The Bereavement & Wellbeing team consists of Officers from varying backgrounds and organisations –
Luke McCubbin – Crossroads
Laura Rogers – Kuumba Centre
Helen Charles – Sandwell Advocacy
Helen has been an Independent Advocate since she began working at Sandwell Advocacy in 2011. She has worked on different advocacy projects including young carers and young people needing support with mental health and behavioural issues. She has also supported older people in a range of care settings and became a Care Act Advocate in 2018.
Juanita Williams – Sandwell Advocacy
Juanita has worked at Sandwell Advocacy since 2014. During this time she has worked on the SCOPA (Sandwell Cancer Older Peoples Advocacy) project, Young Carers Advocacy, SAVE (Sandwell Advocacy Voice and Empowerment) and AASS (Adult Advocacy Support Service, SMBC).
She has worked in the voluntary, public and private sectors and has experience of working with people from cradle to grave, as a qualified NNEB Nursery Nurse in a maternity unit to people at the end of their life. She is qualified to degree level and also a qualified advocate.
Within the voluntary sector, she has worked with numerous Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) organisations and communities, contributed to local authority strategies, worked within a rights and equality organisation and coordinated an asylum and refugee working group. She has also recruited, trained and supported volunteers at Sandwell Advocacy.
Juanita has been an active volunteer all of her life and enjoys fundraising and raising awareness of local and national charities. She was elected to be an ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Support. Claim to Fame: In 2012 she was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in recognition of her commitment to charitable work.
Melonie Barnaby – West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
Make a Referral
To make a referral to the team, (self- referral or by a professional or friend with your consent) please complete a referral form which you can request online or by calling 0121 553 6483.
Once completed and received, an officer will contact you within 2 working days.