Special Announcement

How are the government spending cuts affecting your RCO?

The Refugee Council is carrying out research on the UK government spending cuts policy as they affect refugee community organisations (RCOs). We are very keen to hear about your experiences which we hope to use as a platform for media work and evidence for lobbying during the political party conferences in September 2010. The more we know about the difficulties facing your RCO, the better positioned we are to respond.

Another survey—yes but an important one!! Please take ten minutes to respond to this online survey. If you have any questions please email Jean-Pierre Mafutala at jeanpierre.mafutala@refugeecouncil.org.uk

News

Rights of Women’s new research highlights concerns about UKBA responses to violence against women

New Rights of Women research Measuring up? UK compliance with international commitments on violence against women in England and Wales assesses current UK policy and law relating to violence against women – and how this measures up to UK commitments under international law. Rights of Women’s Cate Briddick discusses the research in Women’s Asylum News.

Refugee children share their experiences on Women’s Hour

Three fantastic teenagers who came to the UK with their families as refugees have talked about their memories of fleeing their countries for Radio 4’s Women’s Hour. Their mature and sometimes even humorous accounts are a refreshingly positive example of how families have been able to rebuild their lives in the UK. Listen to their stories at their website.

Where do the Labour leader candidates stand on violence against women?

The End Violence Against Women Campaign recently asked the five Labour party members who are standing in the leadership contest how they would tackle violence against women and girls. Do their responses measure up? Read them at their website.

 

Funding

HACT’s Golden Projects Competition

To celebrate HACT’s Golden Jubilee, 10 applicants, through the Golden Projects Competition, will get the opportunity to become HACT’s pilot projects – receiving an award of £5K per project, expert support and widespread promotion. A larger award of initially £30K will be available for 2 to 3 of the pilot projects to really take off in 2011.

Deadline for applications: 4 October 2010

A B Charitable Trust (ABCT) funding

ABCT seeks to support small and medium-sized charities working close to the ground, particularly those working with refugees and victims of torture; prisoners; older people; people with mental health problems. Small grants of up to £5,000 are available, along with larger grants which could be awarded on a regular basis. For more information please visit their website.

Sheffield City Council – Short Breaks Grant Programme (Yorkshire & Humberside)

This grants programme is designed to give families of severely disabled children a one off payment to access short break activities, providing a break from the additional responsibilities that often come hand in hand with looking after a disabled child. The fund can be used flexibly, for example, for a short break for the whole family or perhaps a weekend away for the parents.

Deadline for applications: 30 December 2010

Equitable Charitable Trust (UK)

Charitable organisations working towards educating young people, especially young people with disabilities and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds can apply for funding of up to £30,000 through the Equitable Charitable Trust. Previously funded projects have included supplementary classes / schools.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Training and resources

Coventry: Train the Trainer
13 September 2010, FREE (travel costs will be reimbursed on production of receipts) with lunch provided

This Financial Literacy Project Train the Trainer seminar aims to give attendees the skills, experience and confidence to deliver training in their communities. The seminar will relate to delivering financial literacy training, but could also be applied to other topics. For more information or to book contact Karla McLaren on karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk or 020 7346 1094.

Birmingham: Financial Literacy Project (FLP) workshops
October 2010 (various dates), FREE (travel costs will be reimbursed on production of receipts) with lunch provided

The Refugee Council FLP provides support and advice on financial literacy to individuals with refugee backgrounds, and their communities. These FREE workshops aim to tackle financial exclusion. Workshops will cover Budgeting, Business Start up, Cash Management and UK Banking Services. For more information or to book contact Karla McLaren on karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk or 020 7346 1094.

Women’s Resource Centre Training
Various dates

The Women’s Resource Centre is offering the following training: Partnerships – getting off to a good start (29 September 2010); Strategic Planning (13 October 2010); Sustainable Funding – exploring the options (21 October 2010). For further information email development@wrc.org.uk.

FREE Mental Health First Aid Training

Islington Mind is offering this FREE training to people living or working in Islington. The training will teach: how to help someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained; how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help. For more information contact chillel.williams@islingtonmind.org.uk

FREE toolkit for nonprofits to become more visible online

The Internet Advertising Bureau has launched a free guide on search engine optimisation, to help third sector organisations make their websites easier to find. Search Toolkit for Charities and Public Sector, includes case studies from high-profile charities such as Oxfam, explaining how it increased awareness for a campaign through the use of SEO.

Events

The ‘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.

Detention Advice Service’s (DAS) Conference and AGM
13 September 2010, 10am, London

At this year’s DAS conference and AGM the newly appointed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick CBE, will be the Keynote Speaker. Topics discussed will include: Immigration Legislative powers over the years; The use of Detention & Deportation powers; Bail and Challenging Immigration Detention. For more information email el@detentionadvice.ork.uk or call 020 7254 6888.

Refugee Council: Evidencing need for funding applications
15 September 2010, FREE

One of the challenges RCOs face when fundraising for their projects and programme activities is to demonstrate that there is a need for the organisation/community to carry out their activities. This course will include sources from official statistics, methods for carrying out your own research, and ways of effectively using information to make your funding applications stronger. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Leeds: Regional Conference: Stronger Together? Working Effectively and Tackling New Challenges in Partnership
16 September 2010, 10am – 4pm

Third sector organisations must look carefully at current and potential partners to continue to deliver a more innovative and cost effective solution. This ACEVO conference is for CEOs, Trustees and Senior Managers from third sector organisations, and will cover various topics, including Leadership skills for effective engagement.

Refugee Council: Business Start up
28 September 2010, FREE (travel expenses and child care costs reimbursed and lunch provided)

This Financial Literacy Project training will provide an introduction to setting up in business and to becoming self-employed for refugees and asylum seekers. The training will be delivered by Angela McLean, highly successful and experienced entrepreneur and trainer. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Refugee Council: Social Enterprise for Communities
1 October 2010, FREE (travel expenses and child care costs reimbursed and lunch provided)

This Financial Literacy Project training will provide practical information for individuals and refugee community organisations interested in setting up a social enterprise, in particular: organisational models; sources of revenue; planning and setting up a social enterprise. This training will be delivered by Social Enterprise London. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Birmingham: Midlands Forum Adapting to Change: Keeping Your Organisation Strong and Sustainable
21 October 2010, 9.30am – 3.30pm, Birmingham, £85

This forum will explore the changes in policy that will effect the work of the third sector nationally and then more specifically in the Midlands region and how your leadership as a Chief Executive will be key to adapting your organisation through these changes to remain successful. The importance of keeping your organisation sustainable will also be addressed by covering sustainable business models.

Vacancies

Jesuit Refugee Service Project Director
€1,000 gross salary per month, plus rent and insurance, Morocco

The Jesuit Refugee Service is a Catholic organisation whose mission is to accompany, to serve and to advocate for refugees and forcibly displaced people. The Project Director will have the overall responsibility for designing and implementing projects in Casablanca and will develop a strategy that is adapted to the needs of migrants as well as the mission of JRS and its means. For more information please visit their website.

Barnet Refugee Service (BRS) Refugee Youth Worker
£23,976 pa (incl OLW) Pro Rata, 18 hours per week, 1 year contract

BRS wishes to appoint an enthusiastic part-time Refugee Youth Worker to join a small and friendly team. The post holder will be responsible for developing existing or new projects while ensuring young refugees and asylum seekers have access to a wide range of services and activities. You will have experience of working with young refugees and asylum seekers. For an application pack please email admin@b-r-s.org.uk, or call 020 8905 9002.

Barnet Refugee Service (BRS) Volunteer Development Co-coordinator
£26,401 pro rata, 18 Hours per week, 1 year fixed contract

BRS wishes to appoint a highly motivated and experienced coordinator to recruit and manage our volunteer force. You will need experience of coordinating volunteering services or similar support services to a vulnerable client group, supervising volunteers and partnership work with other organisations and agencies. For an application pack please email admin@b-r-s.org.uk, or call 020 8905 9002.

Barking and Dagenham CVS Community Development and Resource Centre Manager
£36,000, full-time

Barking & Dagenham CVS is about to take over the management of a newly refurbished three-floor building in the centre of Barking. Taking responsibility for the management of the building, you will develop it into a vibrant voluntary and community resource centre, while also managing the CVS Development Team that will be delivering support to local groups. For more information please visit their website.