Haref Allies

Haref Allies help us to improve how health and wellbeing services are provided for ethnically marginalised communities in Newcastle and Gateshead. Through the Haref Allies, we ensure that our local communities have a platform to speak to mainstream services. Since our launch in May 2022, 107 people from 63 organisations have become Haref Allies. Join us today and let's make a difference together!

Our aim for this membership is:

Services will be provided with help and guidance on how to improve health and wellbeing amongst ethnically marginalised communities
We will provide opportunities to work in collaboration with the Haref Network, which comprises of 100 plus local organisations
There will be support from other Haref Allies through sharing information and good practice
We provide tailored training to make individuals and organisations culturally competent when supporting ethnically marginalised communities

Haref Allies are organisations that:

Provide health and wellbeing services, or
Have social value or address the wider social determinants of health, or
Fund voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
Deliver at least some of their services within Newcastle and Gateshead

As a Haref Ally, it has been a privilege to feel better connected with ethnically marginalised communities across Newcastle and Gateshead. Through the Haref Network I have met some incredible people, attended inspiring meetings and gradually built trust with local groups.

Our public involvement and engagement work has been greatly enriched by the diverse voices and lived experiences we have heard. We continue to learn how to make our research into aging, sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass and function) and multiple long term conditions more accessible and inclusive to the community we serve

Being a Haref Ally has sharpened my health and research practice and how I support colleagues. The greatest impact has, however, come from the people I have met and the lasting relationships built along the way. The Haref Network is a shining example of how whatever our cultural background, we share far more similarities than differences

Become a Haref Ally

When you become a Haref Ally you will have access to:

An annual membership for one or more representatives from your organisation (receive a 5% discount when you sign up for two or more memberships)
Invitation to Haref Allies events, skills building sessions and our annual Joint Celebration with our Haref Network
Opportunities to present at our Haref Network events
Invitations to our Place of Faith open days
Delivering health information sessions to our Haref Network with the aim to address avoidable and unfair health inequalties in marginalised communities
Research opportunities co-design and delivery; creating genuine collaborations and opportunities for both researches and our Haref Network.
Free Cultural Competency training for Haref Allies. This training package has been updated and refreshed
10% discount off all training packages offered by Connected Voice
Regular email updates
Haref Ally badge for your email signature
Information sharing in our Haref e-bulletin

Our Haref Allies pledge to:

Make healthcare fairer. We see how healthcare lets ethnically marginalised communities down. We are committed to changing this.
Listen to lived experiences. We listen to problems, and we offer solutions that are informed by the communities that need them.
Improve our services. We look for new ways of working and how to make existing ways better.
Support the Haref Network and Haref Allies. We work together, learn from each other, and share ideas, now and in the future.

Pricing (from 1 May 2026)

£63.00 plus VAT for 12 months for statutory organisations and private enterprises
£25.35 plus VAT for 12 months for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
5% discount applied on each additional membership

How to apply

Please complete our online sign up form and we will be in touch.

If you have any questions, please email Mehru-Nisa.Shah@connectedvoice.org.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss what's involved with a Haref Allies membership, please email Mehru-Nisa.Shah@connectedvoice.org.uk.

Since we joined, we have had engaging conversations with community groups and are developing some very exciting projects to improve the training and education of the future pharmacy workforce and hopefully contribute to the public health messaging and services provided to the diverse communities around Newcastle.