A community project in Trafford has been given funding to raise awareness of the inequalities in Black and Asian communities.
As part of the Community Investment Scheme, support group Rehoboth for Families (RFF) has received a share of the £600,000 pot for community projects.
RFF is one of 35 organisations to receive funding. Bosses will use the cash for a youth project to drive 'awareness, understanding and behaviour change'.
Led by the NHS Blood and Transplant, the scheme had previously only focused on promoting organ donation, but will now include projects which also highlight the importance of blood donation.
RFF aims to run a 16-week awareness programme, in which experts will lead discussions on organ donation aimed at a younger audience, to encourage them to have conversations about their donation decision with friends and loved ones.
Founder of the Rehoboth for Families Elizabeth Dotun-Adejube said: “As a newly registered charity organisation, we are elated to be a part of the Community Investment Scheme and to have been given the opportunity to work with young people to raise awareness of the new law around organ donation.
“Our aim is that through this project, our young people are empowered to become agents of change, who will challenge long held cultural believes and myths around organ donation.”
Altaf Kazi, head of faith and belief engagement at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Through the Community Investment Scheme we have seen first-hand the abilities of trusted individuals and community groups to prompt conversation, tackle misinformation, educate and offer reassurance around organ donation and now blood donation.
"Often a person’s best donor match will share their ethnicity, but too many donation opportunities are missed because families haven’t discussed organ donation, and Black and Asian people are seriously underrepresented when it comes to donating blood.
“We are asking more people from Black and Asian communities to find out about both blood and organ donation and help us to address the inequalities that many members of these communities may face. By giving your support you can help save lives.”
For more information about the Community Investment Scheme you visit their site or contact: community.funding@nhsbt.nhs.uk
