“Project Me”
Parenting a child with special needs or disabilities demands a significant adjustment from the parents, and the availability of support can significantly affect how well they cope with this new reality. Unfortunately, parent carers from the BAME community face additional challenges, making this adjustment even more difficult.
According to research:
“10% of the 6.5 million carers in the UK today are from the BAME community. Carers from BAME communities, however, have a shorter life expectancy due to poverty, poor employment, and housing, resulting in ill health.” (Carers UK)
Through a collaborative effort with Bromley Council’s Embracing Diversity Task Group, Bromley Parent Engagement SEND Services (BPESS), SEN Parenting, and STUBS Disability Services, OAKonsult has gained a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the ongoing national situation on the BAME community in Bromley. This understanding has been achieved through shared experiences, deep passion, and data collected from the community.
To address the identified gap, we have created a framework of principles and guidelines on six main aspects of a parent carer’s life covering:
- The Carer’s Health and Wellbeing
- The Carer and Relationships
- Carer’s Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
- Carers and Financial Matters
- The Carer’s Career…A Possibility
- Faith and the Carer
PROJECT ME aims to empower the target group in Bromley by delivering workshops, training, practical sessions, and therapeutic approaches focused on these six key areas. This comprehensive program will help participants develop the skills, resources, and opportunities necessary to establish connections, build relationships, and better advocate for themselves. Ultimately, the program seeks to change the narrative by giving Parent Carers within the BAME a greater voice within the Bromley community.
The Project Me initiative is proudly sponsored by the Greater London Authority (GLA), and OAKonsult is thrilled about its potential possibilities!
COMING SOON – PARENT CARER HUB
The Parent Carers Centre is a unique and inclusive space that caters exclusively to parent carers. The centre provides various opportunities for social interaction, encouraging parents to connect with others and be a part of a supportive community. The Hub offers a range of training programs, library facilities, an information centre, a wellbeing centre, a space for arts and crafts and creative skills, and a café. These facilities are available to parent carers who want to build relationships, network, and engage in meaningful activities that enhance their lives.
This centre will be the first of its kind in Bromley, dedicated to promoting and facilitating better relationships between ethnic minority groups and indigenous parent carers. With its welcoming atmosphere and diverse services, the Parent Carers Centre is a haven for parents looking to connect, learn, and grow.
Online Training – Coming Soon.