Ealing Refugee Forum

C/O 173 South Ealing Road Ealing London W5 4QP

Tel : 020 8 569 7328 Fax: 020 8 569 8049

Email erfadmin@btconnect.com www.ealingrefugeeforum.org.uk

EALING REFUGEE FORUM

NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2006

Ealing Refugee Forum

C/O 173 South Ealing Road Ealing London W5 4QP

Tel : 020 8 569 7328 Fax: 020 8 569 8049

Email erfadmin@btconnect.com www.ealingrefugeeforum.org.uk

Welcome to the ERF latest newsletter edition 2006.

In this issue we have Funding news, Forthcoming events, ERF Open Meeting, Members news and Refugee Week Event.

We are committed to raise awareness on refugee issues. We provide a network for the dissemination of information, advice and sharing skills and knowledge with refugee community organisations.

We are pleased to announce that our full membership has grown to 24 and our associated members are 18.

Without the continuous support of the Local Authority (Ealing Council), RENEWAL and other funding institutions Ealing Refugee Forum would not have been to achieve its aims and objectives.

A word of thanks to the leadership of the Ealing Council & RENEWAL for their continuous support and dedication to promote the interests and well-being of the refugee communities in the Borough of Ealing.

q EDITORIAL

q EALING REFUGEE FORUM

- MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

- FULL MEMBERS

- ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

q EALING REFUGEE FORUMS AGM 2005

q REFUGEE WEEK 2005 SUMMARY & PICTURES

q OPEN MEETING 30^thMARCH 2006

q CAIA SUCCESSFUL AGM

q CAIA CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 2005

q MECMAC ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING AND CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY

q LATEST NEWS FROM THE HOME OFFICE

q MEMBERS NEWS

q COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

q FUNDING NEWS

EALING REFUGEE FORUM

EDITORIAL

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

EALING REFUGEE FORUM

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIAN MINORITIES ADVISORY CENTRE

173 South Ealing Road, London W5 4QP

Representative: Mr. Edmond Michaels (Chairman)

HILLINGDON CHINESE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

116 Dulverton Road, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 9AG

Representative: Mrs. Cindy Tsang (Treasurer)

THE LADY'S CREATIVE CENTRE

12 Haven Green, Ealing, London W5 2UU

Representative: Mrs. Nousha Pakpour Samari (Secretary)

THE RUSSIAN CIRCLE

15B Avenue Road, Southall UB1 3BL

Representative: Mrs. Aina Shareefy

KURDISH ASSOCIATION (Joined 2001)

Palingswick House, 241 King Street, Hammersmith , London W6 9LP

Representative: Adnan Shaswar

SOCIETY OF AFGHAN RESIDENTS IN THE U.K. (member 1997)

West Acton Community Centre, Churchill Gardens, London W3 0JN

Representative: Mr Syed Karwani

SWAHILI SUPPORT NETWORK (Joined 2002)

35 Evesham Court, Tewkesbury Road, London W13 0UH

Representative: Ken Rugera

CENTRE FOR ARMENIAN INFORMATION & ADVICE (member 1997)

105a Mill Hill Road, Acton, London W3 8JF

Representative: Misak Ohanian (Vice Chair)

ANGOLAN CIVIC COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE (ACCA) & PAN PORTUGUESE SPEAKING COMMUNITIES SUPPORT & ADVISORY SERVICES (Joined June 2005)

27 Northolt Road, Harrow Middlesex HA2 0LH

Representative Carmen Neto

EALING REFUGEE FORUMS FULL AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

FULL MEMBERS

ACTION GROUP FOR ETHIOPIANS IN EALING (Joined in 1998)

Priory Community Centre, Acton Lane, London W3

Representative: Beke

GREAT LAKES DEVELOPMENT NETWORK (Joined 2002)

C/o Ealing CVS, 24 Uxbridge Road, London W5 2BP

Representative: Jeremiah Onyach

HERITAGE CERAMICS (Joined 2001)

Unit B18, Charles House, Bridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4DB

Representative: Tony Ogogo

IRANIAN ASSOCIATION (Joined in 1999)

Palingswick House, 241 King Street, Hammersmith , London W6 9LP

Representative: Reza Khiaban

IRAQI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (Joined 2001)

Palingswick House, 241 King Street, Hammersmith , London W6 9LP

Representative: Jabbar Hasan

KENYAN SOCIETY OF LONDON (Joined 2001)

Suite 209, Signal House, 16 Lyon Road, Harrow HA1 2AG

Representative: Dickson Aduonga

NIRARI ARTS (Joined 2003)

P. O Box 38603, London W13 0XB

Representative: Sargon Isaac - Chairman

Await further information April 2005

POLSOM (Joined 1998)

22 Boileau Road, Ealing, London W5

Representative: Elizabeth Cohen

Await further information April 2005

RED SEA HEALTH & COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION (Joined 1997)

20 Merrick Road, Southall, Middx. UB2 4UA

Representative: Osman Ahmed

REFUGEE AID & DEVELOPMENT LIMITED (Joined in 1999)

Suite 8 Manor House, The Green, Southall, Middx. UB2 4BJ

Representative: Fawzia

RUSSIAN REFUGEES AID SOCIETY (Joined in 1997)

Room 903, Britannia House, 11 Glenthorne Road, Hammersmith, London W6 0LH

Representative: Barbara Irvine

Await further information April 2005

SOMALI FAMILY LEARNING & REGENERATION PROGRAMME

(Joined 2001)

Room H9 Charles House, Bridge Road, Southall, Middx UB2 4AB-

Representative: Mr. Osman Ali

SOMALI SELF-HELP AND WELFARE ASSOCIATION (Joined in 1997)

32 Acklington Drive, Colindale, London NW9 5WL

Representative: Samsam Rateh

SOMALI TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (Joined 2002)

20 Merrick Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4AU

Representative: Ms. Fouzia Jama

TAMIL REFUGEE ACTION GROUP (Joined 2003)

2^nd Floor, 449/451 Willesden High Road

London NW10 2JJ

Representative: Dr. Shanmugalin Kathirgamu

UGANDA COMMUNITY RELIEF ASSOCIATION (Joined April 2003)

Selby Centre, Selby Road, Tottenham London N17 8JW

Representative Sarah Nansukusa

VGB ASSOCIATION (Joined April 2005)

1 Sawbrill Close, Hayes Mddx UB4 9TJ

Representative Mr Namko Mulamehil

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

ADVICE UK (Joined 2001)

C/o 1^st Floor SE, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road,, London W5 2HL

INQUILAB HOUSING ASSOCIATION (Joined in 1997)

77 North Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 2JL

OMID HOUSING ASSOCIATION (Joined in 1997)

45 Queens Walk, London W5 1TL

REFUGEE HOUSING ASSOCIATION (Joined in 1998)

Baak Wol (Community Initiatives Officer)

MHT House, Crescent Lane, London SW4 9RS

ST. ANSELM’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (Joined in 1998)

The Green, Southall, Middlesex

SOMALI REFUGEE MESSENGER PROJECT (Joined 2002)

7 Stour Court, Hanway Road, Hanwell, London W7 3RN

Contact: Mr Hassan Sharmake

SOMALI YOUTH PROJECT (Joined in 1997)

Priory Community Centre, Acton Lane, London W3 8NY

SOMALI YOUTH UNION IN THE U.K. (Joined 2001)

49a Western Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 5HE

Contact: Abdulkadir Hassan

WEST LONDON YMCA (Joined 2002)

25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing, London W5 5RE

EALING RACIAL EQUALITY COUNCIL (Joined 2003)

The Old Stables Block, Longfield Avenue, Ealing W5 2UQ

DEKH BHAL WOMEN & GIRLS SUPPORT GROUP (Joined 2003)

78 Verulam Road, Greenford, Middx. UB6 9RL

Representative: Mrs. A B Khan - Chair

LONDON TRANSPORT TRAINING LTD. (Joined March 2004)

Resource centre Featherstone Terrace Southall, UB2 5AL

Representative: Mohamoud Artan

RAY OF GOOD HOPE (Joined March 2004)

16 Cedar Grove, Southall, Middx. UB1 2XD

Representative: Rev. Dickson Odongo (Chair)

FRIENDS OF MASSAI PEOPLE (Joined March 2004)

Flat 4, 190 Church Road, Northolt, UB5 5AE

Representative: Mr. Joseph Masindet

EALING CVS (Joined April 2005)

22 – 24 Uxbridge Road Ealing W5 2BP

Representative Andy Roper

EAST AFRICAN WOMEN & CHILDREN’S GROUP (Applic 02 – Accept April 05)

11 Beresford Avenue, Hanwell, London W7 3AJ

Representative: Fadumma Hassan

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICES UK (Joined April 2005)

6 Melior Street, London Bridge, London SE1 3PP

Representative Bernard Elliot

REFUGEE WEEK EVENT 2005

SUMMARY

On Saturday June 12^th Ealing Refugee Forum held a very successful Refugee Week event at Ealing Town Hall. The response was in fact beyond belief as around 500 people attended the event, which is more than ever, attended before.

Those who came were treated to a 5-hour programme of events presented by the Refugee communities of Ealing. Members of the Russian, Chinese, Tamil, Armenian, Assyrian, Arab, Kurdish, Afghan and Iranian communities performed their traditional songs, dances and music whilst the Kenyan community joined all those above mentioned in providing large quantities of food which disappeared very quickly.

A member of communities including the Somali community also provided stalls and exhibitions, which gave information on the work done by their organisations on a daily basis, which most people in Ealing would never otherwise be aware of.

In addition to the hundreds of refugees who packed the Town Hall a number of dignitaries attended the event. Deputy Mayor of Ealing then Cllr. Michael Elliot opened the event disputing with the Mayor Cllr. Ian Potts and Mr. Clive Soley the MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush at the time that spoke on Government Immigration and Asylum Policy, whilst his colleague Mr. Stephen Pound the Ealing North M.P spoke on the subject of The Contribution of Refugees to Art & Culture.

Amongst others who attended was the Chair of Ealing Primary Care Trust, Ms. Carmel Cahill from Ealing Community and Voluntary Service and Mr. Wesley Harcourt from Advice UK who is a long-standing supporter of the Forum. Our thanks go to all who attended and took part in a celebration, which was clearly enjoyed by all concerned.

This was the eighth annual Ealing Refugee Forum Refugee Week Event and it must rank as one of the best, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Management Committee & all those who helped organise it & took part. Everyone from outside the Refugee communities witnessed the event being suitably impressive and contributed to raising the profile & reputation of Refugee communities in Ealing.

Ealing Refugee Forum will grasp the opportunity to ensure that individual refugees and communities live better lives as a consequence.

REFUGEE WEEK EVENT 2005

PICTURES:

500 people attended last years ERF Refugee Dance Group performing at the RWE

Week Event at the Town Hall

Russian Circle Group dance at the The Tamils Dance Group at the RWE

Refugee week

ERF participating in Tamil Cancer Project Consultation

ERF OPEN MEETING MARCH 2006

The Management Committee is pleased to confirm that Open Meeting, took place on the 30^th March 2006 at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 at Ealing Town Hall.

We invited a number of guests and guest speakers for our Open Meeting of which 12 attended for the meeting, but we were expecting more members to attend from the replies we received.

We had selected two subjects to talk about which were ‘Charity Accounting System’ and ‘Media’s negative approach to refugees and asylum seekers’. However we have arranged for Evelyn Oldfield on a separate occasion to address a number of issues in relation to Capacity Building and raising funds. As soon as this is organised we will contact all the groups that we believe might benefit from such event.

ERF is also coordinating its efforts with Refugee Housing Association who are in the process of ‘Helping young refugees to have access to Private Housing. As soon as we obtain all the relevant information we shall endeavour to forward to all members.

The Meeting went quite well and dinner was served during the course of the evening. Everyone participated in the meeting and discussions.

ERF had yet another successful open meeting in March 2006 and guests included Cllr. Ranjit Dheer and Chief Executive (EREC) Mr. Arvind Sharma, accountant Mr. Jay Chitroda from Jay & Co. Emina Trozic from Renewal SRB, Paul Collins freelance journalist from Action Aid and other members from ERF Management Committee.

We will distribute any feedback we receive and pictures to all guests and members in the near future.

PICTURES FROM ERF OPEN MEETING 2005

The Management Committee Members present at last Open Meeting

panel at last Open Meeting

CAIA HOLDS A SUCCESSFUL AGM

A very productive and successful Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday 12^th November 2005.

The AGM began with CAIA Chairperson Mr. Vahe Paklayan thanking everyone for their attendance and support since the last AGM. Mr. Paklayan addressed members by summerising the achievements of the Board of Director’s and the challenges facing the organisation. Chief Executive Misak Ohanian who provided a brief report about CAIA’s activities and services followed him.

The next item on the agenda was to receive and approve the Financial Statements of the company for the year ending 31 March 2005 including the Auditor’s Report. CAIA’s auditor Mr. David Poynter from Dominic Hill Associated provided supplementary comments and explanations to the agenda item. Dominic Hill Associates were re-appointed unanimously by members as CAIA’s auditors for the ensuing year.

In the section dealing with other business, the Chair announced that the Board of Directors had decided to increase CAIA’s membership fee to £10 for single members and £15 for couple’s, as there had not been an increase for almost 15 years.

Then followed the election of four new Trustee/ Directors in accordance with the regulations within CAIA’s governing document. The four candidates elected were Mrs. Aghabegian, Mr. S. Gregorian, Mrs. Alexanian and Mr. A. Gregorian. They joined the five existing members of the board. The two other candidates, Mr. Agulian and Ms. Chamlian (S C James) were duly invited by the Board of Directors to join the Management Committee as non- voting co-optees for their much appreciated skills and experience.

The new Board thanked all CAIA members who took part in the AGM either in person or by proxy as well as the united effort of all CAIA members to help rejuvenate the CAIA so that it continues serving the Armenian community.

Vahe Paklayan

For and on behalf of the CAIA Board Directors

CAIA CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 2005

ERF were invited to the CAIA Christmas Party dedicated to Senior Citizens on December at the Armenian Centre in Acton, three members attended and we arrived in good time as dinner was being served. We had the pleasure to be seated with CAIA Chair, Armenian Bishop and the Worshipful Mayor.

Misak Ohanian opened the evening by welcoming us all and thanked us individually for attending the Christmas Party.

There were a few speeches by CAIA members on the meaning of Christmas and how Father Christmas came about, in Armenian as well as English, which was quite interesting.

The Worshipful Mayor gave a short speech and expressed his appreciation by thanking CAIA for an enjoyable festive evening. He also talked about Christmas and explained what it’s all about.

The Bishop also gave a speech in Armenian that was related to the event which I am sure was about the real religious meaning of Christmas more than anything else.

The second part of the event was followed by entertainment and music by Armenian group who put together good music beats that made us all dance.

It was a successful party and we had an enjoyable evening. Last but not least the Chair of ERF Mr. Edmond Michaels was called up to say a few words on the occasion. He thanked CAIA and expressed his appreciation for the kind respect and an enjoyable event amongst the senior members of Armenian community.

Oria Hinar

ERF

MECMAC ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING AND CHILDRENS

CHRISTMAS PARTY

MECMAC had a successful Annual General Body Meeting combined with Children’s Christmas Party. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend but received feedback from the Director and members.

The Meeting took place on 21^st December 2005 and around 70 people attended the event as well as parents and children to participate in the Children’s Christmas Party. The Director opened the event by welcoming everyone to and updated guests as he went through the Annual General Meeting Report.

In addition to the guests who filled the Town Hall a number of dignitaries attended the event. His Worshipful Mayor Mr. Michael Elliott and the Deputy Mayor Cllr. Michael Elliott.

The Worshipful Mayor and Deputy both gave short speeches on the event and expressed their thanks for being welcome by such a flourishing Centre.

There were short performances by MECMAC’s talented children Donia, Zaia, Kiyana, Sonia and Laeticia, together with professional entertainment, which was provided by OPC Arts of Africa and Russian School Dance.

The children were happy and enjoyed themselves as they were involved in performances and musical activities, the children also got presents for Christmas from MECMAC for appreciation of the children and parents hard work and participation in children’s fund.

Everyone enjoyed the traditional Middle Eastern cuisine that was served during the course of the evening.

As always MECMAC thank you for your continued help and support and in particular the Children’s Fund Team at London Borough of Ealing.

Oria Hinar

For and on behalf of Mr. Edmond Michaels (MECMAC)

LATEST NEWS FROM THE HOME OFFICE

ASYLUM APPLICATIONS AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE - 28FEBRUARY 2006

Asylum applications fell in 2005 to their lowest level since 1994 and the number of failed asylum seekers removed from the UK increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to statistics published by the Home Office.

Quarterly asylum figures show that in the final quarter of 2005 asylum applications were down 2% on the previous quarter and 27% on the same period in 2004. Meanwhile, removals increased 2% on the previous quarter and 20% on the same quarter the year before.

The statistics illustrate the success of the Governments reform of the asylum system and in particular

NO MORE FORCED MARRIAGES

16 MARCH 2006

The Home Office and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have launched a campaign to drive down the number of forced marriages.

Over 250 cases of forced marriages were reported last year to the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit, with some of the victims as young as 13 years old.

The campaign launched in March 2006 aims to increase awareness of the issues surrounding forced marriage and publicise the support that’s available for anyone affected by them.

Actors Meera Syal and Ameet Chana are supporting the campaign, which will involve a series of radio and press adverts, TV fillers, and poster campaigns.

What is Forced Marriage?

The campaign will highlight the difference between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage, which is one that is conducted without the agreement of both parties.

It will also make clear that forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence that can affect people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland, said:

“Forced marriage affects children, teenagers and adults from all races and religions, including Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs. And it is not solely an issue facing Asian communities; we deal with cases in the Middle East, Western Balkans and Africa. We are determined to help young people at risk and protect their right to choose whom they marry.”

MEMBERS NEWS

HILLINGDON CHINESE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

INTRODUCTION

The Hillingdon Chinese Community Organisation was established in March 2001 Prior to that, there is no other community organisations set up to help the Chinese Refugee Community.

REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKER’S PROJECT

We are to develop our current voluntary services and expand new support services for Refugees and Asylum Seeker’s. The HCCO setup a small pilot project to establish a refugee self help group helping the Chinese community in West London.

The Project consists of two major elements - to conduct a need assessment:

and to access Refugees and Asylum Seekers English language skills.

We shared the resources and facilities of the Hillingdon Chinese School on Saturday to conduct our need assessment. We identified groups and divided them into smaller groups so that we can do more detailed analysis. We invited refugee families to come every week, organising informal talks, workshop with topics such as health, education, job opportunities, training and development and encouraged them to participate in discussions, Q’s & A’s, brainstorming sessions and practical exercises.

We are very fortunate that we have the support of the Hillingdon Adult Learning to supply us with qualified ESOL teachers to provide English lessons to the groups. Participants received certificates to recognise their contributions and achievements at the end of their training. During the last 5 years we have seen great improvement in communication with our community as well as better understanding of the needs of our users and service providers.

The project helps us t identify refugees’ needs as well as providing opportunities for us to learn from each other, communicate and empower individuals to take ownership, boost their self-confidence and encourage them to achieve their full potential. In addition, the project also raised awareness on social issues and strengthened community link between groups i.e. Refugee Forums, Renewal and the Pan London Refugee Organisations.

As a result, many of our members, specially the women’s group, have come forward and is actively participating in community projects and fund-raising events.

We receive lots of support from Ealing Refugee Forum and the training and development work have given us lots of inspirations and innovations to develop further projects to help and support the Chinese refugees in West London.

Cindy Tsang

HCCO

RUSSIAN CIRCLE

The Russian Circle was formed in March of 2005 as a direct result of positive and active community involvement in the highly successful activities of the ‘Znaniye Russian School’.

The vision of the Russian Circle is to bring tomorrow’s opportunities today and to enable every client to achieve a personal best.

Primarily ‘The Russian Circle’ offers its services to young people and adults who work and live in London and the South East. This covers particularly those that come here from the Russian Federation, from the fifteen Republics, which used to be part of the former Soviet Union, and from other Eastern European countries. However membership is open to all who are interested in Russia, its people and its cultures. Membership to the Russian Circle is free.

The Russian Circle offers a wide range of services from sharing information and making friends to opportunities in education, gaining qualifications, access to the UK job market, vocational studies, and recreational activities.

Services offered include support and training for writing CV’s, learning job interviewing skills, identifying and understanding socio-economic opportunities and dealing with housing and other matters affecting people living and working in London.

In addition the Russian Circle also organizes a wide range of cultural activities and events. These include the full curriculum of the ‘Znaniye Russian School’ whose teaching of folk, traditional and modern dance spans different genres and includes Russian, Arabic and modern European dance including performances from West End / Broadway musicals through to the latest pop singles.

Other important aspects of the curriculum include subjects to GCSE and Level standards such as, the Russian Language and Culture, Mathematics, Sciences, and classical music by way of teaching to play the piano and violin.

In addition, Information Technology subjects such as computer studies, web design, media, photography, music and video production are also highly popular.

The School’s successes have included performances at both local and national events, Refugee Week celebration’s, Ealing Councils’ Mayor’s Bazaar and performance of ‘ A Russian Winter’ in central London to name but a few, and have been acclaimed with excellent reviews for choreography, dancing ability and overall entertainment.

Events usually take place at various venues and are followed by informal refreshments that include traditional food and beverages provided by the community. The yearly programmed of events runs from January to December and a full schedule can be obtained by contacting the Head office, contact addresses fro the Schools and head office can be found in the Appendices to this report.

Aina Shareefy – Russian Circle

FUNDING NEWS

Working in partnership with Harrow Refugee Forum we would like to announce the funding provided by HRF to Ealing Refugee Forum.

Funding Body

Amount

Scheme Details

Deadline

Contact Details

Greater London – Enterprise

Fast Forward Grants

Maximum Grant Value:

£10,000

Fast Forward Grants, the London ESF Global Grants Programme, provides grants to small voluntary & community organisations, or other non-governmental organisations, to run projects, which will help unemployed people, move towards employment. The grants are targeted at those who face the most difficulty in entering the labour market, particularly people with disabilities, lone parents, ex-offenders, black and ethnic minority groups & refugees. The application round for grants for 2006-07 will be launched on 3^rd April with Application Packs available from that date.

03/04/06

* launch of new round

Fast forward Grants Tobie Pettitt tobie.p@gle.co.uk

Greater London Enterprise:

28 Park Street

London, SE1 9EQ

Tel: 07403 0300

www.gle.co.uk/consulting/FFGrants

Home Office – Refugee Integration Challenge Fund

Maximum Grant Value:

£40,000

The Refugee Integration Challenge Fund supports the Home Office’s commitment to the integration of refugees within the United Kingdom and aims to promote innovative projects that address specific social needs amongst refugee communities. Projects must be for the benefit of those residing in the UK who have been recognised as refugees (under the 1951 UN Convention) or those with Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave or Exceptional Leave leading to settlement.

13/04/06

Michael Dewey

Immigration & Nationality Directorate

6^th Floor, Apollo House

36 Wellesley Road

Croydon, CR9 3RR

www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

michaej.dewey@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Home Office-

Purposeful Activities Fund

Maximum Grant Value:

£30,000

The Purposeful Activities Fund supports projects that enable asylum seekers to interact with and make a positive contribution to the local communities in which they reside. It also supports links with the host community, for instance, through sporting activities. Priority is also given to applications that build basic skills which will be useful to asylum seekers in the longer term, whether they stay in the UK or return to their country of origin.

13/04/06

As above.

Camelot Foundation- Transforming Lives

Maximum Grant Value:

£75,000

The programme is looking for organisations across the UK that: work with young people aged 11-25 especially those who are marginalized, have imaginative ideas for engaging young people in community life, share our values and commitment to change.

Priority is given to the groups of young people that are: Young parents or those at risk of becoming young parents, young exiles, newly arrived in the UK, young people with mental health problems, young disabled people. Please read the guidelines carefully before applying.

N.B These guidelines run until 28^th April 06, after this DATE please check the Foundation’s website for details of the latest theme.

28/04/06

Ruth Scott

Grants Manager

Camelot Foundation

11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place

London SW1W 0EX

Tel: 020 7 828 6085

info@camelotfoundation.org.uk

www.camelotfoundation.org.uk

City Parochial Foundation

Maximum Grant Value:

£10,000

*per year for 3 years

City parochial Foundation is coming to the end of it’s current five year grant-making priorities (for the period 2002-06). They are now considering our priorities for 2007-11 and new funding guidelines will be available from October 2006 and new grants programme will open then.

New proposals under the current 2002-06 priorities will be accepted until 30^th April 06. The main priorities are given to groups that: tackle the causes of poverty; help poor Londoners to cope with and find ways our of poverty, help poor Londoners by reducing for overcoming discrimination, isolation and violence.

03/05/06

at 5pm

City Parochial Foundation

6 Middle Street

London EC1A 7PH

Tel: 020 7 606 6145

Fax: 020 7 600 1866

Info@cityparochial.org.uk

www.cityparochial.org.uk

London

Development Agency (LDA) –

Skills and Employment Programme

Maximum Grant Value:

Discretionary

This programme is co-financed with European Social Fund, to support the delivery of the London Skills Commission, skills action plan. Applications are particularly welcomed from the voluntary and community sector. Applicants must be legally constituted entity and should be delivery agencies rather than umbrella organisations. The LDA encourages partnership working in the delivery of projects funded through this programme. The main themes include: Maximising Opportunities for Inclusion of those disadvantaged in the labour market, increasing opportunities for London’s businesses & communities close to the major capital projects, the current and future needs of all London’s young people, employer driven training adults in work & entering work, increasing management & leadership skills, promoting the value of diversity to London’s employers.

03/05/06

at 5pm

Skills and Employment Division

London Development Agency

Devon House

58-60 St Katherine’s Way

London, E1W 1JX

Tel: 020 7 680 2000

rsp@lda.gov.uk

C/O 173 South Ealing Road Ealing London W5 4QP

C/O 173 South Ealing Road Ealing London W5 4QP

CONTENTS

EALING REFUGEE FORUM

EDITORIAL

Over the years, we have helped and supported many refugee organisations in Ealing. We are pleased to announce that our membership has grown to 24 and is still rising.

EALING REFUGEE FORUM

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIAN MINORITIES ADVISORY CENTRE

THE RUSSIAN CIRCLE

EALING REFUGEE FORUMS FULL AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

SOMALI TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (Joined 2002)

TAMIL REFUGEE ACTION GROUP (Joined 2003)

2nd Floor, 449/451 Willesden High Road

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Contact: Mr Hassan Sharmake

DEKH BHAL WOMEN & GIRLS SUPPORT GROUP (Joined 2003)

FRIENDS OF MASSAI PEOPLE (Joined March 2004)

Representative Andy Roper

Representative Bernard Elliot

ERF AGM NOVEMBER 2005

Edmond Michaels Chair of ERF

with the Worshipful Mayor and

SUMMARY

A member of communities including the Somali community also provided stalls and exhibitions, which gave information on the work done by their organisations on a daily basis, which most people in Ealing would never otherwise be aware of.

REFUGEE WEEK EVENT 2005

ERF OPEN MEETING MARCH 2006

CAIA HOLDS A SUCCESSFUL AGM

CAIA CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 2005

Oria Hinar

ERF

MECMAC ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING AND CHILDRENS

LATEST NEWS FROM THE HOME OFFICE

ASYLUM APPLICATIONS AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE - 28 FEBRUARY 2006

Asylum applications fell in 2005 to their lowest level since 1994 and the number of failed asylum seekers removed from the UK increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to statistics published by the Home Office.

NO MORE FORCED MARRIAGES

16 MARCH 2006

MEMBERS NEWS

HILLINGDON CHINESE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

INTRODUCTION

REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKER’S PROJECT

HCCO

COMMUNITY NEWS

Refugee Week Event 2006

Armenian Centre Easter Party

YMCA Spring Activities

International Creative Day (Central London)

FUNDING NEWS

2^nd Floor, 449/451 Willesden High Road

ASYLUM APPLICATIONS AT LOWEST LEVEL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE - 28FEBRUARY 2006