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April 2009
NEWSLETTER
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From the Chair 10thAnniversary Birthdays AGM, etc. Clothing Store Food Programme IT Suite To the Editor
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FOREWORD
BY THE
CHAIR OF THE DCRSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BY THE
CHAIR OF THE DCRSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Another busy month in the life of DCRSC has gone by with our hard working volunteers and staff continuing to try to keep up with the many needs of our clients. The Trustees are fully aware of the inadequacies of our premises which make the working environment much more difficult. When we moved from Wesley Methodist Church in the Crescent, these premises appeared to be almost ideal, centrally located, four offices with all the required services as well as a large basement and a reasonable rent for the city centre – what more could we want? But gone are the days when it was not unusual to have fewer than six asylum seekers on our Drop-in Days! As you know, 60 or more clients now find their way to DCRSC on Mondays and Wednesdays. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking steps to improve not only the efficiency of our work, but to try to lessen the stress from our case-workers (and volunteers) who do wonderful work under very difficult circumstances.
During March we had a visit from Baroness Caroline Cox who is the founder of HART-UK – the Humanitarian Aid & Relief Trust. As her humanitarian work has taken her to many conflict zones around the world, particularly Darfur, it seemed appropriate to make sure that a number of asylum-seekers from Darfur were in the Centre for her to meet. As a result, about 12 young men from Darfur were there, some of whom had been in Plymouth for as long as seven years and still waiting for a decision! They listened with interest to what Baroness Cox had to say, assuring them that she would speak for their situation when she spoke in the House of Lords. Smiles broke out on their faces when she spoke a few words in their language! She thanked everyone for the work of DCRSC. This visit was organised by some members of St. Jude’s Church and we would like to express thanks to them.
Another busy month in the life of DCRSC has gone by with our hard working volunteers and staff continuing to try to keep up with the many needs of our clients. The Trustees are fully aware of the inadequacies of our premises which make the working environment much more difficult. When we moved from Wesley Methodist Church in the Crescent, these premises appeared to be almost ideal, centrally located, four offices with all the required services as well as a large basement and a reasonable rent for the city centre – what more could we want? But gone are the days when it was not unusual to have fewer than six asylum seekers on our Drop-in Days! As you know, 60 or more clients now find their way to DCRSC on Mondays and Wednesdays. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking steps to improve not only the efficiency of our work, but to try to lessen the stress from our case-workers (and volunteers) who do wonderful work under very difficult circumstances.
During March we had a visit from Baroness Caroline Cox who is the founder of HART-UK – the Humanitarian Aid & Relief Trust. As her humanitarian work has taken her to many conflict zones around the world, particularly Darfur, it seemed appropriate to make sure that a number of asylum-seekers from Darfur were in the Centre for her to meet. As a result, about 12 young men from Darfur were there, some of whom had been in Plymouth for as long as seven years and still waiting for a decision! They listened with interest to what Baroness Cox had to say, assuring them that she would speak for their situation when she spoke in the House of Lords. Smiles broke out on their faces when she spoke a few words in their language! She thanked everyone for the work of DCRSC. This visit was organised by some members of St. Jude’s Church and we would like to express thanks to them.
As this Newsletter is going to press, Trish Baxter has an invitation to be one of the speakers at a presentation on “Our Safety and Security in Plymouth”, organised by the African House Community. The title of her talk is “Keeping out of trouble”. Rupert Blomfield, a former DCRSC Manager, is also a speaker. We hope to hear more of this in our next Newsletter.
One last point, and it is a very important point. There are rumours going about that DCRSC is closing down, due to lack of funds. The Trustees assure our Supporters that this is not so, but of course, along with most charities, we do need more funds, but...
WE ARE NOT CLOSING DOWN!
Best wishes,
Lorna M Sewell
Chair Board of Trustees
One last point, and it is a very important point. There are rumours going about that DCRSC is closing down, due to lack of funds. The Trustees assure our Supporters that this is not so, but of course, along with most charities, we do need more funds, but...
WE ARE NOT CLOSING DOWN!
Best wishes,
Lorna M Sewell
Chair Board of Trustees
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DCRSC
T
ENTH ANNIVERSARY OF DCRSC. DCRSC will be recognising its
10th Anniversary this year. Watch this space for announcements regarding the events to be held throughout the year!C
ALLING ALL EARLY DCRSC MEMBERS. We are asking all DCRSC Newsletter readers whether they have any special memories of the past ten years and if so, to please get in touch with us. We are particularly looking to contact founder members and those with memories of our earlier days... but anyone can contribute! These will be included on our Display Boards at the Centre and at our Anniversary Events. Do please, please, please pass any comments, articles or photographs to the Editor, or to anyone at the Centre. Contributions can remain anonymous if that is what you would prefer. 
A
N UPDATE ON OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY PLANS. An article by Christine R., Coordinator of the 10th Anniversary Sub-committee.
Annual General Meeting. This will now take place during the Festival Day on Saturday, 6th June at Sherwell Church Hall on North Hill in Plymouth.
Festival Day. This will take place on Saturday, 6th June at Sherwell Church Hall on North Hill in Plymouth. A full programme of the day’s events will appear in the May Newsletter.
Visitors to the Centre. Some of our loyal Supporters and Donors from Sheepwash and Shebbear Churches are hoping to visit our Centre during March or later. Final arrangements will be made when John S. returns from ‘Down Under’. Arrangements are also in hand to compile a list of guests to be invited to the Centre during the course of this Anniversary Year.
Linda Gilroy, MP. An invitation has also been extended to the MP for Plymouth Sutton, to visit during our Centre during the Easter recess from Parliament. This has yet to be confirmed so please so watch this space!
Refugee Week: Monday, 15th – Saturday, 21st June 2009. The Theme for this year is “Simple Acts” and Christine R. and Geoff R. have been attending meetings at the Theatre Royal so that DCRSC can play an active part in this event We hope to be able to relay further information to you soon!
PLYMOUTH Community Services (Libraries). Tea Party. To be held on Thursday, 18th or Friday, 19th June 2009. Further details to be announced.
Gifts And Gizzits. Further supplies of Key Fobs, and also some Fridge Magnets have been received and Christine R. is still busy assembling these. Christine has also obtained a number of ballpoint pens suitably marked with the DCRSC logo.
The Future. The Board of Trustees will begin looking at ‘The Way Forward', at their forthcoming Board Meetings, during the year.
Festival Day. This will take place on Saturday, 6th June at Sherwell Church Hall on North Hill in Plymouth. A full programme of the day’s events will appear in the May Newsletter.
Visitors to the Centre. Some of our loyal Supporters and Donors from Sheepwash and Shebbear Churches are hoping to visit our Centre during March or later. Final arrangements will be made when John S. returns from ‘Down Under’. Arrangements are also in hand to compile a list of guests to be invited to the Centre during the course of this Anniversary Year.
Linda Gilroy, MP. An invitation has also been extended to the MP for Plymouth Sutton, to visit during our Centre during the Easter recess from Parliament. This has yet to be confirmed so please so watch this space!
Refugee Week: Monday, 15th – Saturday, 21st June 2009. The Theme for this year is “Simple Acts” and Christine R. and Geoff R. have been attending meetings at the Theatre Royal so that DCRSC can play an active part in this event We hope to be able to relay further information to you soon!
PLYMOUTH Community Services (Libraries). Tea Party. To be held on Thursday, 18th or Friday, 19th June 2009. Further details to be announced.
Gifts And Gizzits. Further supplies of Key Fobs, and also some Fridge Magnets have been received and Christine R. is still busy assembling these. Christine has also obtained a number of ballpoint pens suitably marked with the DCRSC logo.
The Future. The Board of Trustees will begin looking at ‘The Way Forward', at their forthcoming Board Meetings, during the year.
D
CRSC FESTIVAL DAY: SATURDAY, 6TH JUNE 2009. A message from Christine, the 10th Anniversary Coordinator... It was decided a Meeting of the Board of Trustees 20thMarch to incorporate the Annual General Meeting into this day. The programme for the day has been planned and it will appear in a later Newsletter. I need now to put some arrangements into place.
•Trish B. will be coordinating the visual displays, etc., with a Volunteer Team already indentified.
•Margaret S. has kindly agreed to help coordinate the catering arrangements and I am looking for somebody to work with her on this, as well as a team of willing helpers and volunteers to prepare the food.
•Liz H. will be looking after the tea and coffee.
•I am anticipating that there will be a few children in attendance and Victoria has offered her assistance although I feel sure she would appreciate some assistance.
•I am also looking for a couple of Receptionists and some Stewards. And someone to look after the stall of promotional goodies.
•Will also need a few people who on the day will be prepared to do anything... to troubleshoot problems as and when they arise!
It should be remembered that this Festival Day is an acknowledgement of all that has been put into DCRSC over the last ten years.
DEVON & CORNWALL REFUGEE SUPPORT COUNCIL. Christine R. wrote this article of the visit of the Baroness:
Baroness Caroline Cox was able to pay a quick visit to the DCRSC Offices at the start of her visit to the City on Thursday, 5th March. It was particularly pleasing that she was able to make a short stop in this our 10th Anniversary Year. Caroline, as she prefers to be called, was met at the door by Christine Reid and was escorted into the Office where she was greeted by Lorna Sewell and Arnold Melhuish. Lady Cox was accompanied by Dr. Steve and Mrs. Trudy Warren who had initiated the visit. After a speech of welcome by Lorna, Caroline commenced with the main purpose of her visit which was to meet and talk to a group of Asylum Seekers and Refugees mainly from the Darfur region of Sudan. The Baroness has a particular interest in the Sudan and the atrocities that have taken place there. She greeted each person individually and sat and talked to them as a group. The fact that someone was listening to them really gave them hope and we are sure they felt very proud to have met her. Sudan is one of the many countries that Lady Cox has visited as part of her Humanitarian Aid Work.
Lady Cox wrote the following words on our 10th Anniversary Card:
With profound appreciation and admiration for your important work on behalf of some of the exiled victims of war and oppression... there can be no more important ministry.
Caroline Cox
BARONESS Cox of Queensbury, an expert on humanitarian work around the world, met refugees from Darfur in Sudan in Plymouth yesterday. Her visit to the city came days after the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese leader, President Omar Al-Bashir, for war crimes in Darfur. Lady Cox met 15 refugees at the Devon and Corn Cornwall Refugee Centre in Wimpole Street. "Their situation is so tragic," she said. "Some have been living here for five to seven years. "They were all very happy and relieved about the decision of the International Criminal Court. "I asked them whether it would make life more difficult for their people and they said it couldn't get worse." Lady Cox is the founder and CEO of the organisation Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART). As part of her work, she travels to HART-funded aid and advocacy programmes in Nagorno Karabagh, East and West Burma, East Timor, India, Nigeria, southern Sudan and northern Uganda. Lady Cox told a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor that coming to Plymouth was like coming home.
Her parents came from Devonport and her mother went to Plymouth High School for Girls. Lady Cox spent the day in Plymouth meeting political and religious leaders in the city.
For further information on HART please visit: http://www.hart-uk.org/
L
EADING HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER VISITSDEVON & CORNWALL REFUGEE SUPPORT COUNCIL. Christine R. wrote this article of the visit of the Baroness:
Baroness Caroline Cox was able to pay a quick visit to the DCRSC Offices at the start of her visit to the City on Thursday, 5th March. It was particularly pleasing that she was able to make a short stop in this our 10th Anniversary Year. Caroline, as she prefers to be called, was met at the door by Christine Reid and was escorted into the Office where she was greeted by Lorna Sewell and Arnold Melhuish. Lady Cox was accompanied by Dr. Steve and Mrs. Trudy Warren who had initiated the visit. After a speech of welcome by Lorna, Caroline commenced with the main purpose of her visit which was to meet and talk to a group of Asylum Seekers and Refugees mainly from the Darfur region of Sudan. The Baroness has a particular interest in the Sudan and the atrocities that have taken place there. She greeted each person individually and sat and talked to them as a group. The fact that someone was listening to them really gave them hope and we are sure they felt very proud to have met her. Sudan is one of the many countries that Lady Cox has visited as part of her Humanitarian Aid Work.
With profound appreciation and admiration for your important work on behalf of some of the exiled victims of war and oppression... there can be no more important ministry.
Caroline Cox
S
UDAN REFUGEES MEET AID LEADER. The following article was published in The Herald on Friday, 6th March:BARONESS Cox of Queensbury, an expert on humanitarian work around the world, met refugees from Darfur in Sudan in Plymouth yesterday. Her visit to the city came days after the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese leader, President Omar Al-Bashir, for war crimes in Darfur. Lady Cox met 15 refugees at the Devon and Corn Cornwall Refugee Centre in Wimpole Street. "Their situation is so tragic," she said. "Some have been living here for five to seven years. "They were all very happy and relieved about the decision of the International Criminal Court. "I asked them whether it would make life more difficult for their people and they said it couldn't get worse." Lady Cox is the founder and CEO of the organisation Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART). As part of her work, she travels to HART-funded aid and advocacy programmes in Nagorno Karabagh, East and West Burma, East Timor, India, Nigeria, southern Sudan and northern Uganda. Lady Cox told a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor that coming to Plymouth was like coming home.
Her parents came from Devonport and her mother went to Plymouth High School for Girls. Lady Cox spent the day in Plymouth meeting political and religious leaders in the city.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
C
ONTRIBUTIONS. We welcome all contributions from anyone to our monthly
Newsletters. Do you have something to include? Please pass your article or comment to the Editor whose contact details are at the foot
of each page. News, gossip, information, notices, advertisements, photographs… anything will be considered for inclusion! Ed. 
DISTRIBUTION
D
ISTRIBUTION. We would like to publicise our monthly Newsletters far and wide.
Unfortunately, due to financial constraints and to avoid postal charges, we can only send copies to those on email.
A few spare copies will be available at the Reception Desk at DCRSC. The layout is designed so that it can be printed back-to-back, so do please print off a copy
and pass it to your friends. If you are reading this and not already receiving a copy then please get in touch with the Editor.
Ed.GREETINGS & BEST WISHES!
H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Jeanne HINTON for her birthday on Wednesday, 1st April. Jeanne is one of our Supporters.H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Aris KAKONDE for his birthday on Friday, 3rd April. Aris is one of our former volunteers but remains a Supporter. We are hoping he will be rejoining our ranks again very soon. B
EST WISHES to Hadi AL-ZUBAIDI for his birthday on Tuesday, 7th April. Hadi is one of our volunteers and until recently, assisted us in supervising our Internet Suite. He remains a Supporter. H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Hercule MIKUBU for his birthday on Sunday, 12th April. Hercule is one of our former volunteers and now a Supporter. B
EST WISHES to Trish BAXTER for her birthday on Friday, 24th April. Trish is a member of our Staff and one of our hardworking Project Support Workers.H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Hermione MARSHALL for her birthday on Wednesday, 29th April. Hermione is one of our Supporters.
DCRSC GENERAL MATTERS
A
NNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The AGM has been scheduled to be held on Saturday, 6th June at Sherwell Church, North Hill, during the DCRSC Festival Day. Further details will follow.A
NNUAL REVIEW FOR 2008. We are now preparing our Annual Report in readiness for issuing in this, our
10th Anniversary Year. If anyone has any snippets, articles or photographs for inclusion then do please send them to the Newsletter Editor. Copies of our earlier Annual Reports can be seen on our website at: http://dcrsc.cfsites.org/ We would particularly appreciate receiving articles, pictures, etc. from our volunteers and clients.
B
OARD OF TRUSTEES. The Board held a meeting on Friday, 20th March 2009. The next
Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 23rd April 2009. If there is something of concern that you would like the Board to discuss then please
mention it to the Editor who will pass it on to our Board Members. B
ROCHURE. The DCRSC general leaflet and the Food Brochure have been updated and copies can be seen and downloaded from our website at: http://dcrsc.cfsites.org/. If not on-line, simply contact the Newsletter Editor for copies.M
EN’S DEVELOPMENT GROUP. We are currently trying to build a group to cater for the requirements of our male clients to include such things as sports, English conversation, visits, etc. Moira H. and Bill B. are currently attempting to get this off the groundand if you think you could be of any assistance do please get into contact with one of them. 
P
LYMOUTH ASYLUM SEEKERS & REFUGEE CONSORTIUM (PASRC). The Consortium held a meeting on Monday, 19th January 2009. The date of the next meeting is Monday, 20th April 2009.S
TAFF TEAM MEETINGS. Staff Team Meetings are usually held on a Wednesday every other week.
The Staff Team had a meeting on Wednesday, 18th November and Arnold M. has emailed copies of the minutes.
The next meeting has yet to be scheduled.
S
TATISTICS. Geoff R. has produced the monthly statistics for DCRSC for January 2009 and is currently working on those for February.
If anyone wishes to have sight of any statistical information then do please contact the Editor directly in the first instance.
The 2007 statistics are included in the 2007 Annual Report
which is available on our website: http://dcrsc.cfsites.org/Geoff informed the Board a while ago that he will not be producing the monthly statistics for the Centre beyond February although, as the Food Programme Coordinator he will continue to produce those. So the Board is now looking for a volunteer to help out on this. Please contact the Board Secretary, Arnold M.
T
ALKS AND PRESENTATIONS. Volunteers from DCRSC would be more than happy to visit any school, faith group or organisation to give a talk about the work of DCRSC. These are usually given with a PowerPoint Presentation. We’re prepared to come to your own venue at a date and a time convenient to yourselves. No fees are charged for such talks but should the audience wish to make a small donation on the day to cover the cost of photocopying, etc., then that would be more than welcome!
Are you a School, Group or Organisation that would
welcome a Talk about the work of DCRSC?
Please get in touch with the Editor in the first instance.
welcome a Talk about the work of DCRSC?
Please get in touch with the Editor in the first instance.
V
OLUNTEER'S MEETINGSMarch 2009 Meeting. This was held at on Thursday, 26th March and was chaired by Liz H. John J. took the minutes and they will be circulated in due course.
April 2009 Meeting. This is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, 30th April and will be chaired by Liz H. All volunteers are encouraged to attend.
V
OLUNTEER'S ROSTER FOR April 2009. John J. is responsible for producing the roster.
The roster includes the names of volunteers for the Reception Desk, the Food Team, Auxiliary Caseworkers, Clothing Store, Internet Suite and ‘Floating’ Volunteers.
Just the one hard copy is displayed at the Centre... in the Kitchen. Do please add you names to the list!
W
OMEN’S DEVELOPMENT GROUP. Sessions are usually being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., every other Thursday. It was announced at a recent Volunteers’ Meeting that all activities of this Group have been suspended until further notice due to an apparent lack of interest. Further information can be obtained from Liz H. or Blerina K.W
EBSITE. We would welcome any suggestions, criticisms and / or comments that you have regarding this site so do please forward
them to the Editor. Please also make a note of this link in your diaries, etc.: http://dcrsc.cfsites.org/. When did you last take a look at our website?THE DCRSC CLOTHING STORE
D
ONATIONS. The Clothing Store would welcome any donations of clothing, etc., but are currently in need of:
Please note that no Ladies or Children’s Clothing are required at the moment. It would be most helpful if all donations were clean and of reasonable quality. All contributions will be gratefully received and put to good use.
M
EETING. The Clothing Store volunteers held a meeting on Tuesday, 7th April and a copy of the minutes may be obtained on application to the Clothing Store Coordinator, Charlie T. The date of the next meeting has yet to be decided.S
HOPPING RAILS. We are currently looking for some new sets of rails on which to hang the clothing that we have available for our clients... you know the ones... similar to those used in shops. Can anyone help us out with this or point us in the right direction? We could also use a couple of mannequins if anyone can put their hands on some.W
ANTED! The Clothing Store is in need of a vacuum cleaner which is in good state of repair. The one they currently have is well past its sell-by date and another one is desperately needed to keep the Store in a clean and tidy state. Can anyone help? Please, please, please!THE DCRSC FOOD PROGRAMME
B
ROCHURE. The DCRSC Food Brochure has been updated and copies can be seen and downloaded from our website at: http://dcrsc.cfsites.org/B
UDGET. Some of you will be aware that the Food Programme had a very difficult financial start to the year and we had to overspend on our budget in January and February. This was due to:•An increase in the number of destitute clients requiring food parcels.
•The general increase in the price of purchasing even the food requirements from local outlets.
•The gradual but very noticeable decrease in the amount of food being contributed to our Food Programme by way of donations.
Put all this together and we were spending and spending just to keep up with our basic needs! The Board agreed to write-off the overspends for January and February and to increase the Food Programme Budget wef March. This is most welcome but of course it must be realised that we are now robbing Peter to pay Paul! This budgetary increase on food simply means we will have less to spend on other essential items.
D
ONATIONS. We are mainly looking for dried and tinned foodstuffs that can be easily stored. We could accept a very limited amount of fresh food. If you have food items to donate you can deliver it directly to our Centre at 7, Whimple Street in Plymouth. Alternatively, contact Geoff who will arrange for its collection. Please contact him at:
T
OILETRIES. The Food Team has now taken on the responsibility of preparing toiletry packs for clients on the Permanent Food Client List. It is felt that one pack per month, containing basic items of soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a couple of razors would be sufficient for any emergency. Ideally we would like to give clients a few extras such as shower gel and shampoo for the ladies. All stocks of toiletries issued will be recorded and monitored each week in the same way as Food Issues. We are currently looking for small jars or screw-top bottles to decant shampoo, etc., into them as most of the stuff that has been received is in the large economy size bottles. The Food Team would particularly welcome any donations of almost any Toiletry articles but are currently in need of:
T
HANK YOU! The volunteer Food Programme Coordinator would like to express his especial thanks to all those who gave their time and / or who made donations during recent months. It is work that is so often unseen but very much appreciated and... very necessary!THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUITE
S
UPERVISION. Volunteers are currently required to help assist in the day-to-day running of our Internet Suite. No computer experience is necessary at all although of course it would be useful. Please pass your names to Liz H. or to the Newsletter Editor.LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From:
multilingual-group@blueyonder.co.uk
To: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk
Sent:Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
Subject: NEWSLETTER FOR MARCH 2009
Thanks, Geoff.
Lovely newsletter!
Best wishes,
Ricky.
To: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk
Sent:Tuesday, 3rd March 2009
Subject: NEWSLETTER FOR MARCH 2009
Thanks, Geoff.
Lovely newsletter!
Best wishes,
Ricky.
Nice compliment... thanks Ricky! Ed.
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