7474 3176