Community Based Champions: Building Caring Communities

About The Community Based Champions Network.

The Community Based Champions Network is made up of volunteers from new migrant communities.

The network recognises that migrants often experience difficulties in approaching mainstream services without significant support from trusted people.

The network 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 provides a unique opportunity for volunteers within Migrant & new communities to offer advice to individuals from their own communities.
The network 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

Mission Statement

Coventry Community Based Champions Network is committed to empowering community members to advocate and act as champions on behalf of their communities. This is done through improving the identification and understanding of the needs of Coventry's diverse communities and through working in partnership to develop and deliver community-led solutions to meet these needs.

Overall Aim

To recognise the positive contribution new communities can make to the society and the important role they can play in developing a better understanding of their communities' unique needs.

Specific Aims

• To inform and educate migrants the appropriate ways of accessing and utilising services
• To signpost members of new migrant communities to suitable volunteering, training and employment opportunities
• To improve migrants awareness of their rights and responsibilities

The service encourages volunteering within Migrant and new communities living in the city taking a grass-roots 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.

Benefits

• 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

Getting involved with the Community Based Champions Network?

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

• 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