Special Announcements

Supporting Refugee Community Organisations’ (RCOs) role in integration in London
27 September 2010

The Basis Project would like to invite you to their London Region Conference. This event seeks to encourage dialogue among representatives of RCOs, funders and policymakers, to generate practical responses for long-term sustainability of the RCO sector in the current policy and funding climate. For further information or to register, please contact Alain Munyangabe on 0207 346 1297 or alain.munyangabe@refugeecouncil.org.uk

‘Big Conversation’: Event for RCOs and development workers in the North East
9 September 2010, 9.30am – 3.30pm, Newcastle

Basis, Regional Forum North East and NERS invite you to this ‘Big Conversation’ to share and exchange experiences, perspectives, challenges and ideas about what works in supporting the development of Refugee RCOs. No speeches, no presentations – just RCOs and development workers talking together, listening, sharing, learning and problem solving. If you would like to attend, please contact Herbert Dirahu at herbert.dirahu@refugeevoices.org.uk or call 01642 232446

News

Refugees into Teaching clients feature in Times Educational Supplement (TES)

Clients of the Refugee Council’s Refugees into Teaching (RiT) project appeared in last week’s TES, in an article describing the difficulties that refugee teachers can experience in finding appropriate employment in Britain. RiT provides support to those who are struggling to become qualified or are in need of advice.

Refugee Council produces briefing on recent developments relating to the plans to return unaccompanied children to Afghanistan

This briefing explains the latest developments by the UK Border Agency to establish a returns programme for unaccompanied children. Initially focusing on the potential return of boys aged 16 and 17 who face forced removal to Afghanistan, the briefing gives the latest update on the progress of the plans including the changes being made to the asylum process for children.

Voice your concerns about government spending cuts now

RCOs face an uncertain future following the public funding cuts announced by the government. The more we know about the difficulties facing RCOs, the better positioned we are to respond. Is your RCO facing tough times as a result of public funding cuts? If so we would like to hear your anecdotal evidence. Please email your evidence or any queries to Jean-Pierre Mafutala at Jeanpierre.mafutala@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Settlement Protection: five year reviews and indefinite leave to remain

Refugees granted refugee or humanitarian protection status after 30 August 2005 will need to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the month before their limited leave expires. The first cases of these will reach the end of their leave on August 30 2010, and it is extremely important that people submit their application before their existing leave expires.

Funding

Global Community Links Grant Programme (UK)

UK based community groups that have existing links with community groups in the developing world have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Department for International Development’s (DIFID) Global Community Links programme. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 can be applied for.

Closing date for applications: 1 September 2010

Funding to Promote Financial Inclusion (UK)

The Friends Provident Foundation makes grants of up to £200,000 to not-for profit organisations for projects that address financial exclusion within disadvantaged communities. The Foundation will consider applications for work that will make a strategic contribution to the overall outcome of financial inclusion in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 22 October 2010

People’s Postcode Trust (England & Scotland)

Through the People’s Postcode Trust funding of between £500 and £10,000 (£2,000 if not a registered charity) will be available to small organisations and community groups operating in the areas of Poverty Prevention; Advancement of Health; Community Development; Public Sports; Human Rights; and Environmental Protection. Projects supported can last for up to 3 months.

Training and resources

Introduction to health and social care course at Praxis Community Project

This is a great opportunity for refugees who either have a background in social care or have an interest in developing a career in the sector. The 10 week course starts in September and is open to refugees. For more information phone 020 7729 7985.

Deadline for applications: 27 August 2010

Influencing Change – an introductory course
Autumn 2010

This Sheila McKechnie Foundation training is a four-day course spread over four months. The course focuses on how local authorities, Parliament and central government make decisions, and offers information and expert advice on how to influence them. For more information and to apply, email erin.turner@smk.org.uk

Consultancy support for tendering

If your organisation is thinking about tendering for public services, or is going to complete a tender submission, the NAVCA Tender Support Project can help. It provides one day of specialist tender consultancy specifically for your organisation.

Refugee communities and representation

Four short video reports from the conference on Refugee Communities and Representation, that took place in Manchester last month. The videos include Conference overview; Extracts from the keynote speech by Jonathan Ellis; RCOs and the Big Society; RCOs and Local Strategic Partnerships.

Information seminar – becoming a magistrate

Operation Black Vote and the Ministry of Justice are hosting a FREE seminar in London for the Somali community. The seminar will increase awareness about the work of the courts, and encourage people to become Magistrates. For reservations, please call Merlene Carrington on 0208 983 5430.

Forced Marriage E-learning Tool

This training aims to give you an understanding of the issues that you my face when dealing with forced marriage cases. It is module based and takes roughly 75 minutes to complete the whole course.

FREE Health Adviceline

This adviceline is being piloted by the government and aims to provide expert advice and support to managers from small organisations. If you or anyone in your team is experiencing ill health, call on 0800 0 77 88 44.

Events

Refugee Council: Meet the funder seminar
19 August 2010, FREE

This Development Team funding seminar will give refugee community organisations (RCOs) the opportunity to talk to funders and also provide funders with the chance to promote their funding programmes, explain their selection criteria, define their funding remit and outline their funding priorities. Four charitable trusts and foundations will speak at this event including Trust for London. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Refugee Council: How do LAAs and LSPs work?
1 September 2010, 12pm – 5.30pm, FREE

Understanding Local Area Agreements (LAAs) is vital for all voluntary and community organisations working at borough level. This training course will provide an insight into how LAAs and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) work; it will outline the key areas of interest for refugee communities, and it will give an overview of how they are impacting the Voluntary and Community Sector in London. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

City of Sanctuary National Conference
13 September, 10.30am-4pm, Birmingham City Centre

This year’s national conference will feature inspiring stories from City of Sanctuary initiatives across the UK, including Swansea, which has recently become Wales’ first official City of Sanctuary. Guest speakers, including Dr Ibrahim Shaw from the UWE ‘Refugee & Migrant Support Hub’, will explore ways of creating ‘Universities of Sanctuary’ – opening up access to higher education for people seeking sanctuary.

Vacancies

Volunteer for the Refugee Council

Could you be a mentor, an English conversation tutor, a community advocate or an employment adviser? Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the work of the Refugee Council and we currently have volunteering vacancies in various regions of the country. If you would like to develop your skills, improve your knowledge of refugee issues and have fun, visit our website for more information.