mental health – Govan Community Project

This Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May) the theme is ‘Community’. We want to use this week to highlight the power and importance of community.

Being part of a safe, welcoming community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. Govan Community Project runs many community groups, which allow people to come together to talk, share stories and ideas, be creative and make new friends.

We spoke to Brian*, a long-standing GCP volunteer, about the difference being part of our community made to his life.

Brian was first housed in Govan in 2018 during his asylum claim, at which time he had already been waiting for three years on the outcome. He said: “It was a very hard time for me and I was feeling very low. I wasn’t feeling connected to any other people living in Govan.”

Before Brian sought refugee status in the UK, he had been a student in Gambia and was studying for a Higher Teaching Certificate (HTC). His dream was to be a doctor, and told us his life was “full of promise.”

But the many years waiting on the outcome of his asylum claim took its toll, he struggled to concentrate on anything, and was left feeling stressed and isolated. Brian said that it was hard to make friends, he added: “You don’t know who to trust in your community when you’re in the asylum system. It is hard to find people that you can trust and everyone is feeling very paranoid to talk about their cases for privacy reasons.”

A turning point for Brian came when he became a volunteer for the Govan Community Project Food Bank during lockdown. He got invited to join the Food For All Group and became one of the first ever members of the group. Brian has been an incredibly valued member of the group for the past four years.

During this time, Brian has gained more confidence and trust in his community. He said: “Since joining the group I have felt more confident. I have met new people and they have been very helpful. I’ve been homeless during different periods and I’ve been able to go to group members for support. Now I have people I can rely on and ask for help with any issue.”

Before joining the Food For All Group, Brian had no one to share his story with. However, since spending time with other group members he has been able to experience support and also make positive changes for his other community members. Brian is very dedicated to improving life for his community.

Since finally receiving his refugee status in 2024- nine years after his initial application- Brian has been able to return to his studies. He is now studying medical administration. He said: “Even if I ever get a job, I will find the time to volunteer with Govan Community Project on my day off. [It’s about] making improvements for other people…it’s about making positive change.”

*name changed to protect anonymity

GCP is launching a series of Community Wellbeing Workshops with a focus on mental health literacy. The first workshop is How to Access NHS Services, including information on registering with a GP, accessing an interpreter for appointments and what to do in an emergency.

The workshop will be led by Francine Bucumi from the Asylum Health Bridging Team. Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Francine will talk about the importance of knowing your rights to medical treatment and how to access mental health services within the NHS.

She will also talk about the importance of social activity on the impact of mental wellbeing and share her experience of volunteering.

Topics covered in the workshop include:

HC2 forms (application and renewal)
Access to primary and secondary NHS care
Registering with a GP
Speaking with a GP about your mental health
Accessing interpreters for NHS appointments
Asylum seekers rights within the NHS
Importance of social activity on wellbeing
What to do/ where to go in an emergency

The workshop will take place on Thursday 16 May, 1pm-2.30pm at The Barber Suite, Elderpark Housing Association.

All workshops are open to anyone in the community who would like to learn more about mental wellbeing, but the support focus is on refugees and asylum seekers.

Workshops are free to attend, light refreshments will be provided, interpreters and translated materials are available upon request.

You can register by sending your name, contact details and language requirement to wellbeing@govancommunityproject.org.uk.