Community team short listed for prestigious care award

A community service project that is helping asylum seekers and refugees to deal with chronic pain as a result of trauma or torture in their home country has been short listed for a prestigious care award.

The Wellbeing and Self Care Service, which is part of the community services’ Health Inclusion Team (Three Boroughs), sees around 200 clients a year. Clients learn how to reduce the severity of their pain through massage, stretching and breathing exercises which helps them to reduce their reliance on pain killers and avoid unnecessary visits to the GP. An impressive 74% of clients reported a major reduction of pain immediately after treatment. In follow up consultations 94% reported improvement. 

The service is one of eight projects short listed in the pain management category of the Care Integration Awards, which recognises organisations and health professionals who work together to meet the health and wellbeing needs of local people.

Health improvement specialist, Andreia Negron says: “We are delighted that our work helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our community has been acknowledged. Refugees and asylum-seekers may have health and psychological difficulties as a result of their experiences. We’re here to give them the support that they need during a difficult period so that they go on to lead healthier lives.”

The results of the Care Integration Awards will be announced on Tuesday 9 July.