The surplus at the end of 2008 was £56,646.   This figure was the result of some extremely generous donations  ( listed in the Income Section of the Accounts )   and a significant reduction in our expenditure compared with 2007.

2007:  £131,824
2008:  £75,998

A Consortium of Refugees First²¹, START²²and ourselves, achieved a commitment from the Plymouth City Council²³ to assist our work for a period of three years starting with April 2008; our share of £16,600 only covers a small amount of our work but it is important, in that other funders we approach recognise the Local Authority’s commitment.

At the end of 2008, we also received confirmation of a funding package over three years from Lloyds TSB Foundation²⁴.   Together with the Plymouth City Council grant, we can anticipate a significant start to our funding through to 2011.   However, we still need to find over £60,000 per annum from all other sources to continue at our present level.

The Finance and Fundraising Team are exploring all avenues to achieve this and despite many refusals are confident that we can reach these targets.

Finally, we would like to thank all those donors from the South West who regularly give to our charitable organisation.   Over the year these small individuals and group donations made a significant difference to our income.   In addition, they give us great encouragement that DCRSC is a valued charity servicing asylum seekers and refugees in the South West.

AN OVERVIEW OF 2008

The focus in 2008 was on Training and Awareness-raising for Volunteers.   DCRSC are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and hard working team of volunteers that come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring to the organisation a wide range of diverse skills.   Due to the reduction in staff, developing and building on the skills of the volunteers became paramount to enabling us to maintain the level of services it offers to its service users.

Two DCRSC staff members did, however, manage to attend a workshop and a conference that increased their awareness of issues that may affect some of the individuals accessing our Advice & Advocacy services  (details below).

VOLUNTEER & STAFF TRAINING

•February 2008 and June 2008:
The Asylum System and Awareness Raising.

10 a.m. - 10 p.m. at the former Plymouth Community Partnership Building.

These sessions focused mainly on introducing the asylum system to volunteers and raising awareness of the experiences and needs of our service users.   They also covered some training of simple tasks that would support the work of Project Support Workers.   The sessions were both well attended and highlighted the desire by many volunteers to become more aware of and participate more in the advice and advocacy service offered by DCRSC.

•Friday, 1^st August 2008:
Claiming Asylum, Benefits System & Destitution.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Masiandae Centre, Whimple Street.

This session revised and built on the above, giving more information about the legal process of claiming asylum and the benefits system offered to those who are destitute.   It also raised awareness of who our service users are and the provision of DCRSC services as OISC^{26 27} Level-1 Registered Advisors.   The intention of the session was also to give more in-depth training to those volunteers that were interested in supporting project support workers with some of the basic casework task and group work on completing forms and handling complaints was given, together with some role-play scenarios.   In addition, there was also a talk to increase the awareness of the Active Listening skills necessary - not just in consultations - but also to make for a better working relationship between all those involved at DCRSC.   The session was extremely well supported by volunteers, staff members, service users and also members of the Board of Trustees.

•Tuesday, 30^th September:
The Work of DCRSC & the Asylum Process.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Plymouth Arts Centre.

This training began with a word from the Chair of the DCRSC Board of Trustees, Lorna Sewell, followed by a PowerPoint presentation by Geoff Read, Christine Reid and Charlie Taylor on the work of our organisation.   The presentation was based around the Talks that Geoff and his team had been taking into schools and organisations in the South West and gave staff and volunteers the opportunity to provide them some feedback.   Trish Baxter finished by updating everyone on the changes she had witnessed in the Asylum Process during her time at DCRSC.

STAFF TRAINING

• Wednesday, 10^th September:
Independent Review Service Workshop.

Pat Joyce attended.

The Independent Review Service²⁸ is a review body for the discretionary Social Fund²⁹.   The workshop explained the different types of financial assistance available and the criteria that must be met to obtain this assistance through the Social Fund.   Understanding what is available, the criteria and the pitfalls of applying for the Social Fund is important for those giving advice.   The workshop also highlighted who our service users should be signed posted to for advice before making any application.

• Wednesday, 15^th October 2008:
Refugee Action Refugee Employment & Integration Services (RIES) Project³⁰.

Moira Horsham, Pat Joyce, Blerina Kurra, John Shinner and Colin Stares attended.

Jane Robinson, the Manager of Refugee Action³¹ in Plymouth, gave a talk on her organisation’s involvement in the new Refugee Integration & Employment Services project.   Jane advised of the criteria for accessing this service and how DCRSC can signpost those who are eligible.   Asylum seekers who have claimed asylum under the NAM³² and have received a positive decision since the RIES project went live in October 2008, are eligible for this support service.

• Thursday, 20^th November 2008:
Domestic Abuse Conference.

Trish Baxter attended.

Attended by many local agencies that coordinate to provide a linked approach to dealing with domestic abuse.   Trish represented DCRSC as there are occasions when our organisation has had to deal with these issues.

It was a great opportunity to network with individuals working in the private and public sectors as well as strengthening partnerships with voluntary sector staff who are well known to us through previous connections.   The Immigration Act makes provision for asylum to be granted in certain cases of domestic abuse and the conference input will prove to be a valuable asset in the future.

Views of our 2008 Training Day