A new community-led initiative is transforming how refugees and asylum seekers in Newcastle and North Tyneside access healthcare and wellbeing support. Help for Health (HfH), delivered by West End Refugee Service (WERS) and Walking With, aims to reduce long‑standing health inequalities by combining health education, social prescribing and peer‑led support.
Refugees often arrive in the UK facing trauma, language barriers and confusion about how to navigate the NHS. HfH responds with practical, accessible workshops and drop‑ins that build understanding of GP registration, healthcare entitlements and the role of social prescribing.
A key feature of the project is its focus on meaningful social connection – from gardening groups and group walks to shared meals and wellbeing activities. These spaces help reduce isolation, strengthen trust and create safe opportunities to improve mental and physical health.
The introduction of a Peer Navigator programme is central to the initiative. Refugees with lived experience are trained to guide others through the healthcare system, lead sessions and offer culturally relevant, empathetic support.
Walking With also delivers a range of tailored activities, including:
These experiences help build confidence, promote resilience, and encourage sustained engagement with local services.
The project is funded through the Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Grant Programme, coordinated by VONNE and supported by the North East and North Cumbria ICB. Partners hope HfH will become a scalable model for reducing health inequalities across the region.
At its core, Help for Health offers newcomers clarity, connection and a pathway to wellbeing – ensuring that healthcare feels welcoming, accessible and rooted in community.
