Shirley Law has worked for six years as a registered social worker and team leader in the social services sector, which has equipped her with a strong working knowledge of the voluntary sector. She has also worked closely with other professionals, such as the police forces, teachers, and health practitioners. Shirley now works at the Chinese Mental Health Association where she is putting her first hand knowledge of Chinese communities into action. Shirley received her Masters in Business Administration in 2007. She graduated in Social Work from the University of Hong Kong. In June 2006 Shirley received her Master's degree in "Advanced Clinical Social Work" from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Contact Shirley: shirley@cmha.org.uk

Ross O'Brien has worked in the field of Black and Minority Ethnic and Refugee inclusion in the UK since 2003. Ross’ skills in the field of Learning Disability, Mental Health and HIV in Africa are drawn together by his passion for the development of equality and social justice. Working from the Chinese Mental Health Association, he aims to bring his knowledge and expertise of the voluntary sector to inform the commissioning of statutory sector organisations in Barnet. Ross holds a Masters in Human Rights from the University of London. Ross also Chairs the London CDW Network Training and Education Sub Group.
Contact Ross: ross@cmha.org.uk

Emma Blundell has been involved in community engagement for over fifteen years, with a joint passion for social issues and the arts leading her to take a degree in Community Theatre. She believes in the necessity to be advised by communities about what they need and using that to inform any projects, rather than imposing a pre-prescribed solution. Her background includes working with 3rd sector Racial Equality organisations in the north east and London, leading projects around substance abuse and mental health issues, and working both within and along side the NHS over the last seven years. She is based in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.
Contact Emma: emma.blundell@nhs.net

Black and Minority Ethnic/Refugee (BMER) Community Development Workers Project Overview

The role of the CDW team within BMER communities is to provide support in several areas:

• developing culturally specific services around Mental Health within the 3^rd (voluntary and charity) sector
• gaining access to existing Mental Health services
• promoting awareness of mental health services in BMER communities
• the development of BMER community organisations that work in mental health and wellbeing
• increasing links between statutory services (MHT, PCT, London Borough of Barnet, etc.) and voluntary/charity organisations,
• lessening the stigma and fear of mental health issues and mental health services within BMER communities

Health Workers Project Overview

The role of the CDW team within statutory services is to provide support in several areas:

• improving access for all BMER groups and individuals to mental health services
• learning about the different cultures within Barnet and their needs
• encouraging and developing cultural sensitivity within mental health services increasing links between statutory services (MHT, PCT, London Borough of Barnet, etc.) and voluntary/charity organisations,
• lessening the perceived discrepancies in mental health services for differing BMER communities
• pursuing training opportunities and resources around BMER mental health