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EALING REFUGEE FORUM ANNUAL REPORT NOVEMBER 2004 CONTENT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Baling Refugee Forum (ERF) Aims and Objectives 1.2 Keynote Speech 2. ERF AS AN ORGANISATION 2.1 Member Organizations to the Ealing Refugee Forum 2.2 Partners 2.3 Management Committee 2.4 Resources 3. COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP 4. ACTIVITIES 5. FINANCIAL REPORT 2003/04 6. APPENDICES 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 EALING REFUGEE FORUM Ealing Refugee Forum (ERF) was founded in 1996 and was the first forum in west London owned and led by refugees through their own individual community organisations. Ealing Refugee Forum, or ERF as it is commonly known, is the voice of the refugee community in Ealing and as such acts the representative of their member's interests. As a body Ealing Refugee Forum promotes and supports refugee organisations to enable specific and common needs and interests to be identified and met. Ealing Refugee Forum was the foundation stone on which other Forums were built in the West London Area. 1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES WHO ARE WE? Ealing Refugee Forum was established in 1996 as the representative body for refugee community organisations with clients in the London Borough of Ealing. WHY ARE WE HERE? • Refugees should control their own destinies • What unites our communities is more important than what divides us • Working together in the Forum is a practical expression of that common interest and strengthens all our communities. Ealing Refugee Forum therefore exists to strengthen refugee communities in the borough and represent their joint interests. WHAT DO WE DO? We provide a voice for refugee organisations in the London Borough of Ealing in discussions and negotiations with statutory, voluntary and other relevant organisations. We act as a forum to discuss issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers. We act as a consultative body for the discussion of the Council's as well as other statutory agencies' policies/strategies on refugee and race related issues. We seek funding from a wide variety of sources to assist refugee organisations within the London Borough of Ealing. We provide a network for the dissemination of information, good practice and the sharing of skills and support refugee community organisations to develop services for their community members. We actively promote the valuable contribution refugee organisations make to the community. We enter into partnership with appropriate agencies to further the aims of the Forum and to produce tangible benefits for refugee organisations within the London Borough of Ealing. 2.5 KEYNOTE SPEECH CHAIR OF EALING REFUGEE FORUM MR EDMOND MICHAELS
Introduction Who are we talking about? We are talking about people - People who do not feel safe in their own communities or lands for different reasons. Persons, who due to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership of a particular social group or holding a political opinion, are unable to or, as a result of such fear, are unwilling to stay in the protection of their own country. By definition we are talking about those most vulnerable in our society, those who genuinely contribute more than any statistic can ever show, because statistics only record those that are above the line. This does not necessarily represent the majority of refugees in Ealing who often feel isolated, insecure and vulnerable in today's modern environment, and often exist below the line. Nevertheless the protection awarded to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK is to be applauded, however rehabilitation can be difficult, as peoples displaced, often through war or persecution, are traumatised, confused and vulnerable. They do not necessarily understand the bureaucracy of the system and to get adapted to it therefore come to rely on their own communities to provide that helping hand, advice and most importantly support and security. This is where the Ealing Refuge Forum comes into its own; a mature umbrella for refugee organisations, each provides their communities with essential care, advocacy and community services. United We Stand Refugee communities each have their own culture and common needs. However, by working together, with one voice, we demonstrate strength, unity, and are able to identify problems and work out solutions, enabling all communities to benefit from harmony and integration of wide ranging cultures. We balance the need to retain our individual community identities with working together for the good of all refugees and displaced peoples. We encourage social integration but we also promote the importance of the communities reserving their culture, tradition and heritage. Challenges Ahead Limited Resources - Grant Aid Although we fully recognize that the Local Authority has a Grants function that has been in existence for some time, and we fully appreciate the financial support that the Council provides to the voluntary and refugee sector, we believe there is a wide range of public organisations providing grants who have no overall policy for funding. Grants generally awarded annually which means that groups have to re-apply for funding every year. This undermines stability and any long term planning. Huge efforts have to be put into obtaining funding which should be directed into serving our communities. Most of the money for ERF comes from Renewal. The Council last year awarded ERF with the sum of £5000. This was not enough to support even the basics and we hope that the Council will reconsider any future funding allocation to ERF. The lack of adequate funding to sustain the work of the Haling Refugee Forum has meant that we will not be able to continuing functioning if this situation remains as it is.
Local Policies and Strategies We suffer from a lack of any local strategic policies with regards to refugees and asylum seekers in Ealing on the part of the major partners. As a result we have no clear ideas of how we fit into their plans or how we can help achieve their objectives in respect to refugees. Partners seem to have strategies for almost everything - refugees are not a new issue in Ealing - Why then no clear direction? Are we an embarrassment that no one wished to discuss us properly? Despite positive words and lip service to the refugee cause is there anyone brave enough to put words into practice? The exception to this is what the Community and Neighbourhood Strategy Unit has recently offered ERF under the IEG programme. This programme will allow technology to improve the access and delivery of ERF services to its members. We also appreciate the Council's objective by working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector with a view to supporting and further developing the sector's information and communications technology i.e. ICT capability this is a positive step forward. Shortage of Staff Because of the lack of financial resources we are finding it difficult to recruit and retain minimum levels of essential staff. For an organization with over forty members an executive officer, co-coordinator and admin staff are essential requisites. In order to be able to find the right caliber of staff, with the necessary skills and expertise we need to have longer term funding policies in order to provide sustainability and attract applicants to these positions. This lack of funding and security make it impossible to attract and retain the right caliber of persons for what are challenging roles. It very easy for some to criticize when recruitment of staff does not happen but, by the same token, they also find it very difficult to praise the volunteers who put time and effort into maintaining basic services. We are trying to do a vital and complex job with one hand tied behind our backs. 2. EALING REFUGEE FORUM AS AN ORGANISATION Members of Ealing Refugee Forum consist of: Action Group for Ethiopians in Baling Centre for Armenian Information & Advice Community Training Great Lakes Development Network Heritage Ceramics Hillingdon Chinese Community Organisation Horn of Africa Advice Centre Iranian Association Iraqi Community Assoc. Kurdish Association West London The Lady's Creative Centre Middle East Christian Minorities Advisory Centre (MECMAC) Polsom Red Sea Health & Community Care Assoc. Refugee Aid & Development Russian Refugees Aid Society Society of Afghan Residents in the UK Somali Self Help & Welfare Association Somali Teachers Assoc. Somali Family Learning & Regeneration Programme Swahili Support Network Kenyan Society of London Tamil Refugee Action Group Nirari Arts Znaniye" The Russian School Associate Members of Ealing Refugee Forum Advice UK Inquilab Housing Association OMID Housing Association Refugee Housing Association Somali Refugee Messenger Project Somali Youth Project Somali Youth Union of the UK St. Anselm's Catholic Church West London YMCA Ealing Racial Equality Council Dekh Bhal Women & Girls Support Group London Transport Training Ltd Ray of Good Hope Friends of Massai People Partners Ealing Council The Children's Fund Metropolitan Police Ealing Primary Care trust Ealing Community Network Renewal SRB 6 Partnership 2.4 Management Committee
Some of the ERF Management Committee
3. Community Groups working with in partnership ERF participates and plays a key role at the RENEWAL Advisory Board Ealing Community Netwrok/Members only Ealing Children's Fund ERF also gets actively engaged in executive and other forum meetings: Ealing Racial Equality Council Partnerships and Diversity Ealing PCT Ealing Connecting Communities Southall Community Alliance BMER Forum West London Alliance Ealing Community Cohesion Pathfinder Ealing Community Resource Centre Ealing PCT Diversity Steering Group Ealing IEG Community Programme London Forum on Refugees and Asylum Seekers Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership {REAP} Neighbourhood Renewal Forum EPCT Patient and Public Involvement Forum EPCT Old peoples Forum ACTIVITIES Refugee Week Event in June 2004 We have the pleasure to announce that ERF has had a good year despite the obstacles. Refugee Week event is a good example of community cohesion and networking in an environment of partnership. All activities were organised and the communities' performances were really very enjoyable. Variety of food was well liked by everyone. That event was a great success and ultimately demonstrated the strength of the refugee communities in Haling and the invaluable contribution they could make to the main stream society and in particular to the life of the in the borough. The participation of these communities has demonstrated and proved that every community can play a key role in advancing the aims and objectives of the ERF. Working together in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect for each other's culture I am sure would benefit all. Over 400 people attended the event and at least 12 different refugee communities participated. His Worshipful Deputy Mayor was present together with two local MP's Clive Solely and Steve Pound. This was one of the most important events of the year where refugee organisations worked together, sharing their experiences and cultures for the common good.
Eating Refugee Week 2004
The Tamil Refugee Action Group Baling Refugee Week 2004
Dekh Bhal Women & Girls Support Group
'Znaiye' The Russian School
Hillingdon Chinese Community Organization Baling Refugee Week 2004
London Taekwondo Academy
Society ofAfgan Residents in the UK
Centre forArmenian Information and Advice Registration as a Charity Another achievement by ERF was its registration as a charity. This represents a real step forward to securing funds and also to supporting refugee groups to achieve their sustainability. Business Plan for the next 3 years One of the main tasks of ERF was to draw up a business plan for a period of three years. We have decided to implement this objective through consultation. We organised an away day and members of the management committee unanimously supported this project. A business plan was put in place and a brochure was published outlining ERF's business plan for the next 3 years. Membership to ERF Our commitment to increase the membership has not failed because a number of new members have been incorporated into ERF. These were approved by the management committee on the basis of meeting the membership criteria. We have to make our position clear that our aim is not to increase the membership for the sake of quantifying the number but our intention has always been the standard and the quality of service these groups perform. Refugee groups must be held accountable to their members in terms of "value for money" achievement. Funding authorities must also make sure that funding money is genuinely spent for that specific service and is strictly monitored to ensure quality service is provided. Apparently ERF would like to see the profile and aspiration of the refugee communities to continue to enable them improves their services to maintain sustainability. Networking ERF understands that there are lots of new organisations that aim to represent small section of their community. What we need to see an increase in the membership of those who have the infrastructure and genuine desire to work for the benefit of their community and the communities of Baling as a whole. This does not mean that an individual group looking after a small section of its community can claim to be representative of the community as a whole. We also recognise the fact that sometimes money is wasted when certain groups are funded for a short-term objective. One has to be realistic to look at a wider picture of what the refugees maybe able to offer to the entire community. I am privileged to have been working with so many dedicated colleagues who represent their organisations that make up ERF in a professional manner to ensure stability and good spirit. Through participating in networking and our transparent contribution in the partnership work we have been able to attract a wide range of interests from across all sectors we have managed to gain the recognition of our partners and our principle belief in real equality and fairness has inspired a great number of individuals.
TMML RKUMlRCTON BRI Dr S Kathirgamu Chair of the Tamil Refugee Action Group BME Groups We hope that in the coming year we will be able to secure adequate premises so we can improve the existing service to our members to build a good future as well as expanding our role in West London. ERF is an independent entity and intends solely to represent the views of its members and to develop its partnership to the strategic level with the local authority and the voluntary sector and in particular with the BME groups in the West London area. Children's Fund in Baling ERF is very grateful for the support it has received from the Children Fund. Having worked so hard to secure the sum of £17000 ERF was successful to ensure that deprived children from the refugee communities should have the opportunity to benefit. The money was equally distributed amongst 7 groups ranging £1000 to £3000 for each project in the summer of 2003. However, the beneficiaries were: Somali Teachers Association The Heritage Ceramics The Ladies Creative Centre Great Lakes Development Hillington Chinese Community Nirari Arts Znaniye Russian School A big thank for the Baling Council to have offered our children this golden opportunity. MODA TRAINING ERF organized a training day for its members to attend Organisational and Community Development The basic task of this training was to understand the concept of community and the management structure, policies and procedures, the difference between management and the leadership; liabilities and responsibilities of the trustees. Income & Expenditure Statement for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 Income 2003/04
Expenditure 2003/04
Ealing Refugee Forum Income & Expenditure Statement for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost:
6. APPENDICES Newsletter ERF has published 2 newsletters within the last 8 months and intends to publish the next issue by the end of this month of November 2004. ERF publishes articles about the refugee communities and their activities. It also announces the meetings and important events. The coverage for the next issue will incorporate articles on the latest legislation that will have an impact on refugees and the asylum seekers. Information on funding and training are also made available to the refugee groups. |
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