Keeping refugee community organisations informed – a fortnightly email from the Basis Project 

Welcome to the fifth issue of 2011. To subscribe to this emai please contact  development@refugeecouncil.org.uk

 News 
Protect refugees and migrants fleeing Libya

Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing violence in Libya and seeking safety in neighbouring countries. We are supporting Amnesty International’s campaign action calling for EU member states, including the UK, to urgently offer meaningful support both to the refugees fleeing for their lives, and to Libya’s neighbouring states that are witnessing the worst of the humanitarian crisis. Take action today.

Refugee Council research on experiences of post-16 education and training

We are conducting research about refugees’ and asylum seekers’ experiences of post-16 education. In April and May, researchers will be conducting confidential interviews with people who have tried to join education and training courses in the UK. Interviewees will be compensated for their time.

If you wish to take part, or would like more information, contact: Lisa Doyle lisa.doyle@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Africa-UK supporting the Diaspora’s contribution to Africa’s development

This year’s programme includes training sessions, special interests groups, policy workshops, networking opportunities and the publication of essays and reports written by Africans active in development. The programme is delivered by the Royal African Society and AFFORD as part of Comic Relief’s Common Ground Initiative.
For information and registration of interest forms: alex@africa-uk.org  and betty@africa-uk.org

New services from LVSC’s Personnel, Employment Advice and Conciliation Service (PEACe)

PEACe provides voluntary and community sector employers in London with expert support and advice on all employment related issues.  With the end of funding, PEACe is developing new services from 4 April 2011.   

Funding 

Reaching Communities: England

Reaching Communities funds projects helping people and communities most in need. Projects can be new or existing, or be an organisation’s core work.

There are two strands:
Reaching Communities – funds from £10k to £500k for revenue projects/small capital projects up to £50k, and Reaching Communities buildings – funds of between £100,000 and £500,000 for large capital projects. 

For information and to check eligibility visit the Big website. 
 
Grassroots Grants – Additional Funding Programme

This programme applies to projects in Greenwich, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark, Westminster. The aim is to help build thriving local communities, bring people from different backgrounds together and empower them to achieve change in their communities.  Any local voluntary or community group with an income under £30,000 per annum can apply for up to £5,000. Grants must be spent by 30 September 2011.

For information and to apply vist the Captial Community Foundation website. Deadline Friday 8 April 2011 5pm
 
 Training and resources

“Migrant Communities and the ‘Big Society’ – Struggling to Belong in the Age of Austerity”

Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum (MRCF) has just launched their new website and report on migrant and refugee community organisations (MRCOs) and the Big Society.  The report lays out why MRCOs exist, what they do, past and future challenges, and what they need to do now.  Read the report online.  

Are you interested in Adult Social Care?
Praxis is running a course for refugees who want to develop a career in this field with or without previous experience.  The course is accredited Level 2 Certificate in ‘Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care’, and runs over 15 weeks.  For more information: Tel: 020 7729 7985 or visit Praxis. 

Deadline:  Monday 11 April 2011 5pm
 
Supporting Group Work and Policy Engagement – Wednesday 11 May 2011 9.30am – 4pm
London Voluntary Sector Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London,  N7 6PA 

Part of the Creating Changes project,  this course is for those who work with small community groups as part of their ongoing unpaid or paid role, including supporting community groups to develop and work collectively within and between groups, and supporting them to work collectively to understand and engage in policies that affect communities and small groups. 

For more information contact Suki Shergill: Tel: 0114 2536774 Email: suki@fcdl.org.uk 
 
Does your group work with children or provide activities for them?
The Safe Network standards have been launched to help non-statutory organisations put in place clear safeguarding arrangements for children and young people.  They cover essential safeguarding areas including staff and volunteers, child protection, preventing and responding to bullying, avoiding accidents and running safe activities and events. 

Read the standards online.

Events

Health and Human Rights – London, Liverpool and Birmingham

The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) is running free introductory sessions in London, Liverpool and Birmingham for voluntary sector organisations working on issues of health and social care in these regions.  The focus is on making the links between human rights and health care, using human rights mechanisms, and building a network for health and human rights.  The London session is on Tuesday 5 April.

For further information contact Ellie Keen: Tel: 020 7549 0562  Email: ekeen@bihr.org.uk
 
What is immigration detention?  Wednesday 20 April 2011, 6pm  –  9pm
Old Town Hall, Council Chamber, 29 The Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ

What happens when people are detained?  What can communities, faith groups and voluntary groups do to help both detainees and those that are then released?  Hear testimonies from individuals who were detained, and from a panel of experts on hard-to-answer questions. 

This event is hosted by RAMFEL, the London Detainee Support Group, Praxis, the Dover Detainee Visitors Group and the Detention Forum.

Book your place: Email Lucy@ramfel.org.uk  Tel: 020 8478 4513  
 
Safety Through Justice Conference Friday 27 May, 9.30am – 4pm
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, 65 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1HT

This free conference is for non lawyers, and aimed at building individual and organisational capacity to identify victims of trafficking and respond effectively. Specialist legal practitioners will lead practical sessions on identifying victims of trafficking and their rights under a range of protective measures.

Free, but advance booking and confirmation of place is required. More information, booking form and map.

Vacancies 

Health Advocacy Project bilingual volunteers –  Manor Gardens Centre, London

The Manor Gardens Centre is recruiting bilingual volunteers for its health advocacy service. The volunteer programme includes the accredited Bilingual Advocacy course and is for individuals who have achieved a qualification in interpreting (Level 3 or equivalent).

To apply contact Eleanor Tomlinson, Health Advocacy Project Worker: Tel: 020 7272 5336  Email:  Eleanor@manorgardenscentre.org

Deadline: Thursday 31 March 2011

Process Engineers – Greenford, London
Salary: unspecified

Olmec are recruiting a number of Process Engineer positions, on either a contract or permanent basis. Successful candidates will work in a busy team within a large engineering, procurement and construction organisation based in the Greenford area.

For information and how to apply, contact Brynley Parker: Tel: 020 7749 5108  Email:  bryn.parker@olmec-ec.org.uk

Deadline: Friday 1 April 2011
  

NCVO Internship Public Services and Charities, London

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is recruiting an intern to work on public services and charities, and welcomes applicants from refugee communities.  Based in London, the post is part/full time. We pay London / travel expenses only. 

If you have questions before 31 March: Email: fiona.sheil@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

Deadline: Friday 8 April 2011 email to fiona.sheil@ncvo-vol.org.uk
 
Training Officer INTRAC – maternity cover
Salary: c. £19,000 per annum; temporary full-time post for a minimum of six months.  Preferred start date: 23 May 2011.

The main purpose of the role is to work closely with the Training Manager in delivering the Open Training programme in the UK, including managing the logistics and all communications and administration of the participants (from enquiry through to post course follow up).

Find out more information, and download the full job description and application form here.

Deadline: Monday 11 April 12 noon     Interview date: Tuesday 19 April 2011