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NEWSLETTER: Issue 33 - Summer 2018CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC COMMUNITY FORUM

16-18 Arbury CourtCambridgeCB4 2JQ01223 655 241

CecfEnquiries@cecf.co.ukWebsite: www.cecf.co.ukCharity No. 1086241Company No. 04175678

CONTENTS

Introduction 1Development News 2Community Events 3Community Focus 4-6 Community Engagement 8

Opening times for drop-ins:Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pmOther times by appointment.

Introduction

Refugee Week a national event, held from the 18th of June until the 24th of June this year saw a host of activities and events held in Cambridge. These

highlighted both the plight of many seeking sanctuary as well as the positive contribution refugees have made to our society.

One event which I attended on Tuesday the 19th of June which was particularly poignant was an evening of short films and conversation held at the Picturehouse Cinema in Cambridge and hosted by ‘SOS Children’s Villages’ UK focusing on particularly the plight of refugee children. ‘Oksijan’ a short film written and directed by Emmy award winner Edward Watts was especially harrowing. This is the story of Ahmad, a seven year old Afgan refugee, who fled from his home with brother to find safety in Europe. He became trapped in the back of a refrigerated lorry along with fourteen other refugees. As the others efforts to escape failed it became down to him to save everyone.

This event brought home the dangers, risks and traumatic experiences which these young people go through to try and reach safety. If you are interested and want to know more about the work of ‘SOS Children’s Villages’ UK please follow this link :

https://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/refugees

Refugee Week Event left to right Adrian Matthews CRRC, Marieke Widman - Policy Lead - SOS Childrens Villages UK and Eddie Stad-nik CEO CECF

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Development News

Moving on from our introduction about ‘Refugee Week’ it seems appropriate to mention this has been a very busy time for our own CECF Refugee Service. Over the previous few weeks and

months we have assisted dozens of asylum seekers and refugees in Cambridge with a variety of at times complex issues. The following are some of the issues we advised on or assisted with - destitution /homelessness/accessing accommodation/health/accessing counselling/ further education/ESOL/AST (asylum support)/liaison with Home Office/helping them access Immigration advice/ liaison with solicitors with regards to asylum cases, further representations, travel docs/Settlement in the UK etc. We have also helped with small contributions from our Refugee Hardship Fund (kindly raised through individual and Cambridge University College donations) and the issuing of Foodbank vouchers. Two CECF projects which were introduced in our last newsletter have now started. Both have actually been instrumental in providing help with Refugee Integration as well as support for the wider BME communities.

The first one ‘Talk English’ lifted off with training sessions for at least 9 volunteer ESOL teachers at Arbury Community Centre and Arbury Court during April-May. These were enthusiastically received. We also started to register learners from the 18th of June. Classes are at two community venues in the city, Hanover Court and our premises at Arbury Court, with 28 beneficiaries signing up so far. We are now engaged in an exciting new partnership project led by Papworth Trust to build better opportunities for disadvantaged people across the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership area (GCGP LEP). It is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund. The Community Connections South Project at the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum is focused on bringing economically inactive people closer to the job market, education or training. It will support Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals with their own development needs, as well as actively enhancing self-esteem and building confidence.

This project will run through until the end of September 2019 and is designed to improve employment opportunities for some of the most marginalized BME people who are furthest from the job market and who aren’t on any existing employment programmes. Individuals will benefit from Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum’s offer of one-to-one information, advice, and guidance, to improve their employability. They will also receive support to overcome their specific barriers to employment. If you’d like further information about the Community Connections (South) Project at CECF, please contact Ana Maldonado, project coordinator for Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum on 01223 655241 or email her at ana@cecf.co.uk

Training sessions for Talk English at Arbury Community Centre in preparation for the courses.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

www.cambridgelivetrust/cambridge-mela

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

“This map itself is a great symbol of the event bringing people of disparate backgrounds together, and taking part in the life of the town which has become home for many nationalities, flexible and friendly for different people from all over the world.”

organised by CamRuSS

Organised by the Cambridge Russian-speaking Society (CamRuSS), our third Summer Fair took place on 10th June in the newly built

Storey’s Field Community Centre on Eddington Avenue (winner of two RIBA East awards). The Society is proud to organise this fair and see that the event is attracting more and more people. Originally the Fair started as the Cambridge Russian Summer fair, but as it involved people who mostly speak Russian but come from different countries historically linked to Russia, or Russian-speaking, the revised name is intended to reflect the diversity of our participants and guests. Our participants come from Georgia, various places in Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and are happy to have the opportunity to present their skills and introduce more of their background to the multicultural population of Cambridge.

Linked to the wide geographical spread of our guests, we thought that the idea of having a map of Europe in the hall was extremely successful. It enabled people to interact with each other, pegging the countries they come from or have lived in. This map itself is a great symbol of the event bringing people of disparate backgrounds together, and taking part in the life of the town which has become home for many nationalities, flexible and friendly for different people from all over the world.

By holding the Fair CamRuSS wants to support those local businesses and traders who are related to our interests and values, and introduce their goods and services. We are trying to encourage local craftsmen and businesses but of course are happy to introduce the friends of our community from other parts of England to our area. The event’s aim is also to give support to the Russian-speaking population of the area, helping them gain confidence and find new friends. For that purpose we invited the Russian schools from Cambridge to introduce themselves, as well as always happy to give a chance to other related organisations to be present at the place.

Another reason to have events of this sort is to show our children who born and grow up abroad part of their background culture, help them link with their identity, learn to know their roots and respect the traditions of their countries of origin, not just not to forget them but promote them too.

CamRuSS is very keen on broadening the knowledge of Russian and Russia-related culture, supporting those local people learning Russian and helping to avoid prejudice based on nationality, and for those reasons the events as our fair are vital for the community. Thanks to The National Lottery Fund which supported the event: we could not organise this big cultural event and promote it so actively without the financial help provided.

We are happy to see that while watching Russian traditional dances, communicating with our stallholders, buying pelmeni from the Russian Kitchen in Cambridge, or talking to Cambridge Russian schools people became more knowledgeable about those around them, and when taking part in workshops on bark manuscripts or charm dolls learn about the culture and associated traditions.

The organisers of the Cambridge Summer Fair - Cambridge Russian-speaking society take this opportunity to thank all the guests and participants and welcome them to learn more about the organisation and our events.

www.camruss.comJelena Carter

Cambridge Third Summer Fair on 10th June

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival

On Sunday the 17th of June I attended the 2nd day of the Chinese Dragon

Boat Festival, invited as a guest, the exciting culmination of which was crews competing with each other in hotly contested boat contests on the river cam. This was in sharp contrast to the weather which wasn’t as sunny and hot as in previous years with a cool breeze swirling around our ankles as we waited in anticipation for the opening ceremony.

This year saw a particularly large attendance of dignitaries in attendance with both the High Sheriff, Lord- Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mayor and the local MP Daniel Zeichner among others in attendance. The Lord –Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Mrs Julie Spence OBE QPM brought a special message of good wishes from Buckingham Palace which was very encouraging to the Chinese Communities who have worked hard to organise and promote this community event. The event was also an opportunity to raise funds for good causes and local charities. The East Anglia Children’s Hospices and the Mayors Charity ‘Alzheimer’s Research UK’ among those to benefit from the day.

After the opening ceremony there was the traditional Chinese Lion and Dragon dances which were performed with great energy and enthusiasm followed by other traditional dances, poetry and song. There was an array of dazzling costumes worn by the performers. Behind them was set a marquee full of stands serving up delicious food. The afternoon then proceeded with the boat race and went into the evening with a band playing out the event for those still there after a very dynamic, exciting, colourful and busy day.

Reported by Eddie Stadnik CEO CECF

Photos courtesy of Yan Wang and Eddie Stadnik

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Cambridgeshire and PeterboroughNHS Foundation Trust

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Do you feel you are in a mental health crisis?

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Then call our First ResponseService (FRS) on 111, then press option 2

The First Response Serviceputs your mental health first.

It provides 24-hour access,seven days a week,

365 days a year, to mentalhealth care, advice, support

and treatment.

By calling 111, and selecting option 2, you will be putthrough to a member of the FRS who will speak toyou and discuss your current mental health needs.

First response poster A4 August 2016_Layout 1 10-Aug-16 4:48 PM Page 1

What is the First Response Service (FRS)The First Response Service supports people experiencing a mentalhealth crisis. The First Response Service provides 24-hour access,seven days a week, 365 days a year, to mental health care, advice, support and treatment. By calling 111, and selecting option 2, you will be put through to a member of the FRS whowill speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.

Who can use FRS?Anyone who lives in Cambridgeshire - which includes Cambridge, Peterborough,Huntingdon, Wisbech and the surrounding areas - who feels they need urgentmental health care. This includes service users, carers, family and friends. You cancontact us direct. You do not have to have used any mental health services before. You can also be referred by your GP, social care professional or a voluntary organisation.

When should I call FRS?If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health you should contact FRS. Examples might include:

Mood changes – different to how you usually are•Withdrawing – from people (close family, friends or work colleagues)•Not taking care of yourself like you usually would•Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living•Excessive worry•Feeling out of control•Feeling unable to cope•Changes in the way you think•Unusual ideas•Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t•Thinking about harming yourself or someone else.•

What will happen when I call FRS?A Telecoach - psychological wellbeing practitioner - will answer andquickly assess your needsTelecoaches are experienced in talking to people in distress and provide guidanceto help you manage the situation and your feelings. They have information on allthe health, social and voluntary services available to support you. They will referor make an appointment if it is needed. They may decide to need urgent support. In this case they will ask a First Responder from our team to visit you assoon a possible.

What will the First Responder do?First Responders are mental health nurses and social workersThey visit you wherever you are in your time of crisis, at whatever time of day,sometimes with a member of the emergency services. They provide support tohelp you manage your feelings. Some can prescribe medication. They can alsorefer you to a Sanctuary, a safe place run by mental health charity Mind in Cambridgeshire that offers people short-term practical and emotional supportbetween 6pm and 1am.

First Responders provide the best possible action for you at the time. They aim tokeep you at home with support, working with you to develop a crisis management plan. If you are extremely unwell they may recommend you are admitted to hospital.

The FRS team is supported by clinicians from specialist areas such asChildren’s and young people’s mental health services•Learning disabilities services•Older people’s services.•

What about confidentiality?Everyone who works in the FRS works to very strict rules about confidentiality, although there may be instances where it’s necessary to share information withother professionals. If you have any concerns about confidentiality, please talk toa member of staff. We will keep a record of your contact with our service andalso provide your GP with a summary of your contact with us.

InterpretersIf an interpreter is needed, please let us know and we will arrange this for you.

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FRS leaflet A5 Aug 2016_Layout 1 10-Aug-16 4:47 PM Page 3

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CECF StaffChief Executive Officer Eddie Stadnik CHESS Manager Sam BuduFinance Officer Toshie KonoAsian Woman’s Network Luthfa KhatunCECF Refugee Service Ana Maldonado

CECF REFUGEE SERVICES

Providing advice and practical help to asylum seekers and refugees in Cambridge.

Working in partnership with the statutory and voluntary sector to develop and deliver services to asylum seekers and refugees.

Developing resource materials for those working with asylum seekers and refugees.

If you are an asylum seeker or refugee and need assistance, we have welfare advice surgeries 10am - 1pm on Monday and Friday.

Or to book an appointment, please contact 01223 655 241

Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equal-ity Support Services CHESS

Helps individuals who have been victims of discrimination or who have been a victim of racial harrassment.

To book an appointment, please contact 01223 655 241 or emailChessEnquiries@Cecf.Co.Uk

CECF BOARD OFDIRECTORS/TRUSTEES

ChairValerie Berkson

Secretary Cliff BellTreasurer

Joyce Andrade

TRUSTEESShamim Ahmed

Wang YanQumar NizanShanaz MalikAlima Adams

Balan SisupalanXuemei Li

Peninna Serrano

Italian Benefits and Pension Advice

First Friday of every month from 10am to 12 noon.

To book an appoint-ment please contact Carlo Ciccarello on 01234 357 889

Supported by:

Partnership: