NEWSLETTER

This was held on in the Plymouth Guildhall on the Bank Holiday Monday, 1^st May.   DCRSC was represented by Trish B.   One of the themes for this year was “Human Rights” so Trish prepared her exhibit around that subject whilst emphasising the Practical Support that DCRSC provides.   Were we busy?   Well... not really!   But it gave us the opportunity to make ourselves known better in the community.
A lot of organisations were represented in addition to the major Trades Union:   END, Free Palestine, Pensioners’ Forum, etc.
There was also an audio / visual presentation about Apartheid, with pictures of South Africa and the Black Power Movement in the USA.
Christine R. was accosted by a Highwayman and, in conversation, it transpired he was a Shop Steward with the Retail Industry with special responsibility for Food.   He has suggested that we contact him with a view to DCRSC being their Adopted Charity in the future.   One of my highlights of the day was a fabulous bowl of soup with some savouries... prepared by some Portuguese caterers.
It was an interesting day and it certainly helped to raise the profile of DCRSC within the Community.

•  Clients.   We no longer use this term.   We now refer to them as Service Users.

• Caseworkers.   We no longer use this term either.   We now refer to them as Project Support Workers.

Tuesday, 2^nd - a.m. & p.m.
Wednesday, 3^rd - a.m. & p.m.
Mon 8^th - p.m.
Tues 16^th - a.m. & p.m.
Wed 17^th - p.m.
Thurs 18^th - p.m.
Mon 22^nd - p.m.
Tues 23^nd - p.m.
Wed 24^th - a.m. & p.m.
Thurs 25^th - p.m.
Mon 29^th - p.m.
Thurs 30^th - a.m. & p.m.

The Football Team started following an initial conversation between a student worker from START and volunteers (David) from DCRSC who all agreed that there was a demand for male service users to play football and that these needs were not currently being met.   Names of those interested in playing football were taken at START Cultural Kitchen as well by Project Support Workers at START and DCRSC.   Our first few sessions were a success and were attended by service users from eight different ethnicities.
The equipment (balls, bibs and marker cones) was kindly lent to us by Marjons University.   After the initial success we were doubtful about how we could continue this football project for the long term as the university requires their equipment back during term time and the fact funding applications can take some time.
Despite this uncertainty, the numbers of service users attending our sessions on a Friday were consistently high (around about 20).   The word about the project had started to get around the various charitable partners that work with START and DCRSC, and we were eventually approached by the REC (Racial Equality Council) to attend a meeting with Groundwork and the local Police Diversity Unit about the way forward and the sustainability of the team.   Groundwork run a modern, state-of-the-art 3-G pitch at Saltash and want to encourage more BME (Black, Minority Ethnic) groups to use their facilities.   As part of the agreement, Groundwork allowed the team to use the facilities free of charge with the REC paying for transportation costs.   The facilities have proven popular with the service users and volunteers.   The 3-G pitch technology has only been in the UK for a few years and can be described as ‘plastic grass’, which makes it an easier flat surface to play on and reduces the risk of injury.   After several sessions numbers began to increase.   Groundwork has allocated further funding to ensure all the players have the adequate equipment (shirts, shorts, etc.,) to participate in future sessions.
The players are not just enjoying the vast amount of health benefits of regular exercise (which will save the National Health Service money in the long run), but also the chance to practice / learn English and to experience and learn about other cultures. The football sessions have led to socialising outside of these sessions between players of various different ethnicities. In particular, it has now become the norm for players to attend START’s Cultural Kitchen and to socialise more.   A team has been set up due to several agencies (Groundwork, DCRSC, REC & START) working together to achieve the common goal of having a multi ethnic football team of asylum seekers and refugees.   We‘ll be looking to play friendly games over the next year or so, but have the long term aim of entering a local league.   We’re still looking for players and volunteers to help run the team, if you are interested or would like support the team please contact David or Bill 01752 265 592.