Two digital platforms launched to help make health support more accessible across the Wirral

Two new digital platforms, Drug Talk and the Wirral Multicultural Organisation (WMO) Digital Hub, will enable people from ethnic minority backgrounds to access support if they’re worried about drug and alcohol use for themselves, their family or friends.

Through unique digital and culturally sensitive features, the site’s focus will be on improving ease of access for advice and guidance for people across the wirral where English may not be a first language.

Co-designed with people from ethnic minority backgrounds, the Drug Talk platform contains ‘harm reduction’ information about a range of drugs and alcohol including health risks and laws, as well as street names for each substance.

Cllr Jean Robinson, Chair of Wirral’s Health and Wellbeing board, said:

“We all deserve access to support services we may need – but access can look different for different people.

“People from ethnic minorities backgrounds do not take more drugs than other people – in many instances, they take fewer drugs. However factors including; discrimination, cultural norms and poor knowledge about local services can be barriers to help and advice.

“Drug Talk is a powerful education resource for residents from ethnic backgrounds who may wish to access the same services available as their neighbours – but may struggle due to various barriers.”

While the site is available to any Wirral residents, its key features include:

Use of the ‘Recite’ tool – which can translate to more than 100 languages via text or audio
Non-stigmatising language – the website is culturally and religiously sensitive
Information on drugs and the law that is particularly relevant to asylum seekers, refugees or migrants

The WMO Digital Hub has been redesigned to help the multilingual community access resources related to health and wellbeing and harm reduction.

The Hub will host a range of information for residents, partners and frontline professionals, including translated printable resources to make support and guidance accessible to everyone. The Hub will also signpost people to the Drug Talk website for advice and guidance in more than 100 languages.

Inspector Susan Stribling, lead for Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) at Merseyside Police said:

“We are pleased to have instigated and funded the WMO Digital Hub to bring it up to date with technology, design and information. This accessible platform will help our diverse communities access up-to-date harm reduction and treatment advice for drugs, alcohol, gambling and signposts support if someone becomes a victim of cuckooing, a form of criminal exploitation when someone takes over a person’s home for criminal activity.”

“Both digital platforms aim to remove some of barriers to accessing support and empower people to make the best decisions for their own health and wellbeing, and that of their loved ones.

“Our officers continue to target perpetrators who exploit vulnerable drug users, but this must go hand in hand with prevention and recovery. Prevention is at the heart of Project ADDER as we know that a whole-system, public health approach is vital to preventing drug related deaths, offending and drug prevalence.

“Thank you to all the partners involved who are committed towards a common goal – communities free from the harms caused by drugs.”

Nicky Taylor, Head of Department for ESOL & BSL at Wirral Met College, said:

“The research project was vital in providing us with evidence that this resource was greatly needed.

“It validated what our ESOL learners knew which was that there was a gap in education and education resource for people of ethnic minority, people for whom English is not their first language, asylum seekers, refugees and those of migrant status.”

Wirral Multicultural Organisation co-produced Drug Talk with Wirral residents of ethnic minority and staff from Wirral Met College, Wirral Ways, Merseyside Police’s Project ADDER, Response, Wirral Change, Deen Centre and Heart4Refugees. It was funded through Wirral Council’s Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery (SSMTR) grant.

The websites are open to all residents.