Support & Wellbeing Information Service Harrow (SWiSH)

What Is SWiSH?

The Support and Wellbeing Information Service Harrow (SWiSH) was launched on the 3rd of August 2015. It aims to help people in Harrow to access information about local services and advice about ways to keep safe and well.

Harrow Community Action (HCA) consortium oversees this service, which is run in collaboration by five local charities: Age UK Harrow, Harrow Association of Disabled People, Harrow Carers, Harrow Mencap and Mind in Harrow (the lead organisation).

Who can use SWiSH?

Anyone in Harrow aged 18 or over can call SWiSH for information and advice. This includes people looking for help for themselves, as well as carers, staff in local organisations and anyone with concerns about someone else.

What does SWiSH offer?

SWiSH can offer information or advice about a wide range of local services, including those that can help with:

  • keeping fit and well
  • managing finances
  • joining social groups
  • looking for work
  • starting a course
  • applying for a personal budget

We can also help you find services that offer the following:

  • financial advice
  • legal advice
  • advocacy
  • advice on welfare benefits and housing

You can access SWiSH in a number of ways: via phone, email, online, attending events, receiving bulletins and having one-to-one sessions.

SWiSH also has a YouTube channel where you can learn more about how SWiSH and its partner charities have helped local people.

What if I have accessibility needs?

We aim for our service to be accessible by everyone in the community. We can provide information in easy-read formats, Braille and audio format. We can provide some written information in different languages or can arrange for interpreting. We provide the service in venues that are wheelchair accessible.

Is SWiSH confidential?

Our service is confidential, except under certain circumstances where we have a duty to keep people safe. The service confidentiality policy can be provided upon request.

In order to provide the best service we may request your permission to share your details with another of our partner organisations, who are able to offer specialised help in various areas. We will ask for your consent before we do this and all information will be shared securely on a need-to-know basis.

How do I contact SWiSH?

To make a general SWiSH enquiry, please contact Mind in Harrow using the following details:

Phone: 020 8426 0929

Email: info@mindinharrow.org.uk

Opening hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

I want to contact one of the SWiSH partners directly. How do I do this?

You can find a list of the SWiSH partner organisations and all their contact details on the SWiSH partners information webpage.

How do I make a referral to SWiSH?

Staff in local organisations can refer a client to SWiSH by filling in this referral form and sending it either as a general enquiry (to Mind in Harrow) or specifically to one of the partner organisations.

What other sources of information are available?

We have compiled a list of websites where you can find information on a variety of topics, which you can find on the “other sources of support and information” webpage.

How does SWiSH relate to the Care Act 2014?

SWiSH has been commissioned by Harrow Council to provide a local Care Act 2014 Information & Advice Service. You can download a summary of the Care Act 2014 or an easy-read explanation.

Partners

Funder