Directory of Partners - Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum

NEW COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE
DIRECTORY OF PARTNERS
(18)
“To improve the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and people from
new & emerging communities in Nottingham”
The New Communities Alliance deliver activities and services that will help people from
refugee, asylum seekers and new & emerging communities to get the right support &
advice, provide appropriate skills and confidence building activities, and enable them to
become active citizens. We also support the development of strong and vibrant community
groups and organisations so that they are more able to represent and provide appropriate
activities for their members, as well as ensuring that all communities have access to the
kind of physical and virtual space that they need and can enjoy.
African Institute for Social Development
2
BEGIN
2
Belong
3
Cameroon Support Group
3
East African Education Centre
3
Emmanuel House
4
Eritrean Community Nottingham
4
Gambian Welfare Association
4
Inspiring Greatness
5
Nigerian Community Group
5
Nottingham Afghan Association
6
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum
6
Nottingham Beyond Borders
7
Nottingham Sport Group
7
Nottingham Zimbabwean Community Network
8
Somali Unity and Cultural Centre
8
The Rainbow Project
8
The Signpost to Polish Success
9
New Communities Alliance: Partnership Coordinator
Stuart Brown * 07891 701133 * stuartb10@ntlworld.com
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners 2 African Institute for Social Development (AISD)
AISD was formed in 2010 and is a volunteer, African-led community organisation that enables Africans to
access health services, information, support and skills opportunities. AISD builds solid partnerships and
active collaborations with local, regional and national health and skills agencies that help Africans and
other ethnic minorities to live better and to fully participate in the UK society.
We work in collaboration with the local authorities, NHS and regional partners to inform, educate and
distribute free health information and condoms packs in the community in the effort to reduce the rate of
ill health, HIV and sexual health infections.
African Institute carry out research and regular surveys in partnership with academic institutions to
support its partnership and collaboration work.
We are currently hosting the post of part-time African Advice Worker who provides information, advice
and support to all Africans living in the city including those who did not enter the country as asylum
seekers.
Contact details:
Contact:
Amdani Juma, Partnership & Community Director / African Advice Worker
Address:
New Brook House, 385 Alfreton Road, Nottingham NG7 5LR
Call or Text:
07572 604343
Email:
info@africaninstitute.org.uk
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/institut.africain
Web:
www.africaninstitute.org.uk
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm (call for appointments as we also do outreach activities)
BEGIN (Basic Educational Guidance in Nottinghamshire)
BEGIN manages a central ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Literacy and Numeracy
advice & placement service in Nottingham for about 3,500 adults each year. We work with the colleges
and other learning providers to find people the ‘best-match’ courses – by time, venue, level, exam, etc.
We also signpost people to other services for further help if they need it, including:
• Careers / Jobsearch
• NARIC UK qualification conversion
• Work Clubs
• Business Start-up
• Volunteering
• Fee-paying options for people who are not eligible for government-sponsored courses
• Childcare options
• Informal language / conversation practice groups
• Benefits
• Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KOLL) requirements for ILR & Citizenship
• Useful websites for living, learning & working in the UK
• Legal / Immigration Advice
• Mainstream courses & other relevant services/resources, eg, Interpreter training, etc
BEGIN works with other organisations to:
• Find out about relevant learning or support for people who need ESOL, Literacy or Numeracy
• Raise awareness of ESOL, Literacy or Numeracy issues, eg, course levels and ‘gaps’, KOLL
requirements, funding, etc
• Publicise courses and other opportunities– through leaflets, e-bulletins, outreach, etc
• Start new community learning groups
• Disseminate data and policy to help with planning of services.
Contact details:
Contact:
Address:
Tel:
Fiona Vale, Service Manager
BEGIN, NCN Bath Street Centre, Bath Street, Nottingham. NG1 1DA
0115 978 0942
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners Fax:
Email:
Web:
Opening hours:
3 0115 979 1307
enquiries@begin.org.uk
www.begin.org.uk
8.30am-5.00pm (plus answer machine)
Belong
Belong is a Refugee Community Organisation committed to promoting and developing the social and
economic integration of predominately African migrants into the UK society. Belong provides a
harmonious community environment whereby all can learn and share experiences in a positive light and
move forward with confidence while helping to bring local people of all cultures together.
Belong caters for refugees, asylum seekers and all other migrants of African backgrounds. It offers
Information, Advice and Guidance on issues such as housing, welfare rights, education, employment and
health. We also provide practical support with accessing services, securing a job/job search, writing CVs,
form filling and accessing training.
Working closely with other service providers, Belong provides a comprehensive, inclusive youth activities
programme. This programme is designed to support young people increase their aspirations, promote
integration and provide access to mainstream activities along with developing their potential and ability to
make positive relationship with their peers and seniors. Project work involves one-to-one support,
intergenerational activities, school holiday events and use of an IT facility.
Belong provides a range of social activities for socially isolated refugees and asylum seekers in
Nottingham. Most importantly, it offers a good opportunity to meet new friends in a safe and warm
environment.
Contact details:
Contact:
Jean-Didier Mualaba, Manager
Address:
32 Gregory Blvd, Nottingham NG7 6BG
Tel:
0115 979 0015
Fax:
0115 978 6556
Email:
enquiries@belongnottingham.co.uk
Web:
www.belongnottingham.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 5pm
Cameroon Support Group (CSG)
CSG exists to provide and promote opportunities for Cameroonians to initiate, develop and / or participate
in local community projects, social & and voluntary activities in a non-political, anti-sectarian and proequal opportunities. As a bilingual Country CSG aims to break down the barriers that exist between
French and English speaking Cameroonians and bring them together as one family.
Contact details:
Contact:
Laurent Tchouleng, Chair
Address:
New Brook House, 385 Alfreton Road, Nottingham NG7 5LR
Tel:
07453 474464 or 0115 924 1648
Email:
s.cameroon@yahoo.co.uk
East African Education Centre (EAEC)
In 2004 we helped the Somali community form the ‘Somali Community Nottingham’ and continued to
support them informally up until 2008 when we felt the need to establish the EAEC to assist the wider
East African communities. In February 2011 the organization was registered as a charity.
Since its inception EAEC has provided much needed services to the East African communities residing in
Nottingham. This includes advice & guidance on the various needs of individuals and families i.e.
housing, health, education, training and employment. We also run Youth Development Programmes
helping youngsters with sports and other recreational activities, as well as providing them with additional
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners 4 education and after-school coaching support. We encourage the community to improve the quality of their
lives by providing activities related to health care, i.e. healthy eating workshops and providing facilities for
exercise/swimming, etc. We work with the police to reduce hate crime; strengthen community cohesion
and help reduce crime in the area. We also provide developmental activities for women that include
ESOL & Sewing/Knitting classes when funds are available. From time to time we organize social and
religious events to enhance integration and community bonding.
Contact details:
Contact:
Mohammad Abdulrahman, Chairman
Address:
c/o Hyson Green Youth Centre, Terrace Street, Hyson Green, NG7 6ER
Tel:
0115 978 9950 or 07814 751245
Email:
eaecentre@hotmail.com
Opening hours: as and when needed
Emmanuel House (Support Centre Drop-In / Outreach)
Winter Shelter Mission Statement: Founded in faith in 1976 Emmanuel House exists to support
homeless, vulnerable or isolated adults in and around Nottingham. We provide diverse and accessible
services that meet basic needs and empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives.
We are an independent charity working with 90 Service Users per Drop-In session. 166 individuals of 18
different nationalities spent at least one night in the Winter Shelter during November ’13 to March ’14.
Alongside the basic services e.g. food, clothing, laundry we provide Pathways of Support for individuals
via the arrangement of specific services e.g. Polish-speaking workers, a Mental Health Outreach Team,
and resettlement for Prison-leavers. Over 60 volunteers from all sections of the community support the
work alongside 18 paid members of staff.
Contact details:
Contact:
Address:
Tel:
Email:
Web:
Opening hours:
Ruth Shelton, CEO
53-61 Goose Gate, City Centre, Nottingham NG1 1FF
0115 950 7140
admin@emmanuelhouse.org.uk
www.emmanuelhouse.org.uk
9.15am-1.30 Mon- Fri; 7pm-10pm Sat and Sun.
Eritrean Community Nottingham
The organisation was reformed in 2011 to support the Eritrean Community in Nottingham. We run
supplementary classes for children, providing support in English language and Maths as well as ensuring
that they do not lose touch with their own language and culture. We are also currently running volunteerled sessions for adults in IT, job search training and basic Maths.
In May 2013 we started a project called ‘Youth Mentoring’ aimed at supporting our youth members to
develop their confidence and social engagement skills, as well as giving them a platform to share their
experiences with other Eritreans. The main focus of which is a Youth Football Group, which meets twice
a week - training on a Wednesday and playing a match on a Saturday.
Contact details:
Contact:
Mr Ameer Musad (Chair) / Mr Semere Netsereab (Secretary)
Address:
c/o The Sycamore Centre, 31 Hungerhill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4NB
Tel:
Chair: 07415 516817 / Secretary: 07432 678178
Email:
Chair: musadameer@hotmail.com / Secretary: semere.ntb@gmail.com
Gambian Welfare Association
We introduce ourselves as a group of progressive and genuine thinkers, united by a colourful cultural
diversity and preferably choose to be called ‘The Gambian Welfare Community’, operating under the
auspices of Senegambia. This organisation comprises members of all categories of society. It also has a
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners 5 fair representation of people with strong professional and intellectual backgrounds from the Senegambia
Region.
We follow the ethos of promoting diversity and unity to successfully nurture a culture of positivity
throughout the community by developing various initiatives:Firstly, we have created a plan of action, which focuses on our mission, objectives and vision. Through
our determination, we have forged local strategic partnerships with other communities and other
members of other nationalities/ communities in Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas. We have a
strong commitment to reach out to the community and will continue to develop other programmes of
activities. It is important to emphasise that voluntary projects are central to our action plan and we
cooperate with other organisations and participate in food distribution to the needy members of the
community and helping new families to settle and integrate well in their communities.
Among many other considerations, our focus is to bring communities together to overcome challenges
and differences amongst themselves. From our practical observations, the culture of community is losing
strength and is decreasing. We feel this has contributed to individuals with undesirable interests and
intentions using this to commit crimes within their local community and perhaps with impunity.
Contact details:
Contact:
Ebrima Jawo, Secretary General
Address:
c/o 19 Mafeking Street, Nottingham NG2 4AW
Tel:
07877 875393/0115 958 5140
Email:
senegambianwelfare@gmail.com
We can be contacted at anytime.
Inspiring Greatness
We are a social enterprise and we aim to bring out the best in people, both in professional and personal
settings through our three core areas of work, which are financial literacy, entrepreneurship and personal
development.
All activities can be arranged for individuals and groups of all ages via: Training Programmes, Coaching,
Mentoring,
Seminars,
Conferences,
Networking, Events,
Master Classes.
In this current year 14/15 we will be delivering a series of workshops on social enterprise and income
generation to African Community Organisations and other smaller new & emerging community
organisations.
Contact details:
Contact:
Leslie Ayoola, Managing Director
Address:
Sherwood Enterprise Centre, 486 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 1LA
Tel:
07973 414197
Email:
info@inspiringgreatness.org.uk
Facebook:
Inspiring Greatness (UK)
Web:
www.inspiringgreatness.org.uk
Nigerian Community Group (NCG)
The Nigerian Community Group was formed in 2006 and is a voluntary sector organisation run for the
benefit of new migrant communities from Nigeria and all the African Continent settling in Nottingham. We
provide the following services/activities:
• Promote education and training for our community members to increase chances of employability.
• Assistance to find employment.
• Provide support, advice and guidance to Nigerians. For example, assisting in completion of forms,
Welfare benefit, Debt and generally helping them to settle in a new environment.
• General help and information on accessing services and activities.
• Provide translation and interpretation.
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners 6 We provide one-to-one guidance, support and advice for these areas including free access to the ICT
resource, which is internet-enabled. This supports job search for example and enables our users to
register with mainstream service providers through their web portals. Language and ICT support is
provided.
We have set up a social enterprise restaurant and meeting place called African House, which provides a
safe and welcoming environment (without language and cultural barriers) for newly arrived migrants from
Nigeria and Africa settling in Nottingham. It is set in the heart of three deprived wards: St. Ann’s, Sneinton
and The Meadows - the neighbourhoods in which many of our target groups resides.
Contact details:
Contact:
Michael Nkanka, Chair
Address:
2 Wilford Street (Irish Centre), Nottingham, NG2 1AA
Tel:
0115 950 5365 / 07852 139 845
Email:
afrikancentre@gmail.com
Web:
Under construction
Opening hours: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)
Closed on Tuesdays
Nottingham Afghan Association
Nottingham Afghan Association was formed to improve the quality of life of the Afghan community,
particularly refugees & asylum seekers, living in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. This includes
providing:
• Immigration support for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers;
• Educational, welfare & employment advice and training;
• Educational, sports, social and cultural activities for Afghan young people;
• Regular social & cultural activities for the Afghan community as a whole;
• Support for the empowerment of Afghan women within the community.
Contact details:
Contact:
Yasar Itif, Committee Member
Address:
c/o Kabul, 77 Radford Road, Hyson Green NG7 5DR
Tel:
07447 939134
Email:
yasar_iltaf@hotmail.co.uk
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum (NNRF) [Consortium Lead]
NNRF was formed in 2000 by local people in response to the Home Office’s decision to disperse
thousands of asylum seekers to Nottingham. We are governed by a 14-person Management Committee,
of which currently 6 are or have been asylum seekers and refugees. We work with and for refugees and
asylum seekers, offering practical advice, information, support and friendship at all stages of the asylum
process – from helping new arrivals through to post-decision assistance which includes resettlement
support for those who are granted Leave to Remain, and advice and practical help to those who have
been refused and are often destitute.
We provide a wide range of advice and support services covering housing, debt management,
immigration, employment, education, benefits and health. We also run an Anti-Destitution Support
Service, a Children and Families Project, a Youth Project, and provide practical support to Women’s
Culture Exchange (a refugee women’s group). We regularly organise social and cultural activities and run
a variety of training courses e.g. IT, English language, healthy eating, First Aid, Food Hygiene, as well as
providing volunteer training and work experience.
Last year there were over 8,000 visits to our centre for advice and support at our volunteer-run, drop-in
sessions and from specialist staff advisers. Recent users have come from 53 countries and we provide
interpreting in 25 languages. A small staff group is supported by over 120 volunteers from both host and
refugee communities.
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners Contact details:
Contact:
Address:
Tel:
Email:
Web:
Facebook:
Opening hours:
7 Fiona Cameron, Manager
The Sycamore Centre, 31 Hungerhill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4NB
0115 960 1230
info@nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk
www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk
www.facebook.com/nottsrefugeeforum
Mondays – Thursdays (10 – 12) for meetings / internet access
Monday – Thursdays: Drop-in advice sessions (1 – 4pm)
Nottingham Beyond Borders (NBB)
NBB is a voluntary organisation formed in 2009 to coordinate and organise an annual Refugee Week
Festival in Nottingham. NBB aims to celebrate and showcase the positive contributions that refugees and
asylum seekers make to the economic and cultural life of the city, as well as challenge the prevalent
myths and stereotypes that misrepresent refugees and asylum seekers.
The Festival takes place in June every year and comprises a range of activities and events e.g. a family
friendly Launch event at Nottingham Contemporary, film screenings, music nights, talks, seminars and art
exhibitions. We also provide volunteer training for refugees and asylum seekers who support the events
throughout the week.
Our Management Committee comprises individuals working for a variety of voluntary and statutory
agencies providing services for refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham: NNRF, Nottingham
Libraries, Refugee Futures, British Red Cross, Rainbow Project, Culturebox, City Arts, Nottingham
Contemporary, New Art Exchange, Long Journey Home, AISD and Women’s Culture Exchange.
Contact details:
Contact:
Roger Bromley, Chair
Address:
c/o NNRF, The Sycamore Centre, 31 Hungerhill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4NB
Email:
rogbrom@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/notts.borders
Nottingham Sport Group (NSG)
NSG is a gathering of people, especially from new and emerging communities living in Nottingham, with a
passion for sports and physical activity. There is great value in people working together to organise
events that benefit the whole community.
We organised our first Football Tournament in 2013 on the Forest Recreation Ground, which was very
successful and attracted 250 footballers together with their families and match officials. The goal of the
tournament was to bring together different communities and unite them through sports, physical
recreation, competitiveness and networking in an attempt to increase social cohesion. Our motto is
‘communities united through sports and physical recreation’.
Our equally successful 2014 Sports Festival included a range of other sports: Rounders and boxing as
well as a 7-a-side football competition for both adults and young people.
Volunteerism is a core value of our group so if you are interested in knowing more about NSG or helping
us then contact us for more information about how you can be involved. For more information about the
group activities and future event, please visit our website below:
Contact details:
Contact:
Abdoulie Jah, Secretary / Coordinator
Address:
c/o Hyson Green Youth Centre, Terrace Street, Hyson Green, NG7 6ER
Tel:
0115 910 9955 / 07946 303384
Email:
nottinghamsportsgroup@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/NottinghamSports
Web:
www.nottinghamsportsgroup.co.uk
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners 8 Nottingham Zimbabwean Community Network (NZCN)
NZCN was formed in 2008 to provide advisory and support services for Nottingham's Zimbabwean
community and in particular Zimbabwean refugees and asylum seekers living in the Nottingham area. It is
also committed to organising community events and activity-based projects of a social, cultural, sporting
and educational nature. The organisation addresses a broad range of issues, which constitutes a
potentially significant and detrimental impact upon the psychological, physical and emotional well-being
of isolated families and individuals if they are left unchallenged. Many of these services are specifically
directed at empowering women, children and young people within Nottingham's Zimbabwean community.
Examples of the types of advice and support services that NZCN provides are domestic violence and
bereavement counselling, funeral arrangements, immigration and asylum, youth mentoring, and career
guidance through signposting employment, volunteering and educational opportunities.
Contact details:
Contact:
Regis Manyanya, Chair
Address:
c/o New Basford Community Centre, Zulu Road, NG7 7DS
Tel:
Regis – 07878 449544 / Allan – 07950 215842
Email:
rmanyana@yahoo.co.uk
Somali Unity and Cultural Centre (SUCC)
SUCC was formed in 2010 to offer members of the Somali Community an opportunity to be involved in
positive action and to help provide education, social welfare and recreation activities. In the summer of
this year we finished refurbishing our community centre and have
already started to provide advice and services for our community.
Contact details:
Contact:
Kamaludin Musse, Chair
Address:
79A Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, Nottingham NG7 5AW
Tel:
07913 597231
Email:
somaliunity_culturalcentre@hotmail.com
Opening hours: 9.00am – 12.30pm (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)
The Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project, in partnership with the Diocese of Nottingham and Southwell, works to provide and
promote:
a) Advocacy and support for people seeking sanctuary in the UK;
b) Racial equality & cultural diversity;
c) Support for minority ethnic Anglicans, including training for leadership.
We offer:
• Practical, emotional, social and spiritual support for those affected by any of the above issues;
• Campaigning, organising prayer and information days/events;
• Giving talks to raise awareness of issues;
• We support and encourage families and individuals to regain and maintain their humanity, dignity
and well-being whilst applying for asylum;
• We signpost people to appropriate legal help, provide advice and to enable their basic needs of
safety, shelter, food, clothing and social interaction to be met;
• We assist with self-development and confidence building;
• Arrange to accompany people to tribunal hearings if they need someone to go with them.
In addition we organise events to help integrate people e.g. Christmas and New Year lunches, outings,
prayer days and community events, thus encouraging people to become involved in local community
groups and life. Our work is underpinned by an equality and diversity approach for all.
Contact details:
Contact:
Sara Palacios Arapiles: Asylum Support Worker (Tuesdays & Thursdays only)
Dianne Skerritt: Project Coordinator / Sharon Bravo: Administrator
New Communities Alliance: Directory of Partners Address:
Tel:
Email:
Facebook:
Opening hours:
9 The Vine Community Centre, Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham, NG7 5GZ
Sara: 07542 390536 / Office: 0115 970 1855 / Dianne Skerritt: 07917 674680
rainbowproj@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/groups/185130121590478/
Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 4pm
The Signpost to Polish Success (SPS)
SPS was established in 2005 to support new arrivals from Eastern Europe (mainly Polish migrants) after
the EU enlargement in 2004. In November 2008 it became a charity.
SPS’ services work towards the integration of Eastern Europeans in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and
the East Midlands. SPS is here to support migrants in the process of their settling in, easing their
integration, representing their interests, speaking on their behalf and also enabling other local
organisations and institutions to access this hard-to-reach community.
SPS service provision consists of:
• English language courses on Monday evenings;
• A Polish/English Language Cafe every Tuesday evening;
• 1-2-1 information/signposting drop-in sessions 4 days per week:
- Completing and understanding official forms and documents;
- Registering with schools and GPs;
- Support in cases of discrimination or hate crime;
- Translating letters from schools;
- Helping with utility bills, council tax, etc;
Last year we delivered approx. 1,850 advice sessions.
We also:
• Publish a free monthly Polish newspaper “East Midlands po Polsku” (The East Midlands in Polish)
which has a readership of over 15,000; our website receives 50,000 hits a year; our facebook page
is followed by more than 2,000 people;
• Recruit volunteers and offer volunteering opportunities;
• Organise meetings, social gatherings and events e.g. workshops, presentations, developing a sense
of community and working towards community cohesion.
Other activities have included:
• August 2009 - ‘FestiWal 2009’, a Community Music Festival with a Polish Flavour. 3,000+ attended.
• 2011 - ‘The Polish Art Show’ and a wider ‘Festival of Polish Culture’, which were first exhibitions in
Nottingham to reflect the complex cultural presence of Polish migrants who arrived in the UK post
World War II.
• 2013-14 - ‘Polish Heritage in the East Midlands’ Project which has been gathering the memories of
Polish people who have settled in the UK. In April/May 2014 we organised ‘Our History – Our Story’
exhibition in the Central Library which was attended by approx. 1,500 people.
This year we have a part-time Eastern European Outreach Worker who will be undertaking a research
project into the needs of other Eastern European communities in Nottingham.
Contact details:
Contact:
Beata Polanowska, Manager
Address:
SPS, Tennyson Hall, Unit B, Forest Road West, Nottingham NG7 4EP
Tel:
0115 970 0442 / 0115 970 0446 / 0115 978 1396
Email:
info.sps@empp.co.uk
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/polishsuccesscentre
Web:
www.empp.co.uk
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday