May 2010
FOREWORD
Written by Lorna M. SEWELL
Written by Lorna M. SEWELL
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Everyone is so very busy these days but all in a very worthwhile way! All of our Trustees, Staff and Volunteers have been exceedingly busy during April and the pressure will not reduce at least until the end of this month!
I make no apologies for the length of this Newsletter as there are some very good articles about current and forthcoming events. Especially with the General Election and Local Elections coming up and then, next month... Refugee Week.
I do read all your letters and comments, so do please keep them coming!
And don't forget... any of you can write an article for our Newsletter so please get writing!
Finally, do please take a look at our Website now and again... it now includes a very useful Calendar of Events.
Yours sincerely,
Volunteer & Newsletter Editor
Are you a School, Group or Organisation that would welcome a Talk about the work of DCRS?
Please get in touch with the Editor in the first instance.
Please get in touch with the Editor in the first instance.
CONTENTS
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
|
Just run your mouse over the blue links and click... | |
| Activities Group | Page 4 |
| Advertisements | Page 6 |
| Clothing Store | Page 4 |
| Diary Dates | Page 19 |
| Food Programme | Page 4 |
| Foreword | Page 1 |
| General Matters | Page 3 |
| Greetings & Best Wishes | Page 2 |
| Information | Page 6 |
| Internet Suite | Page 5 |
| Letters to the Editor | Page 1 |
| News | Page 6 |
| Reception Desk & Volunteers | Page 6 |
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
From: Judith
To: Geoffrey READ <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Mon, 15 March, 2010 14:19:17
Subject: RE: DESTITUTION FEATURED ON SECRET MILLIONAIRE TONIGHT!
Thanks Geoff! I will watch it. Hope you're keeping well. I'm grateful to still be on the DCRS Newsletter mailing list. Before Christmas I thought I would be able to volunteer on some Wednesdays but work commitments have meant that it's not possible. However, unless I find a job before my workplace relocates to Falmouth, I'll be available to volunteer again from September. Great to see Spring here at last!Best wishes
Judith
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From: A Friend & Supporter
To: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 15:51:51
Subject: Re: DCRS: APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER
Hi Geoffrey!
Thanks for keeping us informed about the Newsletter.
May I take this opportunity to talk about Volunteer Service?
I have some friends who would like to be involved in doing some volunteering job.
Shall I get an appointment to discuss about it please?
Many thank you and wish you also Happy Easter!
A Friend
From: A Friend in Canada
To: Geoffrey READ <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 16:25:14
Subject: Re: APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER
Man Oh man Geoff!
This Newsletter is quite something... it's surprising you have time for anything else!.
Great job and I love the Rice Krispy recipe you snucked in there for Easter.
Take care!
Mo
From: A Friend@marjon.ac.uk
To: Geoffrey READ <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 9:14:20
Subject: Re: APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER
Hi Geoff!
Thank you for the Newsletter and updates.
We wish you all a Happy Easter!
Kind regards.
Margret
Placement Co-ordinator - Community and Youth Studies
UCP Marjon
From: George
To: geoffrey <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 16:11:44
Subject: Re: APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER
Geoff!
"Spring is just around the corner'
...Try telling that to the Scots!
Happy Easter!
Kind regards,
George
GREETINGS & BEST WISHES!
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
H
APPY BIRTHDAY
to Heather SABEL for her birthday on Tuesday, 4th May. Heather is a former Project Manager of DCRS and still a keen Supporter. Have a great day Heather! B
EST WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
on Wednesday, 5th May to Paul RICKARD. Paul is one of our Volunteers assisting on our Group Activities Team. Enjoy your special day Paul!H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Liz HARDINGE for Friday, 7th May. Liz is one of our Trustees with especial responsibility as our Personnel Officer for both Staff and Volunteers. Have a great day Liz!B
EST WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY on Friday, 21st May to Lorna ABRAHAM. Lorna only just begun to volunteers with us. Lorna is currently studying at the University of Cardiff and wished to make use of the university holidays to volunteer. Welcome aboard Lorna and thanks for volunteering. Enjoy your special day!W
ISHING A HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to Pat JOYCE for Tuesday, 25th May. Pat is a member of our Paid Staff; our Administrative & Financial Officer. Pat fills in some days as our second Project Support Worker. Happy Birthday Pat! H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Dean CROWNER for his birthday on Thursday, 3rd June. Dean is a former Volunteer and still a keen Supporter. Have a great day Dean!B
EST WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY on Monday, 7th June to Moira HORSHAM. Moira is a former Volunteer and still a keen Supporter. Enjoy your special day Moira!H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Kelly MORRISS for Thursday, 10th June. Kelly is one of our Supporters. Have a great day Kelly!H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Isatta KALLON for Saturday, 12th June. Isatta is one of our Trustees and is currently organising Refugee Week for the Theatre Royal. Have a great day Isatta!W
ISHING A HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Arnold MELHUISH for Tuesday, 15th June. Arnold is Vice-Chair & Secretary on our Board of Trustees. Arnold has been so very busy these past few months organising DCRSC into a Private Company Limited by Guarantee. Happy Birthday Arnold!
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H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Vivien BRUCE for Thursday, 17th June. Vivien is former member of our Food Team but still a keen Supporter. Have a great day Vivien!W
ISHING A HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sabha AL-ZUBAIDI for Saturday, 19th June. Sabha will be three years old and has now moved away from Plymouth. But Mummy and Daddy still keep in touch! Happy Birthday Sabha!H
APPY BIRTHDAY to Paul BAMFORD for Tuesday, 22nd June. Paul is one of our Supporters. Have a great day Paul!W
ISHING A HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ann VERDEN for Wednesday, 30th June. Ann is a member of our hard-working Reception Desk Team. Happy Birthday Ann!W
ELCOME. According to our Personnel Officer for Staff & Volunteers, no new volunteers joined us in the month of April 2010.DCRS GENERAL MATTERS
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
(except where stated)
Written by Geoffrey N. READ
(except where stated)
A
DVERTISEMENT FOR THE POST OFFINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
SALARY: £13,832 (PRO RATA).
DCRS has been providing practical support to Refugees & Asylum Seekers for the past ten years and we are now expanding our services.
Applications were invited in April for the post of Financial & Administrative Officer which would initially will be for three days per week.
The main duties of the post would be the overall administration and management of a small but busy office which supports paid Staff and unpaid Volunteers.
The post holder, in conjunction with the Board Treasurer, would also be responsible for all financial and budgetary arrangements.
It was considered essential that the post holder would be computer literate with a sound knowledge of office procedures, and have an aptitude for financial procedures.
The closing date for applications was Friday, 23th April 2010.
Further details will be announced as and when!The main duties of the post would be the overall administration and management of a small but busy office which supports paid Staff and unpaid Volunteers.
The post holder, in conjunction with the Board Treasurer, would also be responsible for all financial and budgetary arrangements.
It was considered essential that the post holder would be computer literate with a sound knowledge of office procedures, and have an aptitude for financial procedures.
The closing date for applications was Friday, 23th April 2010.
A
NNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010. DCRS will hold an Open Day in the Centre between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, 18th June during Refugee Week. The business side of the AGM will be held later on the same day. A
NNUAL REVIEW FOR 2009.
We're currently assembling and editing our Annual Review for 2009 which will hopefully be ready for publication in time for our Open Day on Friday, 18th June. You can see our earlier reviews by visiting our website at: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org/
ARTICLES FOR THE
2009 ANNUAL REVIEW
Please submit any articles directly to me, Geoff.
(contact details at the foot of the page).
B
APTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN.
This Union will be holding its Annual Assembly in Plymouth Pavilions from Friday, 30th April – Monday, 3rd May. DCRS has been honoured as being their selected charity for the event. We'll be manning a Display Stand / Stall and the timings are currently being worked out.
If you wish to know more about the Baptist Assembly please visit: http://www.baptistassembly.org.uk/home.asp?id=1Submitted by Christine REID
B
OARD OF TRUSTEES' MEETINGS. A meeting of the DCRS Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, 
15th April. The next meeting was originally scheduled for Wednesday, 2nd June 2010 at 2.30 p.m. Should anyone wish to have a particular matter discussed then please contact a Trustee of DCRS.C
ASEWORK TRAINING. Trish BAXTER, our Lead Project Support Worker, conducted training for our Auxiliary Caseworkers on Tuesday, 20th April 2010. Auxiliary Caseworkers are being taught the more rudimentary skills of Project Support Work so they can help to lessen the heavy workload in the Centre. C
ENTRE CLOSED. Please note that DCRS will be closed for business on the following days:Monday, 3rd May 2010: Early May Bank Holiday
and
Monday, 31st May 2010: Spring Bank Holiday
O
PEN DAY. It was agreed, at the February Board of Trustees' Meeting, that DCRS will hold an Open Day in the Centre between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, 18th June during Refugee Week. The business side of the AGM will be held later on the same day.
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T
ALKS AND PRESENTATIONS. Christine REID accompanied by Mrs. Lorna M. SEWELL, Chair of the DCRS Board of Trustees, gave an informal presentation to the Social Inclusion Unit (SIU) of the Plymouth City Council at their Team Meeting on Thursday, 29th April. Christine and Lorna were made very welcome and there was a useful Question & Answer session after the talk.Further information on the SIU can be seen at:
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/text/socialinclusion.
Submitted by Christine REID
T
HE SHOPPER. This is a advertising newspaper that's distributed free to households in Plymouth. We'd like to say a big Thank You to The Shopper for carrying an advertisement free-of-charge every issue on behalf of DCRS. Many thanks The Shopper!
V
OLUNTEERS' MEETINGS. The most recent meeting was held on Thursday, 29th April and the minutes are available at the Centre. All volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend the next meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, 27th MAY. Volunteers who find they are unable to attend are requested, as a matter of courtesy, to inform our Volunteer Coordinator (Liz HARDINGE) prior to the meeting.THE DCRS ACTIVITIES GROUP
Written by Bill BUDGE
Written by Bill BUDGE
R
EPORT. There's very little to report this month as there is really not much going on right now. We seem to be at that in--between stage where all of our projects have been completed for now, but we're still trying to organise more. You will all appreciate how slow these things move but hopefully we'll have something more concrete for you next month!THE DCRS CLOTHING STORE
Written by Elizabeth A. HARDINGE
Written by Elizabeth A. HARDINGE
R
EPORT. We are as always extremely grateful for all the gifts that we receive from our supporters which enable us to provide our Service Users with both clothes and household goods. In the near future we're going to have to reorganise our space in the Basement and this will considerably reduce the storage space for the Clothing Store, which is already full to overflowing!We plan a major sort out and changes to our stock control and circulation so that we can be more efficient and get the good items to those in need rather than hold it in storage. We have therefore decided to ask you to send only the following for the next few weeks:
•Bedding - duvets and covers especially
•Kitchen stuff in good condition
For the moment please we do not need clothes or china but we will let you know when we do!
Thanks for your cooperation and do please watch this space, and our website for further updates.
Team Members. It needs to be someone who can be available on a fairly regular basis so as to have an overall view of the situation and the needs of the Store, and to keep an eye on the stock etc. If you would like a challenge and feel up to it please contact Liz HARDINGE at the Centre for further information. Alternatively email Geoff (details at the foot of the page).
Donations continued to be dropped off at the Centre or are collected from those donating them. We're so very thankful for these little extras as it really does help with the Food Budget and also gives those extra niceties to our Service Users.
Food prices are constantly creeping upwards but at the moment our Food Budget seems to be covering the cost of the foodstuffs we purchase.
One of the items that have dropped off from donations is Teabags and we really could do with some more! We may have to purchase some again soon!
Toiletries are still being supplied at the rate of one pack per month to those Service Users on the Permanent Food Programme. We're always in need of the following items for our male Service Users:
Thanks for your cooperation and do please watch this space, and our website for further updates.
C
LOTHING STORE COORDINATOR. DCRS is looking for a volunteer to coordinate the Clothing Store and its Team Members. It needs to be someone who can be available on a fairly regular basis so as to have an overall view of the situation and the needs of the Store, and to keep an eye on the stock etc. If you would like a challenge and feel up to it please contact Liz HARDINGE at the Centre for further information. Alternatively email Geoff (details at the foot of the page).
THE DCRS FOOD PROGRAMME
Written by Christine REID
(except where stated)
Written by Christine REID
(except where stated)
R
EPORT BY THE FOOD PROGRAMME COORDINATOR. Food Parcels, Toiletries and endless cups of tea and coffee are still keeping the members of the Food Team very busy. The demand for Food Parcels is still being maintained.Donations continued to be dropped off at the Centre or are collected from those donating them. We're so very thankful for these little extras as it really does help with the Food Budget and also gives those extra niceties to our Service Users.
Food prices are constantly creeping upwards but at the moment our Food Budget seems to be covering the cost of the foodstuffs we purchase.
One of the items that have dropped off from donations is Teabags and we really could do with some more! We may have to purchase some again soon!
Toiletries are still being supplied at the rate of one pack per month to those Service Users on the Permanent Food Programme. We're always in need of the following items for our male Service Users:
We've been asked a couple of times for gents combs – that is something new that we've added to the list!
As you read this report, the Baptist Assembly 2010 in Plymouth Pavilions will have started and donations will be given for DCRS. This is indeed a big bonus for us and a full report will be given in the June edition of our Newsletter.
F
OOD PROGRAMME BROCHURES. We've recently updated our brochure to include the funding logo of the
National Lottery. This new brochure can be downloaded directly from our website at: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org/. If you don't have access to a computer just contact Geoff (contact details below) and he will send you a copy so you can photocopy it. It would be useful if you could all forward these new brochures on to the Editors of Church Magazines, or display them on Notice Boards. The brochures are designed to be printed off back-to-back and then folded into three columns. We currently have the brochures in English and Chinese; if anyone can assist us in translating into other languages then we should be ever so grateful!F
OOD TIP OF THE MONTH. Do You Have to Refrigerate Oranges? Question: I usually store oranges in my refrigerator, but is that really necessary?
Answer: You don't have to refrigerate oranges, but you'll be able to enjoy them much longer if you do. As the Florida Department of Citrus points out, oranges don't ripen any further once they've been picked and the refrigerator is the best place for maximimizing their shelf life. At room temperature, oranges usually keep for up to one week – in your fridge, they'll generally stay fresh for up to three weeks. Once you've peeled or cut into an orange you should refrigerate any leftovers right away. Wrap the cut fruit tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and use it within three or four days.
Submitted by Geoffrey N. READ
T
ASTY POTATO & SPRING ONION SALAD. Particularly tasty with fresh new potatoes and lashings of Heinz Salad Cream. This serves six:
Ingredients
•2 tablespoon Heinz Salad Cream
•500g New potatoes
•1.5 tablespoon Natural yoghurt
•3 Spring onions chopped
•1 tablespoon Chopped fresh chives and extra for garnish
Method
1. Boil new potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until tender, drain and cool under cold running water.
2. Meanwhile mix Heinz Salad Cream and natural yoghurt and stir through spring onions and chives.
3. Tip: The dressing is delicious with a barbecued jacket potato as well.
4. Cut the potatoes in half if too large, and mix through the Heinz Salad Cream dressing, season and serve garnished with the extra chives.
Enjoy! For this and other superb recipes please visit:
http://www.mydish.co.uk/recipe/6874/Tasty%20Potato%20and%20Spring%20Onion%20Salad.
Submitted by Geoffrey N. READ
THE DCRS INTERNET SUITE
Written or submitted by Mr. Falah KHOSRO
(except where stated)
Written or submitted by Mr. Falah KHOSRO
(except where stated)
M
ONTHLY REPORT.
All the computers in Internet Suite have been fixed and some new software has recently been installed. We are also trying to buy some headphones for Service Users.
S
UPERVISION. The Internet Suite Coordinator is currently David FEINDUNO who is ably assisted by Falah KHOSRO.
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