Oldbury charity launches project to help non-English speakers amid pandemic
A hate crime charity in Oldbury has launched a project to support non-English speaking people during the pandemic.
Rights and Equality Sandwell has received £72,000 from the National Lottery for Project Shield.
Three engagement officers have been hired to help communicate Covid guidance with people from ethnic minorities.
The workers go out into communities delivering leaflets and work with Sandwell Council, businesses and other organisations.
Two officers work with people from European backgrounds while one works with people from Asia.
Between them, they speak 11 languages.
Asma Rhaza, the engagement officer for Asian people, said: "Our services are required more than ever. It is essential and vital especially during the pandemic and lockdown.
"People are scared, they are a bit sceptical. Are we going to go out? Should we not go out? If we have got problems, have we got anyone to contact?
"That is where I think our role is crucial. It is just trying to get out there. In the pandemic, people are still confused.
Understanding
"Before taking this role in October, I conducted a survey within the community I love in order to get a major understanding of how people are feeling.
"Especially the people who can't speak English and their first language is not English, how are they going to understand the message from the governing bodies.
"Hence the reason we are in place so if they have got issues we try and help them."
The languages that Asma can speak, alongside English, is: Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Pathwari and Hindko. The languages that the European support workers speak, including Gyongyver Janya, are: Hungarian, Italian, Slovakian, Czech, Polish and Russian.
The charity also helps people deal with race and hate crime.
For more information about the charity, visit rightsandequalitysandwell.co.uk.
