Coming in 2024 - Catalyst community development outreach

source: Catalyst 4 Change CIC
published: 9 October 2023

In 2024 the Catalyst Community Development team will be launching a substantial community development outreach initiative - we call it 'Link, Think, Act', and will be led by Catalyst's Central Services & Development Manager (Tippa Naphtali) alongside the Community Development & Network Co-ordinator (Kwesi Ochosi).

This relates to our capacity building commitments which include incubation services, signposting and capacity building, support for user-led and influenced voluntary & community mental health and wellbeing organisations, and developing the governance skills of leaders with a lived experience.

This also includes providing networking opportunities with other Catalyst members and external professional services that offer member discounts, and pro-bono opportunities (where applicable).

Tippa Naphtali said;

"We will particularly be extending our reach to Catalyst members in Wolverhampton, Coventry and Sandwell - complimenting the significant work already being carried out in the Birmingham area.

"At the heart of the 'Link, Think, Act' initiative is that we know that a key route to change is in making better and more creative use of the African and Caribbean communities social capital; forging stronger productive partnerships between community activists/experts, experienced practitioners and mental health service providers in both the statutory and voluntary sector."

See the LEx Leaders Development Programme report here >

What we'll be doing:

1. Enhancing our membership systems and offers
2. Establishing regular breakfast networking & information sessions
3. Developing a services directory and Professional & Technical Advisory Service (PTAS)
4. Re-establishing the Mentoring & Advocacy Support Hub (MASH) 'Meet & Eat' initiative
5. Securing additional resources for the 'LEx Leaders Development Programme'
6. Making registering with and accessing culturally appropriate community services easier for service users/carers via the MASH 'Easy Access Consortium'
7. Supporting existing incubated organisations to further develop their funding base
8. Pulling together a strategic advisory panel to look at major aspirational initiatives - An African and Caribbean mental health & wellbeing resource centre and a supported housing complex in Birmingham

In the New Year we will be establishing a series of meetings with Catalyst members across the West Midlands, and particularly those in Wolverhampton, Coventry and Sandwell to kick-start the process of consultation and partnership development.

Catalyst's capacity building work is nestled within the Services & Development Programme, and we act as influencers between Catalyst 4 Change, its registered members, Black communities, voluntary and statutory sector organisations; to drive the development or enhancement of community-leaders-led and culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing services.

With the added value of the vast expertise of member organisations also available to our affiliates, we foresee opportunities for greater collaboration in service development and delivery as a direct consequence of the network and indeed, is something that we strongly encourage and facilitate as part of our core operations and mission.

'Further updates to follow in 2024 - watch this space'

For general enquiries please contact:

Tippa Naphtali (Central Services & Development Manager)

Email: tippa@catalyst4change.org.uk