Better Safe Communities are pleased to inform you of the launch of the first historic Somali National Helpline, sponsored by the local businesses up and down the country and in regards to poor service provisions of UK public services for Somali communities nationally.
The Helpline was founded by Khadra Hersi, a student of London Met University. It is aimed at the Somali community, helping with language barriers, immigration, and mental health issues due to war in their country. The Somali National Helpline are a service that uses professionals to support people overcome issues they are facing. They exist to support individuals with language matters, mental health issues, and beneficiaries to solve their problems. They also provide translating and interpreting services. They are here to support and advocate for many problems faced within the Somali community such as young adults suffering from knife crime, and elderly people who feel isolated and lonely due to language barriers.
The Helpline is appealing to students and volunteers (in the range of 500). They currently have a handful to kick start the legal casework and they are due to sign a contract with renowned language services who are eager to access Somali interpreters for public services supporting measures.
As the Helpline is a social enterprise CIC non profit, they have funding applications pending one of which if approved, will allow us to set up satellite offices in Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, and Birmingham.
In the meantime, the Somali National Helpline need as many interns and volunteers as possible both on-site and remote working. Please, let as many public and private services know as possible of this Helpline so Somalis are not suffering unnecessarily. Any urgent messages you can whatapps on 07474920427 for Somalis in crisis.
They need to register any interpreters from Reap, any ESOL tutors from Twin, and any students from London Met, Westminster, Birmingham, Brunei, Soas, and South Bank Universities.
The Helpline is a partnership between concerned business owners from the Somali community and Somali professionals who have been supporting Somali clients who should have been supported by charities receiving public funds. Many charities are doing good work but, many Somali clients are saying they are not able to access the charity or public services to meet their immediate needs.
The Somali National Helpline will look analytically at what is happening across the UK to ensure that gaps are documented and the respective local authorities are informed of Somali populations who are struggling due to poor provision or language barriers.
