The Community Connectors programme at Aston-Mansfield is made up of two Community Connectors, who work with individuals to help them improve their wellbeing by assisting them in accessing the right support within the community. 

Their aim is to empower individuals who are struggling with their wellbeing to make positive changes in their lives by supporting them in identifying their own personal goals. They aspire to reduce social isolation and loneliness; increasing resilience and independence.

They do this by assisting people to access support within the community, including support provided by a range of organisations, including the Voluntary and Community Sector. 

They have helped provide advice, support and signposting on topics including:

  • Housing 
  • Financial advice 
  • Food banks 
  • Loneliness 
  • Immigration 
  • Welfare benefits 
  • Learning new skills 
  • Attending support groups 

In 2021-2022, 108 service users and close relatives received support from Community Connectors

Meet the Team

Milena Mascio

Eliana Cardoso

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events.

Case Studies

Check out below case studies from the Community Connectors work.

Johnstone (Real name withheld) is a 54-year-old man of west Indian descent. He was referred to us for bereavement support. He explained how he sadly lost his partner and two older kids to covid. Johnstone expressed on how he has found it difficult moving on and finding any hope in life.  

The peer-to-peer non-invasive support he was provided with allowed Johnstone to openly express his frustration, deep depression and lack of enthusiasm in what he used to do. Johnstone used to be robust in the community, loved his security work and evenings watching football with his peers.  

By allowing Johnstone to have autonomy to his care plan, he was able to map out the care he needed. Johnstone was able to access bereavement support and realised quickly how helpful and supportive he was to others.  

By focusing on others, Johnstone is now a trained bereavement volunteer and uses his experience to impart hope and strength in others on a similar journey. Johnstone has now taken up his love for sports and through the support of a personal health budget, he was able to access a local gym and actively involve himself with others.  

Johnstone was also able to access localised affordable counselling and through sessions, allow himself to grieve in safe spaces. It was a loving gesture when he invited me to join him in a memorial mass at church to remember his family whom he believes are now angels smiling down on him.  

Johnstone has rekindled his love for music, loves going out and dance to the songs he used to when his partner was around. His home is now a hub of activities, and he wishes to access employment support of which he will be supported so as to reintegrated back into purpose and productivity.  

Through patience, resilience building and being solution focused, he has been able to emphasize on actionable goals vital in his mental well-being improvement.

Partnerships 

The five-year Community Connectors programme is funded by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), with Community Connectors being recruited and trained by NHS England as part of the Newham Primary Care Network (PCN). 

The Community Connectors programme is run in collaboration with Community Links and Mind Stratford who have teams that serve the south of Newham.

Video Playlist

The Community Connector team have created a range of videos offering their support and experience around wellbeing.

Check out the full playlist here.

Useful Resources

We’ve collated a range of useful resources from other organisations below:

If you are thinking about ending your life: 

  • Call Newham’s 24 Hour Mental Health Crisis Helpline on 0800 073 0066.
  • Call 999 if you have done something to harm yourself or are in a life or death situation.

Newham Talking Therapies give free and confidential talking therapy to help with worry, anxiety, phobias, low mood, bereavement, relationship troubles, loss of confidence and coping with long term conditions.

Mental wellbeing tips, free mind plan, self-help techniques and more.

www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a charity taking a stand against suicide.

  • For men with mental health needs
  • Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
  • Web chat available via their website: www.thecalmzone.net
  • Every day, 5pm–midnight

Care in Mind offers a Need to Talk Psychotherapy Service (BACP Accredited).

Click here to download their leaflet.

Support is offered face-to-face, via video call or telephone 24/7

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • 0800 073 0066
  • 020 7771 5888

Mind offers mental health information and signposting. 

Provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. 

  • Feeling anxious, stressed overwhelmed or in need of support? 
  • Text only 85258 
  • Every day, 24 hours a day