Stress on the streets

by Mark Lankshear

Burngreave residents are stressed. The New Deal household survey confirmed that many of us experience high levels of stress and pressure and become anxious and depressed. The New Deal doesn’t seem to be helping, yet.

Many people come to Burngreave in difficult circumstances, finding shelter in the large numbers of emergency and residential care facilities, or are placed here while seeking asylum. A third of households have annual incomes of less than £5,000 and two thirds less than £10,000. 

Combined with the difficulties of services in responding to the language and cultural needs of black and ethnic minority communities it is no wonder that Burngreave ward has the highest rate of admission for mental health problems in Sheffield. 

During the roadshows and other New Deal consultation the need for one to one, culturally appropriate support has been highlighted again and again. Other local and national research has highlighted the benefits of being able to talk over problems and of practical help, particularly in accessing services and dealing with financial and benefit issues. 

The Burngreave Support Network is a major New Deal initiative to meet this need. One part of the challenge lies in involving local people who understand the local problems in designing and providing this service. This might bring local employment as well as help services understand and respond to the needs of our diverse community. A course in Community Health Education is being run next year. 

Many other agencies are also planning similar initiatives to improve access to their services. Part of the problem is the long history of these agencies working in very different ways, making it very complicated to get effective help. The Support Network and the One Stop Shop are attempting to bring together a wide partnership to ensure that all these initiatives cooperate to produce a ‘joined up’ service with a local focus. 

With New Deal delays it remains uncertain whether this project will go ahead. Existing voluntary sector support organisations, potential partners in the projects delivery, also struggle to access New Deal funding and opportunities are being lost. So far getting involved with the New Deal has increased my stress levels and even made me depressed. Despite that I still hold out hope that the Support Network, aimed at helping the most vulnerable members of our community, will succeed in the long run.