Anna Draper from Mind in Enfield and Barnet introduces a new local service launched in collaboration with Citizens Advice Enfield

A woman in a mask looks longing out of the window (credit Onder Ortel via Unsplash) — *Hundreds of local people suffering long-term impacts from the pandemic have sought help via the new service (credit Onder Ortel via Unsplash)*

A new partnership between Citizen Advice Enfield and Mind in Enfield and Barnet is supporting Enfield residents impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Residents can access counselling and emotional support delivered by Mind in Enfield and Barnet as well as advice on housing, benefits and debts offered by Citizens Advice Enfield.

We are working with our commissioners North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) towards reducing health inequalities in the Enfield community, including increased access to mental health services and providing advice on benefits, housing and debt, targeting Enfield’s most deprived areas.

The project is fully funded by North Central London ICB and enables free access to early intervention to prevent housing problems while contributing to poverty reduction through advice on welfare benefits and debt management. It also facilitates early access to mental health support and reduces inequalities which exist in accessing mental health services, particularly for people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

We consider that people’s mental health and wellbeing is intrinsically linked to their social, financial and economic situation. Being able to offer both practical and psychological support helps people make changes to their lives and feel empowered to seek additional help.

Citizens Advice Enfield supervisor Hilary Meeks, explaining the benefit of this collaborative support, says: “For our clients whose mental health has been severely impacted by Covid-19, Citizens Advice Enfield offers appointments with a dedicated caseworker, giving access to quality advice and hardship support, either face-to-face or by telephone.

“Appointments are made either via direct referrals from Mind, via our advice line, or our dedicated email address for this service. Areas of advice covered include housing, benefits, debt, consumer rights and immigration. We believe that no-one should be disadvantaged due to lack of knowledge about rights and responsibilities, and the advice and support we provide has helped relieve anxiety by ensuring that our clients understand their options. In addition, we make direct referrals to Mind in Enfield and Barnet where the client needs emotional support.”

Caroline Fuseau, therapy projects manager at Mind in Enfield and Barnet, adds: “Two years on, we are still seeing the impact of the pandemic on some of our residents’ mental health. This ranges from ill-health linked to contracting Covid-19 and suffering from long Covid, to the long-term impact of lockdowns on family relationships and parenting, and the numerous bereavements experienced during or as a result of the pandemic. This is compounded by the current cost-of-living crisis.

“Our team of counsellors offer a safe and confidential space to talk and make sense of the losses and challenges people have experienced. This might include helping clients find resilience, coping strategies, manage anxiety, but more generally work on any identified mental health issues they have shared with us.

“Once they have completed their counselling, clients can access additional support and services within Mind in Enfield and Barnet and partner organisations if they have identified with their counsellors additional needs or goals.”

Since opening in April this year the project has offered more than 300 hours of counselling and the same number of residents have been offered expert advice by Citizens Advice Enfield. But we still have space for referrals, so please get in touch.

To enquire about receiving free help, advice and counselling:
Email [email protected]
Visit citizensadviceenfield.org.uk/contact-us

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