The project focuses on addressing the mental health, learning difficulties, and autism needs of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Northampton, United Kingdom. It aims to create an online platform, www.cohesivesociety.org, specifically tailored to cater to the unique challenges faced by this community. The platform will serve as a comprehensive resource hub, providing culturally sensitive information, support, and connections to relevant services.
Objectives
a. Cultural Sensitivity: Develop content and resources that take into account the cultural nuances and specific challenges faced by the Bangladeshi diaspora in Northampton.
b. Increase Awareness: Raise awareness about mental health, learning difficulties, and autism within the Bangladeshi community through culturally appropriate educational materials and targeted awareness campaigns.
c. Support Services: Provide access to culturally sensitive mental health support services, therapy options, and resources to assist individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals within the community.
d. Community Engagement: Establish a supportive online community where Bangladeshi individuals, families, and caregivers can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from peers and experts.
e. Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaborate with local community organizations, mental health professionals, educational institutions, and cultural centres to leverage their expertise and ensure the provision of accurate and culturally relevant information.
Website Development
a. Culturally Adapted Design: Develop a user-friendly website design that incorporates culturally relevant visuals, language, and symbols to resonate with the Bangladeshi diaspora in Northampton.
b. Language Localization: Provide content in both English and Bengali languages to ensure accessibility for all community members.
c. Tailored Resources: Create and curate resources that address the specific mental health, learning difficulties, and autism concerns of the Bangladeshi diaspora, including articles, videos, podcasts, and interactive tools.
d. Community Features: Implement discussion forums, support groups, and messaging systems within the platform to facilitate community engagement and support.
Community Engagement and Outreach
a. Culturally Sensitive Events: Organize culturally sensitive online events such as webinars, workshops, and group discussions, featuring speakers from the Bangladeshi community and mental health professionals.
b. Partnerships with Community Organizations: Collaborate with local Bangladeshi community organizations, mosques, cultural centres, and schools to conduct awareness campaigns, workshops, and outreach programs.
c. Mental Health Champions: Recruit and train community members as mental health champions who can act as ambassadors, disseminate information, and provide support within the Bangladeshi diaspora in Northampton.
Capacity Building and Training
a. Mental Health Education: Provide training sessions and workshops to community members, including parents, caregivers, teachers, and community leaders, to enhance their understanding of mental health, learning difficulties, and autism.
b. Cultural Competency Training: Conduct cultural competency training for mental health professionals and service providers to ensure they can deliver culturally sensitive and appropriate support to the Bangladeshi community.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Feedback
a. Metrics and Analytics: Implement tracking tools to measure website usage, engagement, and resource utilization among the Bangladeshi diaspora in Northampton.
b. User Feedback and Satisfaction: Collect feedback through surveys, focus groups, and user testing sessions to assess user satisfaction, identify gaps, and improve the platform and services.
Sustainability Plan
Develop a sustainability plan that includes strategies for long-term funding, community partnerships, and potential revenue streams, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, and collaborations with local service providers and organizations.
This project aims to address mental health, learning difficulties, and autism needs.