General

Betty Makoni to facilitate a workshop at Immigrants in distress(Asylum Seekers) Conference -25 May 2011

I am honoured ro run a workshop on violence against women during this conference

Immigrants in distress – finding hope!

“Immigrants in distress[1]” is an all day conference to look at the concerns around Southend’s asylum seeker population, especially those who have “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF), and other immigrants experiencing poverty. As well as exploring the complex issues affecting these people, we will try to identify good practice and gaps in services and explore some of the ways we can support them. This conference has been initiated by Southend Homeless Action Network (SHAN), who are working closely with several partners, including funders[2], and is for all who have and/or want to deal with these issues from a professional and/or volunteer perspective or who have experienced some of the difficulties first hand.

Date: Wednesday 25 May 2011

Time: 0900 – 1530 (registration from 0900, for a prompt 0930 start)

Venue: The Plaza Centre, 600 Southchurch Road, Southend, SS1 2PT

Parking: Limited free on-site parking and nearby, free side-street parking

Admission: Free (but please book beforehand to secure your place)

Refreshments: Lunch and drinks during breaks will be provided

Provisional Program

0900-0930: Registration and Refreshments

0930-0945: Welcome, introductions, background and housekeeping

0945-1045: Talks – Dave Smith, who facilitates a national NRPF network, and Jonathan Price, who advises on NRPF issues to organisations, including councils, have agreed to speak. Other speakers will include local people with specialist knowledge and former and current asylum seekers who have stories to tell

1045-1105: Refreshment break

1105-1205: Workshops (covering a range of issues e.g. health, legal, housing, domestic violence, young persons, how to survive)

1205-1255: Networking lunch

1255-1355: Workshops (covering a range of issues)

1355-1415: Refreshment break

1415-1530: Plenary session – workshop feedback, have your say, Q&A (ask the panel), a consideration of where do we go next, notices, close

What to do now?

If you wish to attend / participate, please note the date, times and venue in your diary and complete the booking form and return it by 14 May 2011[3] (see overleaf).