At DCRSC we are very dependent on our dedicated team of Volunteers.   Without them a lot of our activities and support to the Centre simply could not take place.   There are between 20 and 30 regular Volunteers who assist with a range of tasks:

You can see this is quite a variation in the tasks that area required to be performed.   Something for everyone we think!
We must give our special thanks to all our volunteers, no matter in which capacity they work for us. We could not operate without their help and support.

Here are some of the comments made by some of our Volunteers:

“I entered Volunteering by talking to others and decided to try and help because I felt DCRSC was a worthwhile charitable cause.   I particularly enjoy being in the Kitchen and meeting lots of people.   This is a new experience for me and very rewarding”

“I just enjoy helping other people.”

“You are working with nice people who are caring and helpful.”

“I’m very glad to be part of DCRSC.   Everyone works so very hard and it has to be
remembered that in those moments when you get angry or frustrated, that it is all worth it!
We are great!”

“I have been a volunteer at DCRSC for about six or seven years and I find it both interesting and very rewarding.   I usually spend about four hours each week making up Food Parcels for our service users who are without any support.   We also provide tea and coffee for those who are waiting to see Project Support Workers and it is the interaction with people whilst doing this which makes it all worthwhile for me.

Vision Statement:   A group set up to assist women in developing their English language skills while making friends and having fun.

The Women's Development Group was formed to respond to the orientation needs of dispersed female asylum seekers to Plymouth.   Blerina started and continued to coordinate the running of the group with its varied programme and activities.

The aim was to help the ladies to improve their English language skills in a friendly environment and to help them integrate into local communities.

A true way of getting harmony and respect used before, by Sue Turner⁵⁰, was to involve many different topics to help them understand each other’s backgrounds and give them opportunity to learn from one another.   Liz Hardinge, who also has been a great support from the early stages of this group, assisted Blerina in this task with added assistance from Moira Horsham during 2008.

It is obvious that some cultures are better equipped to handle these challenges than others.   Some of the ladies come with real taboos about sharing personal matters, etc., and the women's group has helped to break down these barriers and given them friendships that have proved enduring.   During the early stages of being in the UK , especially if you are learning English, the DCRSC Women's Development Group meets a real need.

Our face-to-face advice to women exposes many concerns about their welfare, parenting skills, emotional stability, orientation to British culture, befriending needs and steps to integration, etc.   Some of the women do not take any outside opportunities to be with other ladies in this kind of relaxed, non-threatening environment because of isolation or fear of the unknown.

There were regular visits from a member of KEW-5 Team, based at the Nomony Children’s Centre⁵¹ that offered 20-30 minutes at the beginning of the time to have a Question & Answer Sessions in order to answer any concerns raised by the mums directly.   It proved to be a very beneficial time for everyone.

They met together, practiced English and had a good laugh.   Margaret Shinner was invited to talk about British culture and attitudes that were important for the ladies to understand.   It was all very useful and our members of staff often witnessed the results of such positive interaction on the well being of those attended regularly.

The development of the group varies with the fluctuations of needs amongst those women currently accessing the services at DCRSC.   The autumn of 2008 brought huge changes to the lives of those who were given positive decisions and when numerous families chose to move away from the city, the group had to consider the future needs of those who remained.

For those who have a command of the English language and are either moving into independence, or have been here a while, it is necessary for us to encourage and seek to link them to the community groups that can take them one step further into integration.   Some mothers desperately need to increase their own support network wider into the community, which is vital for their future well-being and establishes links in their own geographical location.

Thus a general discussion of those who were still in the city, met with requests to have English classes to fill the gaps of available ESOL⁵² provision due to long waiting lists, and they asked for an opportunity to learn to use a computer.

Currently the group is not meeting regularly as many of the women seem to be finding opportunities to meet their needs through other groups meeting in the city but we remain open to reconvening the group as and when the need is seen.

There are many things to consider about increasing the opportunities for our women and the impact such a group can have during the time spent waiting for Home Office decisions.   It is our aim to continue to survey the needs and address them in order to continue developing the women into confident and empowered individuals.

Getting to Grips with Triage Work

Visit of the Lord & Lady Mayoress to DCRSC