Somalis are among the poorest, least-employed in the country.

Multiple social exclusions affect their ability to act as a progressive community and as such, Somalis are classified as ‘hard to reach’ by policy makers and service providers.

Harrow’s large Somali community, has an acute understanding of these issues and is showing it can offer practical ways to break down barriers, improve services and outcomes for families.

The Mind in Harrow Hayaan project, funded from charitable sources, is helping reduce isolation experienced by Somalis with mental health difficulties, by supporting self-confidence in services and local opportunities.

Our local NHS services and Harrow Borough Council should also respond to inequality by working in partnership with organisations like Mind in Harrow because many feel excluded from being able to access basic services.

We believe equality objectives and duties can go a long way to eliminate discrimination and help ensure that we commission the right health care services in future.

As health inequalities persist across Harrow, the Hayaan project hopes the NHS and Harrow Council’s current reviews of equality objectives will ensure the needs of the Somali community are included in new objectives and future plans.

It is within the Somali tradition to integrate into different communities and countries, while also placing huge emphasis on family, relatives and civic life.

It is time our equality objectives recognised the needs of Somalis and the contribution they are making as an untapped community resource.

Abdi Gure

Programme co-ordinator Hayaan project, Mind in Harrow