Community Based Champions: Building Caring Communities

What is the Community Based Champions Project?

The Community Based Champions Project is funded through the Department for Communities & Local Governments Migration Impact Fund and managed by Voluntary Action Coventry on behalf of Coventry Partnership.

The project recognises that Migrants often experience difficulties in approaching mainstream services without significant support from trusted people. The project aims to recruit volunteers to train them to become Community Based Champions to pass on knowledge about local services to their community members.

Community Based Champions receive:

• Training on a range of issues including housing, benefits, health, employment, education, police, environment, community safety, community cohesion and safeguarding children
• Reference and work experience
• Increased skills and confidence
• Knowledge around local services & be a helping hand to others

What is the aim of the Community Based Champions Project?

Community Based Champions provides a unique opportunity for volunteers within Migrant & new communities to offer advice to individuals from their own communities.

The project will:

• Improve Migrants understanding of their rights and responsibilities
• Increase the volunteer base within Migrant and new communities
• Train Community Based Champions to advise community members on local services

The results will be that:

• Migrants will integrate more quickly through understanding their rights and responsibilities
• Service providers will be better informed, and more able to support Migrants to access appropriate services

The service will encourage volunteering within Migrant and new communities living in the city taking a grass-route approach to addressing some of the needs of Migrant and new communities as well as reducing the pressure on services.

Through Community Based Champions we are aiming to raise Migrants awareness of their rights and responsibilities.

The service is designed to work in Partnership with the West Midland Fire Service, PCT, Whitefriars Housing Association, Coventry Law Centre, Coventry Refugee Centre, Friends Programme and the Coventry Partnership.

How can I get involved in the Community Based Champions Project?

Community Based Champions will act as key individuals to break down some of the barriers between Migrants and the services on offer.

• Are you interested in helping your community and those who need your advice and guidance?

• Are you from a Migrant or new community living in the city?

• Do you want to make a difference?

• Are you willing to share your knowledge with members of your community?

If you are interested in getting involved please contact Sabir Zazai, Migration Impact Fund Manager at Voluntary Action Coventry on 024 7622 0381 or email s.zazai@vacoventry.org.uk or download the application form below.

For more information download the project leaflet