Thursday, 26 February 2015

EOU e-bulletin - Issue No. 04 - 18th February 2015

The news bulletin of the Evelyn Oldfield Unit featuring updates, events, training and volunteering opportunities at EOU and other agencies.

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We are an independent, membership-based, charitable organisation. The EOU's aim is to provide, develop and co-ordinate specialist aid and support services for Refugee and Migrant Community Organisations and individuals. We endeavour to increase their capacity and potential for meeting the needs of their communities and to support RMCOs to set up partnership initiatives with mainstream agencies and to engage their members with the wider community. 

Sections

·         EOU Events & Notices

·         Non-EOU 

·         Research

·         Jobs and Volunteering

·         Funding

 


If you wish to post your events & notifications on our next newsletter, please email alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk

We will post articles and submissions based on our discretion. 

Issue No. 04 - 18th February 2015

Welcome to a new edition of the Evelyn Oldfield Unit e-bulletin! 
We continue to give you useful information about the sector we all work in and the communities we work for. 

 

Message from the Evelyn Oldfield Unit Director
OUR QUALITY OBJECTIVES
All our quality objectives are detailed in the "Objectives, targets and actions log" and are:

  1. Achieve ISO 9001 certification by March 2015
  2. 80% overall satisfaction from the trainee surveys
  3. All agreed project outcomes to be met

We will measure out quality performance against the above objectives.
For more information about ISO 9001, the process and the benefits to Evelyn Oldfield Unit, click here

 


EOU Events & Notices


 
Invitation to Work towards PQASSO and Investors in People (IIP) Quality Assessment

The Director of EOU has been licensed to provide training and mentoring to voluntary and community organisations on implementing quality mark on Practical Quality Assurance Systems for Small Organisations (PQASSO) produced by the Charities Evaluation Services (CES) and are serving as a panel member of the Investors in People (IIP). If your organisation is interested in acquiring a quality standard or would like to explore more about PQASSO and IIP or other Quality Standards, please contact Mulat Haregot, Director, on 02076974101 or at mulat@evelynoldfield.co.uk


'London is Home' E3 Project

Would you like to volunteer on the innovative e3 English Language project?  Do you speak Bengali or Somali?  Then we would love to hear from you!
Hundreds of E3 learners have already been supplied with their very own tablet and English learning app, and now many are involved with classes, community work and volunteering, as part of the second stage of the project.  We would still like to engage with more of the learners, therefore your language skills would be very much appreciated.  The role would involve outreach work within the community and office based work. Travel and lunch expenses would be reimbursed.   Please contact Daniel at Daniel@evelynoldfield.co.uk or call 020 7697 4106 to register your interest.


FREE ESOL Classes
Would you like improve your English?
If the answer is yes, then you are warmly welcome to attend our beginner's classes.  The course is FREE, but there will be £20 admin fee which will be refunded to you if you come to all the classes.
The beginners Classes will take place every Monday (starting from the 16 February with a language assessment) from 6pm-8pm at the Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Resource For London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA  
 
Please contact Daniel Palmer for more information on 0207 697 4106 or Daniel@evelynoldfield.co.uk


Income Generation & Sustainability for Refugee & Migrant Community Organisations

Organisations: Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Greater London Authority, Croydon Voluntary Action, The Refugee Council
Place: CVA Resource Centre, 82 London Rd, CR0 2TB 
Monday, 9th March 2015 from 10:00 to 16:00 (GMT) (please note that the date has been changed from 12th February to the 9th March)
 
Evelyn Oldfield Unit working with Greater London Authority and Refugee Council is delivering a free day-long workshop on how to create a business model for refugee and migrant groups. This free workshop is part of the delivery of the London Strategic Migration Partnership & the Refugee Council's Supporting RCOs project which is funded by London Councils. The workshop will help refugee and migrant community groups learn: 

  • Skills for chairs, trustees, staff and volunteers
  • How to make your organisation sustainable and relevant
  • How to identify problems and how to tackle them
  • How to market solution/s
  • How to measure success

Red Ochre is facilitating the workshop.
Public transport travel costs incurred by migrant and refugee groups will be reimbursed on production of a receipt or ticket courtesy of the Refugee Council.
Refugee and migrant groups from Croydon and neighbouring boroughs are welcome to attend. Places offered on a first come first served basis. Refreshments and lunch provided. If you cannot attend please send a colleague in your place so that places are not wasted.
To book tickets (free) click here or simply email at alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk or call to discuss further: 020 7697 4105.
For more information please visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/equalities/refugees-and-migrants/london-strategic-migration-partnership


Domestic Violence Engagement Event

Date and time: 6th of March 2015, 9.30am-1.00pm (2-part event)
Venue: London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road

We would like to invite you to attend/ have input in our event on domestic violence in refugee communities on the 6th of March, just ahead of International Women's Day.

This is a 2-part event. The morning event will see refugee community groups who have already set up or are interested in offering support to those affected by domestic violence meeting with existing 'mainstream' women's groups. We aim to raise awareness of what each other is doing,  think about how we can work together and share strategies for best supporting vulnerable women.

The morning event will take place on the 6th of March (9.30- 1.00pm).   

Following on from the morning's event, we will offer lunch followed by a performance and talk by Praxis Family Care, a support group for the rehabilitation of trafficked women and survivors or gender-based violence, and their children.

This will run from 2.00-4.00pm.

For bookings, simply email at sarah@evelynoldfield.co.uk or call to discuss further: 020 7697 4102.
There are limited numbers for this event so please so book as soon as you can.

NB this is a women-only event. 


Health Equality Project. MANAGING YOUR HEALTH
Effective Communication Skills Development Workshop – Meet GPs and health workers who want to learn alongside you how to communicate effectively 

Date: 11th March 2015, Time: 12.00noon – 2.30PM 
Venue: London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road. Exact location to be confirmed.

Refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of the event is to try out different approaches to effective conversations between patients and health professionals. We need greater shared understanding about managing health and how to communicate about it.
We invite patients (particularly those from refugee and migrant backgrounds), doctors and other health professionals to discuss health issues together. We will consider what issues are most important in your community.

Through practical group exercises, we will explore
- different ideas of what's important in health and how to manage illness
- fresh strategies and skills for communication between patient and professional
- ways to move forward when patients and doctors disagree.
 
Based on feedback from the first session, we will also introduce patients to information that will help them think differently about their health and other care services, including  the role of medication and prescribing antibiotics.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have had the opportunity for better understanding of others' ideas about health and improved communication skills for conversations about health and illness.

This workshop session is led by Delia Muir and Hament Patel Director of OCP Ltd working with the Co-Productive Learning for Better Health project, using an approach to communication developed with the Professional Support Unit in London, which is part of Health Education England.
It is supported by Stepping Stone 4, a Swahili support charity and the Evelyn Oldfield Unit, a support agency for refugee and migrant community organisations.
For bookings please contact Salna or Sarah on:
stepston4@gmail.com
sarah@evelynoldfield.co.uk / 020 7697 4102


Supporting Women's Project Update 

The following activities are planned for the following months. Contact us to express your interest.

I. Accredited Introduction to Counselling Skills Course for Refugee Women – May 2015
Register your interest now
 
The Evelyn Oldfield Unit is launching its new accredited counselling skills course. This project is funded by Comic Relief. We would like to offer frontline staff / volunteers from refugee and asylum-seeking women's organisations/ projects the chance to build skills in supporting vulnerable women affected by violence or trauma. Although we build the skills of individuals, we want the trainee to bring these skills back to the organisation they work/ volunteer with.
This is a free course.
This is a level 2 Open College Network course.

Specific learning objectives include:
1. Understand the requirements for a short counselling session.
2. Understand the importance of verbal and non verbal communication.
3. Understand the importance of active listening skills.
4. Understand the use of questions in counselling.
5. Understand the concept of empathy and its application.
6. Implement unconditional positive regard.
7. Understand the importance of not directing the client.
8. Understand the importance of feedback for own development.
 
The exact date and location are as yet to be confirmed but will involve 6 full days training including time for the assessment. The location will be in a convenient central venue.
We are not open for applications as yet but you can contact the Evelyn Oldfield Unit's administrator Alexandra Ceriu by email - alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk or phone – 020 7697 4105 to register your interest.

Eligibility
This course is for women from refugee/ asylum-seeking backgrounds (*NB you have to have status to be eligible to study in the UK).   We will require evidence of from your Home Office documents or passport.
It is open to any groups from across London.
We can accept one person per organisation only. There is space on this course for 12 participants.
Students need to be proficient in English although the Evelyn Oldfield Unit can offer additional pastoral / student support.
Places will be given to those who can evidence the most potential benefit to their community.
In addition, in deciding upon places, we will ensure there is a spread of nationalities, ages and London boroughs represented. 


II. Mental health engagement event 13th of May
An event for refugee community organisations and mainstream groups (women only).

The session has been designed to bring together refugee women's projects with mainstream women's groups. The first part of the session will be dedicated to examining current issues faced by refugee women and innovative solutions,  with a presentation by Middlesex University's Elena Vacchelli on support for refugee women.

The second part will be a creatively facilitated engagement event where refugee women and mainstream women's services come together to look at what each other is doing, how to improve connections, referrals and communication, facilitating future work and building access to services.
 
This event is open to representatives from interested London-based mainstream/ statutory agencies and refugee / asylum-seeking women from community organisations who wish to build connections/ new therapy projects. 
Date & Time
13th of May 2014
1.30pm-5.00pm
 
Venue
To be confirmed but in a central accessible location. We can cover the travel costs of refugee and asylum-seeking women.
 For further information or bookings, please call / email Alexandra Ceriu at alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk  0207 697 4105 


III. 19th May – morning workshop on responding to Domestic Violence in Refugee and Asylum-seeking  Women's Groups  – facilitated by Against Violence and Abuse (AVA)
Do you know what to do when a woman discloses that she has been a victim or are at risk from violence or abuse? This could be domestic, physical, sexual or emotional... 
Jennifer Holly from AVA will run an event for refugee and asylum-seeking women's organisations/ projects.  Come along to our event to hear from this expert organisation who can help you to understand the signs, risks, learn about sources of support and legal protection available for women.
The main areas we will cover are :

  • What is abuse?
  • What are appropriate responses?
  • Understanding risk
  • What the law says about abuse and women
  • What legal protections are available
  • Supporting a vulnerable woman through the criminal justice system

This is open to any female staff, volunteers, and management committee members from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. NB this is an event for women only.
Venue
To be confirmed but in a central accessible location.
For bookings, please contact Alexandra at alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk t:0207 697 4105


IV. SWP Conference - 24th of June. Full day event
The annual Supporting Refugee Women conference will take place on the 24th of June 2015.
This conference has been set up to bring together stakeholders working on issues related to gender violence and refugee and asylum-seeking women.
We will look at:

  • Policy developments in the sector
  • Disseminating good practice
  • Sharing learning
  • Exchanging research
  • Encouraging collaboration

We will have a market place showcasing refugee women's projects and mainstream/ statutory projects related to the topic.

We are currently looking for contributors/ presenters, stall holders etc. If you would like to talk about your work, research and / or organisation, please get in touch.

Venue
To be confirmed but in a central accessible location.
For queries or bookings, please contact the Evelyn Oldfield Unit's administrator Alexandra Ceriu by email - alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk or phone – 020 7697 4105. Hope to see you there.
This event is open to representatives from interested London-based mainstream/ statutory agencies and refugee / asylum-seeking women from refugee community organisations. THIS EVENT IS WOMEN ONLY.
 


Research for Action & Influence Project Update

 11th of June Conference for Research for Action & Influence Students – open to men and women

The Evelyn Oldfield Unit would like to invite you to the presentations of community action research undertaken by members of London's refugee and migrant communities on the 11th of June, from 1.00-5.00pm here in the Resource for London (356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA).
Over the past year we have run an accredited research course and this is the culmination of the students' work.
The students are all representatives of refugee and migrant community organisations and members of the Evelyn Oldfield Unit.
It is shaping up to be a quite remarkable afternoon.
For queries or bookings, please contact the Evelyn Oldfield Unit's administrator Alexandra Ceriu by email - alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk or phone – 020 7697 4105. Hope to see you there.


Volunteers needed: Adhoc Admin volunteer support, IT Expert volunteer support

I. Adhoc Admin volunteer support
The Evelyn Oldfield Unit is looking for a person to conduct administrative support for the EOU's Admin and Finance Worker.
Role Description

  • entering, retrieving and printing data in a database
  • preparing and typing documents in the computer, printing documents
  • Carry out other administrative duties as required

Qualifications
No formal qualifications are required but we do expect the following:

  • Have attention to details
  • Accurate in entering data into database
  • Confident and competent in using PC system and printer
  • Excellent communication manner (face to face, phone and email)
  • Ability to conduct telephone and internet research
  • Ability to think innovatively and to find suitable solutions when facing problems
  • Good IT skills using the internet, Outlook, Microsoft Word and databases
  • Fluency in English and preferably a knowledge of another community language

Resources
Salary description: Unpaid Voluntary Work
Expenses: We can cover up to £10 per day to reimburse out of pocket expenses (for both meal and travel). We need receipts in order to process this.
PC and desk, to be arranged by volunteer supervisor. Desk space may vary depending on availability on the day.
Volunteers will be assigned a paid member of staff to work with and who will supervise the volunteer's work and also provide support.
 
Application process
Please upload your CV and email us on the following address alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk


II. IT Expert volunteer support  
The Evelyn Oldfield Unit is looking for a person to offer Network and Server expertise and support, ideally someone with Network and Server support experience.

Role Description

  • Asses the EOU's network and server system and conduct the necessary improvements and making it more efficient
  • Move the current local network to the general building network
  • Move the server backup to a cloud computing system
  • Carry out other IT duties as required

Qualifications

  • Have experience in managing a local network and server
  • Good IT skills using the internet, Outlook, Microsoft Word and databases
  • Must have patience and commitment to complete the task
  • Must respect importance of and ensure confidentiality of all information held by and dealt with by the organisation
  • Have attention to details
  • Ability to think innovatively and to find suitable solutions when facing problems
  • Train staff on how to use the new IT systems
  • Fluency in English 

Resources
Salary description: Unpaid Voluntary Work
Expenses: We can cover up to £10 per day to reimburse out of pocket expenses (for both meal and travel). We need receipts in order to process this.
PC and desk, to be arranged by volunteer supervisor. Desk space may vary depending on availability on the day.
Volunteers will be assigned a paid member of staff to work with and who will supervise the volunteer's work and also provide support.
 
Application process
Please upload your CV and email us on the following address alexandra@evelynoldfield.co.uk
 


Non-EOU Events


LEAP into Work Programme

Are you looking for a job?
Got the skills, but have no access to the opportunities that you want?
All your acquaintances seem to be in employment, except you? What can you do?
Have you applied for so many jobs, but barely pass an interview if you are lucky to get one?
Then this is a chance to receive FREE advice and training that will propel your chances to get into employment.
 
LEAP into Work Programme:

  • Pre- employment programme for workless women;
  • One to one support and FREE training  to Increase your employability skills;
  • Stand out on paper and in person through advice, training and volunteering.

BENEFITS:

  • Gain work experience and learn new skills through volunteering/ work placements;
  • 6 hours of one to one support to improve employability skills and set up career goals;
  • Free training to improve interviewing skills – mock interviews;
  • Free training  to tailor CVs and application forms  to get interviews;
  • Introduction to  vocational courses;
  • Continuous one to one support to sustain employment.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Not in employment or education;
  • No necessary academic qualification. You can have a little or lots of experience and skills;
  • Registered for JSA or ESA or Income Support Allowance;
  • Living in Barnet, Haringey or Enfield;
  • Eligible to work in UK.

Apply today. Available places are limited
Contact: Dana Ion, Employement Coordinator
Email:  d.ion@solacewomensaid.org
Tel: 07506993472
http://www.solacewomensaid.org/ 
 


Community Voices: Looking at the Impact of European Migration on Communities in Lincoln


When: 17 Feb 2015 - 14:00 - 16:00

Where: Voluntary Centre Services, 16- 26 Tentercroft Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN5 7DB

New Europeans, an association championing the rights of European citizens, together with the UK's leading volunteering and social action charity CSV invite you to share your views on the impact of European migration on local services in Lincoln as part of a series of seminars to examine the impact of European migration throughout the UK.

Speakers:

  • Tamara Flanagan, OBE, Director of Programmes, New European
  • Prof Madeleine Arnot, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
  • Jurgita Pranculyte, Union Support Officer, Union Learn East Midlands
  • Tony McIlveen, Senior Solicitor, Derbyshire Law Centre
  • Iwona Lebiedowicz, Managing Director, PAB Translation Centre 

Following presentations from speakers, there will be a series of roundtable discussions, facilitated by representatives from East Midlands Councils, Lincoln College (tbc) and New Europeans, where participants will be invited to share their views on the impact of European migration on local services. These discussions will be collected and fed back to the plenary, and the findings from the seminar will be included in a report to be published in June 2015.

For further information, contact Tamara Flanagan at tamara.flanagan@neweuropeans.net

Sign up on Eventbrite here


Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers AGM


When: 18 Feb 2015 - 17:00 - 19:00

Where: Peckham Park Baptist Church, Peckham Park Road, SE15 6SX

You are invited to the AGM for Southwark Day Centre for Refugees.

Guest Speaker: Don Flynn, Director of Migrants' Rights Network. Topic:  Migrant Manifesto: A call for a fair and equal immigration system

Plus SDCAS Centre users and volunteer presentations

Please RSVP office@sdcas.org.uk or Tel: 0207 732 0505

Refreshments and Creche facilities for under 5's available
 


CEN are hosting a One Day Advocacy Training on School Exclusions

When: Saturday, 21 February 2015 from 09:30 to 16:30
Where: Shakespeare Business Centre, 245a Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8RR London

Since 1999, Communities Empowerment Network (CEN) has worked and campaigned for Equality and Justice in Education.
CEN are the only organisation in London that are specifically funded to provide Free Independent Expert Advice, Support, and Representation to parents and carers of children who are at risk of exclusion or have been excluded.
Saturday 21st February 2015 is the latest of Free Introductory Education Advocacy Training Sessions CEN has delivered this year. Please do not book on if you have attended before unless you need to review.

IMPORTANT: For past attendees, the content is roughly the same as the previous Advocacy Training days CEN have held over the past year or so. We have added some extra material relating to prevention and early intervention.
To book your place, please click here.


Action Against Asylum Homelessness

When: 24 Feb 2015 - 10:00

Where: Civic Hall – Banquet Hall Calverley Street, Leeds LS1 1UR

The Asylum Support Appeals Project warmly invites you to attend their annual Conference entitled "Action Against Asylum Homelessness".

The event aims to bring together organisations supporting asylum seekers and irregular migrants, enabling participants to share information, ideas and strategies for tackling asylum homelessness. Talks and workshops will cover practical, legal, political and policy aspects of this important area. Please see the agenda for descriptions of each workshop.

Please RSVP before 23 January by writing an email to kama@asaproject.org.uk

You can download the conference agenda from http://www.asaproject.org/action-asylum-homelessness-conference/conference-agenda/


Deciding on the Future for Children Seeking International Protection: Whose Role is it Anyway?


When: 24 Feb 2015 - 18:00

Where: Palace House, 3 Cathedral Street, London SE1 9DE

The Baobab Centre for Young Survivors in Exile warmly invites you to attend the next in its series of 2014-15 Baobab Talks, given by Baljeet Sandhu (Director, Migrant & Refugee Children's Legal Unit) & Sarah-Jane Savage (Senior Protection Associate, UNHCR), entitled  "Deciding on the Future for Children Seeking International Protection: Whose Role is it Anyway? "

The event is free admission, but advance registration is required. Please RSVP by 13 February toinfo@baobabsurvivors.org

For more information on the Baobab Centre, please visit: www.baobabsurvivors.org


Gender Sensitivity in the Asylum Process Training Course

When: Wednesday 25 February 2015 from 2-6pm
Where: Room V121 at SOAS campus in Vernon Square, Penton Rise, London WC1X 9EW

IARS are running free CPD accredited Gender Sensitivity in the Asylum Process training which is delivered by refugee and asylum-seeking women involved in our Abused No More project.
It is an evidence-based, user-led training and awareness raising programme for professionals and service providers who work with these particularly vulnerable groups.
The training is focusing on the impact of gender-based violence on refugee and asylum-seeking women, and the need for a gender-sensitive treatment of this group.
This free of charge programme covers the issues of professional ethics, client care and cultural awareness, and includes the following:

  • Awareness of particular needs of refugee and asylum-seeking women
  • Knowledge about refugee experience and asylum process
  • The importance of building trust and communicating empathy

To find out more and to sign up to this free training, please email Natalia at N.Paszkiewicz@iars.org.uk 


Services for Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Am I allowed to help? How can I help? Who else can help?

Date - 25/02/2015 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
LocationThe Culture Space

Any London voluntary or community organisation offering services to people who need support, advice, information or advocacy will at some time see amongst those who come to them for help people who are refugees or seeking asylum.
Whether you are a women's refuge, mental health service, LGBT support group, older persons organisation or indeed any other similar voluntary sector group, refugees and those seeking asylum are likely to come to you for help at some point.
But do you worry that you may not have enough information or knowledge to help them? Are you allowed to offer them a service? If you can't help how can you find specialist, reliable services to signpost or refer to? What does 'No Recourse to Public Funds' mean? Do refugees and asylum seekers have the same rights? What do these terms mean anyway?
This workshop will help you answer your questions in a supportive environment where no-one will think your questions are trivial or that you should already have the answers.
To reserve a free place please email hear@reap.org.uk including your name, organisation name and postcode, and stating whether you have any access requirements.

Venue
Meeting Rooms 1 and 2
The Culture Space
21 Surrey Quays Road
SE16 7AR
(immediately above Canada Water station)


Stand up for legal aid: Justice just got funny

Join us on February 23 for a star-studded night of comedy and music to support the Justice Alliance campaign against the cuts to legal aid. Tickets here   

Top class comedians supporting the campaign include hugely successful star of stand-up, TV and radio – Stephen K Amos; the "brilliantly funny" Stand Up for the Week star Angela Barnes; Cutting Edge team member and co-creator/writer of No Pressure to be Funny Alistair Barrie; Actor and comedian of stage and screen Kevin Eldon; the comedy legend that is Stewart Lee; hilarious comedian as seen on Live at the Apollo, QI, Mock The Week and Twenty Twelve (BBC) – Sara Pascoe; "sharp satirist and superb comic" and co-creator of topical satire podcast No Pressure to be Funny – Nick Revell; Political comedian and New Act of the Year Finalist – Joe Wells. With further amazing guests to be announced – justice just got funny!

More info and tickets: https://justiceallianceuk.wordpress.com/


Three days free training in Central London 24, 25 & 26 February 2015
 

·         Venue: Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA

·         Date: 24th, 25th & 26th February 2015

·         Time: 9.30am-4.30pm (registration from 9.15am)

·         Cost: The training provided and all delegate materials are free of charge to FSI Small Charity Members and Associate Members.  However we require a £50 deposit to secure your booking, £10 of this will be retained as a booking fee.

For the second year, the FSI will be providing three days of free training in London so that small charities can access the skills they need.
Training sessions cover a wide range of fundraising techniques and back office skills delivered by experienced and knowledgeable trainers. Each course has a market value of £310 per delegate place, course places are donated to small charities by the sponsors, donors, funders and Trustees of the FSI.
For more information click here
 


Improving access to crisis mental health services: for minority ethnic and refugee communities

When: Wednesday 25th February 2015, 10 am – 4:30pm including a buffet lunch
Where: Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road N7 6PA (PTO for directions)

DETAILS:
This free whole day conference aims to share learning about Mind in Harrow's 'Olole Isbedel' campaign; an innovative campaign highlighting the Somali community's experience of multiple disadvantage, including extreme poverty and severe mental ill health, which is inextricably linked to over representation in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). By hearing from experts in the field and drawing on recommendations made in Lord Bradley's Report and the Department of Health's Crisis Care Concordat, delegates will find out how they can positively
influence the campaign and transfer learnings across London. The conference will include:

  •  An overview of the culturally specific learnings from year 1 of the 'Olole Isbodel' campaign
  • An exploration of mental health crisis care and its link with the CJS
  • Learnings from local evidence, national research and guidance to achieve change in the current climate

For more information click here.


Who is in control? Re-thinking impacts of immigration


When: 26 Feb 2015 - 18:00 - 19:00

Where: UCL Laws, Bentham House, Endsleigh Gardens, London WC1H 0EG

Speaker: Professor Bridget Anderson (University of Oxford)

There has been and continues to be considerable academic and public debate on the impact of immigration, yet there has been little on the impact of immigration controls. When this is discussed it is solely with reference to migrants/non-citizens. In this paper I will start to open up this discussion. I will first consider how immigration control and enforcement affect citizens' engagement with labour markets, and family relations. I will move on to examine requirements on citizens to enforce controls and the increasing criminalization of immigration breaches for citizens as well as for migrants. I will then examine how controls re-regulate labour, and welfare states with a particular focus on EU migrants in the UK. I will end by suggesting that there is a need to rethink not just the impacts of migration, but an approach that takes migrants and marginalised citizens as competitors for privileges of membership. 

View more upcoming Current Legal Problems lectures

Fee Admission
Accreditation: This event is accredited with 1 CPD hour with the SRA (BSB pending)
To book a place at this lecture CLICK HERE

 


Seminar on Employment Through Small Business or Social Enterprise for Refugees and Migrants

Date: Thur 26th February
Time: 12.30pm – 5pm
Venue: Hackney CVS, 84 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street, E8 2LY
Organisations: Hackney Refugee Forum and Hackney Co-opertaive Developments

Are you a refugee or migrant living in Hackney?
Did you know setting up a business is easier than you think?
Come along to our event and find out about:
• Setting up a small business
• Setting up a social enterprise
• Getting online
• Impact on your benefits of starting a business
• Getting a job (including through social enterprise).

Just turn up, or to reserve your place on workshops book online http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seminar-on-employment-through-small-business-or-social-enterprise-for-refugees-and-migrants-tickets-15416711800  or call 020 7923 1962
Refreshments for early birds!


Gangmasters Licensing Authority conference on "Working together to protect vulnerable workers"
 

When: 2 Mar 2015 - 9:30 - 16:00

Where: Toyota Suite at the iPro Stadium Derby

The GLA is to host its first major UK conference and you have the chance to help shape the future of how we police the industry. Taking place at Derby County FC's superb iPro Stadium, we will invite law enforcement, gangmasters, labour users, retailers and other key stakeholders to attend.

Delegates will hear addresses from an impressive list of speakers including Modern Slavery Minister Karen Bradley MP and the new UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland.
For more information click here
If you have any questions please call 0115 959 7077 or email: conference@gla.gsi.gov.uk
To book now click here www.regonline.com/glaconference2015


Come to LAAMIGA WOMEN'S OPEN DAY to celebrate International Women's Day. Let us help you find your dream job or business.

When: SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2015 2pm–4.30pm women only event
Where: Cally Resource Centre, 140 Copenhagen Street, London N1 0ST

LAAMIGA is a charity on a mission to help enrich the lives of women from all backgrounds, minorities and refugee situations. We have made it our job to help you achieve what you desire in life and we are here to offer whatever help we can to aid you on your journey.
TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT LAAMIGA ON: INFO@LAAMIGA.ORG/ 0208257 7317
WWW.LAAMIGA.ORG


Conference: Labour migrants, social justice, trade union action
 

When: 12 Mar 2015 - 9:30

Where: The Mechanic Conference Centre, Mechanic Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD.

A one-day event to explore the actions and policies needed to protect the rights of migrant workers
Speakers:

  • Ruth Barnett, Equality and Human Rights Commission
  • Don Flynn,Migrants' Rights Network (MRN)
  • Zita Holbourne, Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts (Barac)
  • Rosa Crawford, Trades Uunion Congress
  • Representative of FNV-Bondgenoten/FNV the Netherlands  (To be confirmed)
  • Susan Cueva, UNISON
  • Representative from FIOM-CGIL, Italy  (To be confirmed)
  • Steve Craigg, UCATT

The conference is will be of interest to trade unionists, migrant community representatives, employment lawyers, local and regional economic planners, and researchers working in the field of emploment and migration.

For further information and to reserve a place contact  stefania.marino@mbs.ac.uk


Half-Day Conference on refugees at University College London
 

When: 13 Mar 2015 - 13:15 - 18:00

Where: Chadwick B05 Lecture Theatre, Chadwick Building, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT

Fear of persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, together with the economic results of frequent natural disasters has driven increasing numbers of people beyond their home country with far reaching effects for them and their families.

While the industrialized countries may be the desired goal of many, the vast majority of refugees remain in their region of displacement, being hosted by developing countries. In the UK, refugees represent only 0.23% of the population yet they are a bitterly contested arena.

This conference, bringing together academics and psychoanalysts, provides an opportunity for discussion of the psychological, social, cultural, asylum.

Speakers:

  • Judit Szekacs 'Emigration From Within'
  • Federica Mazzara 'Migratory Passages in Lampedusa: Gaining Visibility Through Documentary Art'
  • David Napier 'Who Cares for Refugees? Assessing Vulnerability in Times of Hardship'
  • Lionel Bailly 'The Psychic Cost of Safety'
  • Lesley Caldwell Chair

Admission: Standard ticket £15. UCL students and staff no admission fee

For more information and to register please visit: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychoanalysis/events
or contact events.psychoanalysis@ucl.ac.uk


Voices: Found - International Women's Week - Tower Hamlets
When: Friday 13th March - 5pm-7.20pm
Where: Praxis Community Projects (main Hall), Pott St., Bethnal Green, E2 0EF

Praxis Family Care invite you to a creative evening of world music, dance and celebration to showcase women's strength and resilience. All are welcome.
This event has been uniquely designed and organised by members of Praxis Family Care, a community support group for survivors of gender-based violence and trafficked women and their children.
Please RSVP to emma.gardiner@praxis.org.uk or at 0207 749 7985.


Migration and Human Rights: Perception v Reality 16th Annual Student Human Rights Conference

When:  28 Mar 2015 - 9:00 - 17:00

Where:  Law and Social Sciences Building, University of Nottingham

We are delighted to announce the 16th Annual Student Human Rights Conference Migration and Human Rights: Perception v Reality by the University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre. 

The conference will be held on Saturday 28 March 2015.This year, the conference committee will be welcoming papers from postgraduate students that discuss the following themes:

- Conceptualising the root causes of migration
- Discrimination of migrants and equal access to economic, social and cultural rights
- 'Global' freedom of movement: benefits and challenges
- Scrutinising security and migration 
- The human cost of migration: vulnerable migrants
- Modern slavery: combating trafficking and forced labour More information here.
The call for papers is now available, the deadline for submission of abstracts is Thursday 11 December 2014.

For further information contact the Student Conference Committee athumanrightsconference@nottingham.ac.uk


Research



Middlesex University London: Perinatal mental health: exploring women's community and voluntary organisations

This project looks at women's community groups and how they can help women who are experiencing mental health problems and who are unable or unwilling to access mainstream services. As part of the research, we want to speak to women's groups providing any services that address women's mental health and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and a year after giving birth.

Aims and Objectives for the project

  • To explore and map the provision of women's community support groups in North London
  • To understand the support women's community groups provide to women with perinatal mental health problems.

The proposed project will use qualitative research design.  We will collect data though focus groups with women who access community services and semi-structured interviews with women community service providers.  All the data including focus group and interview transcripts will be analysed using thematic analysis in the context of theory of collective action and social movements and feminist theory. Informed consent will be sought from each research participant and all data will be anonymized. 
For further information please contact Dr Elena Vacchelli at E.Vacchelli@mdx.ac.uk, phone 020 84114103; Patricia Jarrett at P.M.Jarrett@mdx.ac.uk, phone 020 84113701; Dr Andreja Mesaric at andreja.mesaric79@gmail.com or Lindsey Ahmet at l.ahmet@mdx.ac.uk phone: 020 8411 6752.
 


Jobs and Volunteering


Volunteer position at Cardinal Hume Centre

The Centre works with homeless young people, badly housed families, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, helping them to obtain employment and break out of the cycle of homelessness and social exclusion.
We are looking for volunteers to join a small team of dedicated staff in providing a welcoming environment in what at time can be a demanding and busy space. Whilst the main duties will involve admin/reception work there will be an opportunity to undertake a portion of initial assessments. Ideally, you will be a confident and patient person with a professional and friendly manner and able to remain calm under pressure.   

We are looking for:

  • Some experience of customer relations or dealing with a diverse range of people desirable
  • Well developed listening skills
  • An ability to communicate well and with confidence when handling enquiries
  • A professional and friendly phone manner
  • Some experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Experience of data entry desirable
  • A non judgemental attitude towards people's problems in their lives
  • A warm and friendly approach
  • Be sympathetic with homeless people and the challenges they are facing.
  • Ideally we would be looking for someone who is able to speak Arabic, Amharic,Tigrynia

Time commitment:At least half a day a week.  Half days would be 9am to 1pm and 1pm to 4.30pm. A full day would be 9am to 4.30pm.  We are also looking for people who can do an evening shift from 5 – 7.30 pm on a Wednesday 12:00 – 4:30pm on a Friday .
Please contact the Volunteering Team on 020 7222 1602 or info@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk
 www.cardinalhumecentre.org.uk.
 


Volunteer with Making the Leap

Making The Leap is a London based youth and social mobility charity that aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged school children and young people; by inspiring hope, raising aspirations and changing futures, we aim to help young Londoners to fulfil their potential. Our programmes provide young people with key skills and encourage self-development, whilst enhancing their understanding of the world of work and increasing their life chances.   
Volunteering Opportunity:
We work in secondary schools across London, providing an eleven module educational programme for children as they prepare to go out on work experience, as well as providing bespoke programmes to address the specific needs of a school. All our programmes have the aim of exposing school children to the right skills and attitude to succeed in life, in and beyond school.
Volunteering project working with disadvantaged school children; aiming to inspire hope, raise aspirations and change futures.
The role of the volunteer is to deliver our fun and engaging skills programme in secondary schools. The programme aims to help disadvantaged school children to fulfil their potential and raise their aspirations by equipping them with key life skills and self-confidence, whilst enhancing their understanding of the world of work and increasing their life chances.
We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who would like to become involved in delivering our exciting programme in schools.  The project involves volunteers delivering a minimum of one module per week as part of an 11 module programme to students from year 9 upwards in order to prepare them for their future progression.  
Please e-mail your CV and short note about why you are interested in Making The leap to Scarlett at scarlett.mccalla@makingtheleap.org.uk
 


The BBC World Service is seeking bilingual, would-be journalists in the UK to apply for its new training scheme.

It's seeking 12 people in the first wave who are fluent in English and one of the 28 World Service languages and who can also demonstrate a potential for reporting.
Those who are selected will get a week's training before beginning three-week work experience placements in BBC News at London's Broadcasting House in March. They will spend time with a language service and with one of the UK news programmes in English.
Budget boost
The opportunity has been made possible by a World Service budget boost this year. 
The scheme is being promoted around the UK, via local radio, Asian Network and BBC One, in an attempt to get the message out to as many people as possible.
Job prospects
Alongside English, applicants must be fluent in one of the following: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Dari, English, French, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Kiswahili, Kyrgyz, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek and Vietnamese.
Those selected will not be paid a salary during the placement, but will receive expenses and may be eligible for accommodation in London.
For more information click here.


Transitions inviting refugee electrical engineers to apply for work experience with Network Rail of 2 weeks to 3 months in length, followed by job application support to Network Rail

Inviting referrals of graduate electrical engineers with refugee background to place and support in structured Electrical Engineering 2wk to 3 month work experience placements at Network Rail (ie length may be flexible.) followed by job application support to Network Rail.  Network Rail are looking for additional electrical engineers to hire. 
 
The placements will be in the HQ at Milton Keynes, north of London. All travel costs/meals refunded.  At the moment it is otherwise unpaid.   JCP clients should be able to remain on benefits during placement. Transitions will actively support that.  
 
Selection criteria: 
 
MUST have at least level 2 English skills (non certificated is OK). 
MUST have refugee background (if they now have ILR, British Citizenship or other that is fine. Family reunion also fine) 
MUST live in London
MUST be Electrical Engineer, either Graduate (Overseas and/or UK) or equivalent to around Level 6 

For further information visit http://www.transitions-london.co.uk/ or contact Sheila Heard at 020 86424431.


Funding


 TWO MORE YEARS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR STRATEGIC LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE YOUNG MIGRANTS
 
The Strategic Legal Fund for Vulnerable Young Migrants (SLF) is launching a new phase of grant-making from January 2015 to December 2017. Small one-off grants are available to NGOs and private law firms for pre-litigation research and third party interventions, which uphold the rights of migrant children and young people in the UK.
  
Full details of what the SLF funds are available on its website: http://www.strategiclegalfund.org.uk.
For more information, please contact the Project Manager, Gerry Hickey, on 020 7254 7272 or at SLF@migrationwork.org.


Virgin Money announces new charitable foundation and welcomes £4 million government donation

Virgin Money has announced the launch of the Virgin Money Foundation – a new charitable foundation that will invest in projects designed to benefit the communities in which Virgin Money works.

The announcement coincided with a visit by The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to Virgin Money's store in Stockton-on-Tees, where he announced £4 million of Government funding for the Virgin Money Foundation to support charitable projects in the North-East of England. This funding complements the £1 million that Virgin Money announced in September 2014 that it would invest in North-East community projects.

All money donated will be invested into community projects and Virgin Money will cover the operating costs of the new Virgin Money Foundation, which will be independent from the bank, with its own Chair and Board of Trustees. It is expected that the Virgin Money Foundation will become fully operational during the first half of 2015.

For more information, click here


Scottish Power - Energy People Trust  

Future application deadlines: 19 May 2015 and 15 September 2015.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available to registered charities in Great Britain for projects that address fuel poverty explicitly and as the primary purpose and include the provision of energy efficiency advice. Organisations can apply for funding to support projects or schemes covering the following:

  • Energy efficiency measures - improving home energy efficiency through draught proofing, insulating and/or other practical measures.
  • Income maximisation - providing funding to front line charities that carry out benefits advice to households missing out on financial help that they are entitled to through welfare benefits and tax credits.
  • Fuel debt assistance - providing assistance, or funding the provision by other persons of assistance, to reduce or cancel debts for household electricity or gas supply, where such assistance is provided as part of a package of measures aimed at providing customers with long-term relief from fuel poverty.
  • Any combination of the above.

A maximum of 30 fully completed applications will be presented to the Trustees at any one meeting and applications are considered on a first come, first served basis. Any eligible and complete applications not dealt with will be carried forward to the next meeting.


O2 Think Big. - Helping Young People to Tackle Problems in Society. The next deadline is 11th March 2015.

O2 Think Big aims to find young people with great ideas and help them turn their ideas into reality. This is done by awarding funding and delivering training and support. Projects have to help the community or tackle a problem with society. Projects that only help one person will not be accepted. Beyond that, applicants can do everything or anything - in fact the more bold and creative the ideas, the better. Full details on their website.


CARA's UK Programme application deadline is 17:00 on Friday 27th March

The UK Programme provides grants to enable persecuted at-risk academics residing in the UK to return to academia, or an allied profession, at a level commensurate with their skills and experience. We can support academic and professional courses, structured work placements and associated costs, including tuition fees, travel, registration fees, exam fees, bench fees, books, research costs, IT equipment, childcare etc.

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for a CARA grant you must; 

  • Have experience as a paid Lecturer or Researcher in a university or higher education institution in your home country (NB. Experience in a third country may also be considered if there is valid reason you cannot return home in safety) and;
  • Have left your country or your occupation as a result of political, racial or religious oppression or discrimination or the fear of such oppression and discrimination.

How to apply

If you believe you are eligible, please contact CARA to request an Enquiry Form, which once completed and returned, will allow us to verify your eligibility.
For more information click here
The deadline for applications to the next Allocation Committee Meeting is 17:00 on Friday 27th March 2015.  The Committee will meet to make decisions in June.



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FW: Supporting Influence - supporting VCS and Healthwatch reps on HWBs - At your Fingertips data training: 27th March

At your fingertip: datasets and indicators training with Public Health England - 27th March from 10 am - 12pm

There is a lot of data available to voluntary & community sector (VCS) organisations- both from within the organisations and from public bodies working in health, care and in the wider determinants of health- data that is often open source- data which can build into "intelligence"  (defined as "appropriate, tailored collection and interpretation of information which is useful to the user").

In some areas VCS evidence has historically been excluded from joint strategic needs assessments for different reasons, including not "fitting" with the larger datasets or being so rigorously tested. However, additional intelligence from the VCS can complement statutorily collected data, to offer a richer, more accurate and up to date picture of local communities.

Regional Voices worked with NHS Confederation and the Local Government Association to produce a publication (previously publicised) for health and wellbeing boards (and their component commissioners and policy makers) about the value of the intelligence held by the VCS - Comparing Apples with Oranges - How to make better use of voluntary and community sector evidence to improve health outcomes.

There is a growing interest in VCS about how it works with "evidence" (both data that the VCS holds and open source data from statutory sources) to develop a compelling case for change to commissioners in health and wellbeing. For these reason, Regional Voices also developed a series of case studies that show different ways the VCS is using its data to develop intelligence that can effectively influence commissioning and thus health outcomes for the people the sector serves.

Public Health England and data tools

Public Health England has developed a number of tools which display suites of indicators for different aspects of health and wellbeing using software called fingertips. These profiles are a rich source of indicators across a range of health and wellbeing themes and have been designed to support JSNA and commissioning to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce inequalities.

 

At your fingertips data tools training

To support VCS organisations, London for All  and LVSC have set up data training with Public Health England support organisations to better understand Public Health indicators and datasets; use the tools and export the datasets behind the tools to apply them locally.

27th March from 10am – 1pm (registration from 9.30am)

This date is reserved for VCS and Healthwatch reps on the Health & Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) even though the VCS organisations that want to influence their Boards in the boroughs where there are no VCS reps are also welcome to register.

Please contact Sandra van der Feen, LVSC for more information:Sandra@lvsc.org.uk

We can only register up to 25 participants due to the practical nature of the training. If you register, you are kindly requested to bring a laptop with you. If that isn't possible, please contact Sandra above.

More information and registration for 27th March

Objectives of the training:

  • To develop an understanding of the broad range of indicators and datasets available within the fingertips tools.
  • To be able to use the tools to understand how local authorities compare with others and what has happened over time.
  • To be able to export the dataset behind the tools and use locally.

 

ALTERNATIVE DATE - London for All

2nd March: more information and registration

Please contact Deirdre McGrath, London for All/LVSC for more information: deirdre@lvsc.org.uk

 

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ABOUT REGIONAL VOICES This e bulletin is published monthly by LVSC as the London region member of Regional Voices.

Regional Voices Logo

Regional Voices champions the work of voluntary and community organisations to improve health, well-being and care, across England. Regional Voices is a partnership of nine regional networks. Together, we directly connect to over 25,000 voluntary and community organisations. Our coverage is broad, deep and well-established. Our vision is for a society where voluntary and community organisations are connected with decision-makers at all levels, able to influence policy and improve community health, care and well-being through better services.

Regional Voices partnership is hosted by Involve Yorkshire and Humber,Registered charity number 1127119   |   Company registration number 6752034

London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)

Registered charity number 276886   |   Company registration number 1395546

We try to check all the information in this bulletin and the web sites it links to, but we cannot accept responsibility for the contents of the websites and articles or guarantee their validity. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.

Telephone: 020 7832 5830   |   Email: info@lvsc.org.uk   

Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.