MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

GOVERNMENT DROPS EARNED CITIZENSHIP

Issue 25 • December 2010

MRCF 2 Thorpe Close London W10 5XL Tel. 02089644815 Fax 02089681692
www.mrcf.org.uk info@mrcf.org.uk Registered Charity No.1077116
Company Limited by Guarantee No.3673737

No Volunteering Required For Citizenship
MRCF markes victory after Government abolishes Earned Citizenship policy
It is not often that we claim a victory in
persuading governments to overturn their
policies. But this month, MRCF won a victory
with the recent decision by the UK government
to abandon the Earned Citizenship policy that
would have come into force next year.
MRCF identified the proposals to make
migrants volunteer for citizenship applications
as damaging, discriminatory, costly and
impractical. Since 2009, we have run a successful
campaign with our members and partners
against this policy. In June we published a
report, Should Citizenship Be Earned Through
Compulsory Volunteering?, we produced
with our colleagues at the Migrants Rights
Network detailing the experiences of migrant
and refugee volunteers and why they think the
proposal was unfair and unworkable.
We also used our report to educate MPs,
ministers, civil servants, councillors, peers and
the general public about the civic contribution
that migrants and refugees already make as
volunteers in UK society. In a recent statement
the Home Secretary Theresa May went on the
record, stating that “We will not implement
Labour’s policy of earned citizenship, which
was too complicated, bureaucratic and, in the
end, ineffective”.
MRCF, alongside its partners and members,
worked hard to make our case and we are
grateful that the new Coalition government has
decided to abolish such a policy. But there is still
much work to be done to facilitate integration
and to ensure that migrants and refugees are
treated with equal respect in society.
Needless to say, there is no time for celebration
over this policy u-turn on earned citizenship or
the detention of children because despite these
successes our list of concerns grows longer.
The number of people who are experiencing
serious problems in accessing good quality and
2
affordable legal advice is growing. Additionally,
access to justice for the most vulnerable
migrants and refugees is threatened after the
sudden closure this summer of the Refugee and
Migrant Justice as well as the recent changes in
the kind of advice work that is funded.
Detention- in particular the detention of
children and families-has been on the agenda
since the general elections when all three
party leaders committed themselves to ending
the policy in front of thousands of people at
the Citizens UK Assembly. Six months later
and things are progressing very slowly as the
government continues its negotiations with
various stakeholders on the possible alternatives
to detention. This is especially difficult for those
children who are still being held in detention.
Numerous other changes to immigration rules
are being introduced and debated. In addition
to changes in immigration numbers and rules
for language testing for spouses, changes in all
other areas of our society are making it much
harder to work on integration and access to basic
human rights. It is our concern that reduction in
resources for public services will make it even
more difficult to access advice and support for
those who cannot speak English and for those
who are not aware of their rights or how to go
about securing certain fundamental needs.
The language that stigmatises migrants and
refugees is getting worse, easily whipped up
by fears around jobs that are allegedly taken by
migrants.
Despite the challenges mounting, MRCF was
able to celebrate a successful year behind us at
the AGM in September. We hosted the Deputy
Mayor of London, started new trainings, had an
army of amazing volunteers and we re-launched
our website.
Zrinka Bralo, Executive Director

MRCF recognised as leaders in integration by
Deputy Mayor Barnes and Cllr Ahern
Last Friday, MRCF warmly welcomed Deputy
Mayor Richard Barnes from GLA and Cllr. Tim
Ahern from RBKC to show how integration
and mentoring and volunteering work in
practice. MRCF staff gave a tour of the Resource
Centre, explained our many programmes, and
discussed some of the challenges of our work.
MRCF member organisations also met with
our guests and discussed their work with their
respective communities.
The best part of the day was our frank discussion
about why MRCF’s model of working with
communities and volunteers is successful
at facilitating integration. Mentoring and
volunteering really works through one to one
support- one person helping another-because
people begin to feel like they belong and are
part of a community.
Some of the concerns that were raised around
MRCF hosts visit by Deputy Mayor of London and RBKC
3
the room centred on extremely poor quality
English language classes and that community
groups should be recognised for building the
crucial bridges between their communities
and mainstream.
MRCF was proud to show how our Community
Development, Mentoring and Volunteering
programme, Digital Activism course, and
policy work are used to strengthen and
empower migrant and refugee communities.
MRCF volunteers were particularly recognised
as crucial to our work, both to increase
small charities capacity and give volunteers
opportunities to gain experience and
participate in our work.
We would also like to thank Amna Mahmoud
from GLA’s Diversity and Social Policy Team
and Stephen Morgan from RBKC’s Community
Engagement Team for also attending.

On the same day, we received news of a big
victory from our Engage to Change policy work.
After publishing our report, Should Citizenship
Be Earned Through Compulsory Volunteering?,
in May 2010, we worked to influence key policy
makers in order to drop the Earned Citizenship
proposal. Last Friday, Home Secretary Theresa
May announced that, indeed, the policy will
be dropped and that the policy was “too
complicated, bureaucratic and, in the end,
ineffective.”
MRCF Members Attend West
London Citizens Assembly
On November 18th, 2010, MRCF took a massive
delegation of 60 individuals to the West London
Citizens Assembly in Hammersmith Town Hall.
The event celebrated the 5 year anniversary of
West London Citizens (WLC). But more than a
celebration, the WLC assembly was a show of
the collective power of our communities- both
individuals and civil society organisations.
The assembly hosted politicians and other
people who hold power on stage to challenge
and ask for support of WLC campaigns about
London Living Wage, Citizens for Sanctuary,
gambling, road safety, and others.
MRCF digital activists documented the night by
interviewing politicians and audience members
and then posting blogs about the event. Check
out their blogs on the MRCF website.
MRCF AGM - Another year with a
long list of success
On 23rd September MRCF celebrated another
successful year in delivering services and
support for migrants and refugees in London.
Guests and members elected new Board of
Trustees and were presented key achievements
in the last year.
Mentoring and Volunteering Project (3 days
per week) last year engaged 92 volunteers who
between them speak 42 languages and dialects
supported MRCF and our more vulnerable
members by giving their time and expertise
4
to provide training, professional advice and
services and support 75 vulnerable migrants
and refugees through our mentoring scheme.
It is the commitment, skills and knowledge
that our volunteers contribute to our work
and the process of building a more inclusive
society that is priceless. It is impossible to do
justice to the contribution all our volunteers
make but if we were to translate that into a
monetary statement and if the value of each
hour is priced at the London Living Wage of
£7.85 per hour, MRCF volunteers’ contribution
would amount to an impressive £262,880 per
year.
Digital Inclusion Project aims to give refugee
and migrant community leaders the skills to
use the different resources available online to
improve access to services, help their voices
be heard and to facilitate integration with
dignity and respect. 6 week course is delivered
three times per year for 90 community leaders
across London.
Community Empowerment and Capacity
Building Project (3 days per week) provided
141 individual advice sessions of fundraising,
project development, delivery and
evaluation and governance to 32 community
organisations.
Engage to Change Policy and Voice Project
In addition to major policy change we
have achieved by lobbying government
to abandoned Earned Citizenship policy,
we also published reports about our users’
experiences of a number of issues relating to
their integration and brokered relationships
with more than 168 institutions over the past
year. We contributed to negotiations with
UKBA on improvement of the UK protection
system based on recommendations of the
Independent Asylum Commission. MRCF
launched new interactive website where our
members can express their voices in their own
words.
Employment andTraining: Overseas Healthcare
Professionals project provides support
overseas qualified doctors and dentists

preparing for the professional verification
exams in order to be able to work in the UK. It
has been in existence since 2001 and has nearly
3,500 registered doctors and dentists from 98
countries. This work is currently unfunded.
Advice Project (3 days per week) during last
financial year advised 264 individuals on 356
different occasions. 55 of users supported
were disabled and 7 were over the age of 65.
Advice was provided in the following areas:
Immigration (204); Community care (71);
Housing (22); Benefits (21).
MRCF Resource Centre is available for hire
from 09.30 to 22.00, seven days a week to all
MRCOs, as well as other voluntary and statutory
organisations for a variety of community and
training activities from as little as £5.50 per hour.
In the last year we have taken 904 bookings
Migrants and Refugees train to become Digital Citizens
Digital technology has revolutionised the world
in which we live and work. You often hear that
we live in a ‘digital age’ or ‘digital economy’, that
we participate in ‘digital society’. But do you
really know what that means? Are you ready
for the digital age, economy and society?
In June 2010, MRCF launched the first ever
digital access training course for migrant and
refugee community workers, volunteers and
activists. In October and November, we have
delivered a second round of training to 25 new
trainees.
The course aims to train migrant and refugee
Nick with the Digital Activism trainees
5
Guests at MRCF AGM
from our members and other voluntary and
community organisations which amounts
to 2,634 hours of community activities and
17,208 visits to the Centre. This is in addition
to events and training organised by MRCF.
community members in the latest digital tools.
In a world where technology changes the way
we communicate it is vital to keep up to date
with new media and communication trends.
Over a six week training course trainees are
exploring how social media can be used as a
vehicle for self-expression and empowerment.
Looking at emerging trends, from citizen
video-journalism (think the footage of protest
in Burma or Iran!) to campaigning and initiating
community engagement. Over 6 weeks
training MRCF trainees are developing the
skills needed to take advantage of resources
available online to improve access to services,
help users’ voice be heard and understood in
order to facilitate integration. We are concerned
that disadvantaged communities will be left
behind by the digital age, left out of the digital
economy or excluded from the digital society,
so we decided to do something about it.
The first group of trainees also visited the
Guardian newspaper as guests of its Diversity
Ambassador program where we were given
the opportunity to discuss reporting policy
with senior members of the editorial team.

Seizing the opportunity to influence the way
journalists report the issue of immigration
and asylum seekers who have been refused
the right to stay by the home office, one of the
course attendees Penny Keza, convinced the
Guardian that they should drop the use of the
phrase ‘failed asylum seeker’ from its reporting
of immigration issues. Instead, they said that
they would use the more precise and less
emotive phrase ‘refused asylum seeker’ in future
articles. This is a great example of someone
taking action on an issue that affects them and
initiating change to improve the situation.
The new course has changed its timing and it
is delivered in the evenings and weekends to
accommodate those who are working. Another
round of training, the third in the series, will
be delivered in February and March 2011 and if
you are interested in attending please contact
nick@mrcf.org.uk.
Green Paper Proposes Changes
to Legal Aid
On 15 November 2010 Justice Secretary
Kenneth Clarke unveiled a programme of wide-
ranging reform to legal aid and civil litigation
costs as part of new Government plans to
reduce public funding costs. It claims that the
aim of such reform is to support a simpler,
better and more affordable system of justice.
The 224-pages long Document however reveals
shocking level of cuts in public funding for the
provision of legal advice, which simply means
that access to justice at proportionate cost will
be denied to many.
The Paper states that “legal aid will be retained
for asylum cases, for debt and housing matters
where someone’s home is at immediate risk,
and for mental health cases.” Some of the
outrageous propositions however include the
removal of all Legal Help and Controlled Legal
Representation for immigration matters, other
than for persons seeking release from detention
or proceedings before the Special Immigration
Appeal Commission (SIAC).
6
These changes will eliminate the following
from Legal Aid:
1. Grant/variation of leave to remain;
2. Entry clearance applications;
3. European applications;
4. Citizenship and travel documents; and
5. Applications under concessions or
policy outside of the Immigration
Rules.
The Paper states that Legal Help should be
provided in asylum cases, taking into account
“the particular vulnerability of this group” and
the UK obligations under the international law
however it proposes to remove all welfare-
related issues (such as asylum support) from
the scope of legal aid.
While legal aid is considered to be justified in
cases involving challenge to detention under
immigration powers, the claims by detainees
that do not relate directly to their detention or
asylum (for example, claims in relation to the
individual’s immigration application) are not
to be covered. Deportation matters and issues
related to private and family rights (Article 8 of
the Human Rights act 1999 and of the European
Convention of Human Rights (ECHR)) are also
out of scope.
Not only immigration, all areas of law are to
be badly hit, should the proposals go ahead.
Some types of cases will no longer routinely
qualify for legal aid funding, such as private
family law cases, including divorce and child
contact. In criminal law, for example, legal help
will be retained “for those criminal cases where
it is currently available, in order to ensure fair
trials for those accused of more serious criminal
offences can access the representation required
to provide a fair trial”. How about those charged
with less serious offences? And representation
required to ensure their fair trial?…
It’s up to us now to put as much effort into this
as we can. If we don’t, a lot of people will have
no longer have access to legal advice.
The Proposals are open for consultation until
14 February 2011 and a response from MOJ is
due in spring 2011; scope changes are “unlikely
to be implemented before 2012”.

To download the full Green Paper on the
Ministry of Justice website.
Take Action -participate in the consultation…
• By survey- Please respond online by
12:00 noon on 14 February 2011 at:
http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/
p485462495.aspx
• By email- Please send your response to
Annette by 12:00 noon on 14 February
2011 to: legalaidreformmoj@justice.gsi.
gov.uk
• By post- Annette Cowell Legal Aid
Reform Ministry of Justice 102 Petty
France London SW1H 9AJ
MigrationOxford Website
Launched
The University of Oxford, a world-leader in
the study of international migration, whether
forced or voluntary has just launched a
new website called MigrationOxford (www.
migration.ox.ac.uk). It introduces the large
and wide-ranging portfolio of migration
research, as well as teaching programmes,
people, events and publications related to
migration studies at the University of Oxford.
MigrationOxford has been developed by three
collaborating centres in the Social Sciences
Division: the Centre on Migration, Policy and
Society (COMPAS), the International Migration
Institute (IMI), and the Refugee Studies Centre
(RSC).
At www.migration.ox.ac.uk you can find a
downloadable calendar of migration-related
events as well as an introduction to the
University’s portfolio of research into the
causes and effects of migration and links to
the latest publications for policy, practitioner
and academic audiences.
In March 2011, the new Migration Observatory
website will be launched. This is a web-based
initiative to provide user-friendly access to
authoritative and independent analysis of
data on migrants and migration issues in the
UK, set in an international context.
The Observatory’s analysis will involve experts
from a wide range of departments and
research centres at the University of Oxford
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/
7
ICAR Moves to Runnymede Trust
Information Centre About Asylum and Refugees
(ICAR) aims to encourage understanding, public
debate and policy making about asylum and
refugees in the UK, grounded in accurate and
academically sourced information. ICAR’s move
to Runnymede was prompted by financial crisis
last summer that threatened this enormously
useful resource for all working in the field. A
list of ICAR’s latest publications can be found
at http://www.icar.org.uk/9602/about-us/
publications.html.
Migrants marrying UK citizens
must pass English test abroad
Compulsory English language tests are
introduced for migrants applying to come to
the UK to join their partner or marry. From 29th
November 2010 all non-European migrants
will have to demonstrate a basic command of
English that allows them to cope with everyday
life before they are granted a visa. The rules will
apply to spouses, civil partnerships, unmarried
couples, same sex partners and fiancés, and
will be compulsory for people applying from
within the UK, as well as visa applicants from
overseas.
The Home Secretary, Theresa May said, “I
believe being able to speak English should be
a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle
here. The new English requirement for spouses
will help promote integration, remove cultural
barriers and protect public services. It is a
privilege to come to the UK and that is why I am
committed to raising the bar for migrants and
ensuring that those who benefit from being in
Britain contribute to our society. This is only the
first step. We are currently reviewing English
language requirements across the visa system
with a view to tightening the rules further in
the future.”
Anyone wishing to come to the UK as a spouse
will have to demonstrate basic English at A1
level, the same level required for skilled workers
admitted under the Skilled Tier of the Points
Based System. A spouse coming from outside
Europe will need to provide evidence to the
UK Border Agency with their visa application
that they have passed an English language test
 8

with one of the UK Border Agency’s approved test

providers.
Under the current rules, spousal visa applicants
already have to meet a range of criteria before being
allowed to enter the UK. All applicants must show
their marriage or partnership is genuine and that
they can support themselves financially. Whether
you are married in the UK or overseas, the non-UK
partner must apply for a two year settlement visa to
come and live in the UK as a spouse. At the end of the
two years they can apply to the UK Border Agency
for indefinite leave to remain. Spouses applying for MRCF members at West London Citizens Assembly
indefinite leave to remain after completing their
two-year period of temporary residence will still
need to fulfil the Knowledge of Life and Language
in the UK test. This is in addition to this new basic
English language requirement which forms part
of their initial application. For more information,
please check UK Borders agency Visa information
page http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/.
Comic Relief Funding Awarded to
MRCF New Beginings Project
We are very pleased to announce that MRCF have
just received new 3 year funding to run a mentoring
scheme for vulnerable migrants and refugees. The
New Beginnings project draws upon our learning
from previous years in running different forms of
mentoring for people with mental health issues.
It is a fantastic achievement to be recognised
for the work we have invested over the years in
mentoring, and that we have helped to raise the
profile of mentoring with these vulnerable groups
who do not fit neatly into other forms of support
being offered in the community.
The main focus of the project is self advocacy Centre stage at West London Citizens assembly
and users will be provided with opportunities to
become more self aware and thus more confident
in their daily affairs. The project will assist the users
to develop the skills needed to do this through
group activities, one to one mentoring and other
opportunities.
If you know of anyone that might benefit from
being mentored on the project and who is a
migrant/refugee or asylum seeker or if you are
interested in mentoring someone please contact
Nora(Coordinator) Charlene or Martina(Project
Support) on 0208 964 4815/0208 962 3043 or email
nora.hussein@mrcf.org.uk MRCF members Penny and Agnes

MRCF join MJ and LDSG in campaign on detention reform
The last few months have seen mounting pres-
sure by civil society groups on the government
to address lingering questions about immigra-
tion detention reform.
In September 2010, both Medical Justice (MJ)
and London Detainee Support Group (LDSG)
published new reports on detention. MJ’s report
focused on children in immigration detention
and called for an immediate stop of this prac-
tice.
LDSG’s report describes the indefinite detention
of migrants in the UK. The report states that, “Only
one in three people held in immigration deten-
tion for over a year are eventually deported. A full
57% of long-term detainees are released, having
spent years in prison-like detention centres to no
purpose.”
These reports demonstrate that the injustices
of immigration detention are well documented.
Many individuals and organizations have raised
their voices through public letters and petitions
to end detention, including MRCF.
9
The detention of children is unjust, inhumane,
humiliating, unproductive and expensive.
£68,000 of tax payers’ money is spent per year
on detaining one person in a high security de-
tention centre. In December 2009, Nick Clegg
challenged Gordon Brown in an open letter
on the issue of immigration detention of chil-
dren, asking “How on earth can your Govern-
ment justify what is in effect state sponsored
cruelty?” Yet the Coalition government, of
which he is now Deputy Prime Minister, has
failed to stick to its own promise to do away
with the detention of children by this summer
and continues to fail to take action.
Nobody knows how many people there are in
detention. This includes the UK Border Agen-
cy’s own data, which varies between estimates
of 2,800 and 6,600 detainees. The majority are
asylum seekers detained unnecessarily and at
great expense in order to satisfy the adminis-
trative convenience of the state which would
rather deny freedom and humane treatment
than improve its own bureaucratic processes.
We need your voice against the continued
violation of civil liberties in the UK and your
democratic pressure on those who make deci-
sions on our behalf.
To Take Action you can:
1. Write to your MP asking them to
support detention reform
2. Inform others of this campaig
by going to www.mrcf.org.uk
and sharing via email, Facebook
and Twitter
3. Find out more about the injus
tices of immigration detention
‘No Return No Release No Reason’
(www.detainedlives.org)
The Detention Forum
(www.detentionforum.org)
Barbed Wire Britain Network
(www.barbedwirebritain.org)
 10

The words below are a true account by one of the Active for Rights group
members who meet regularly at MRCF and work to build their self-advocacy
skills. The narrative was developed collectively through a process of discussion
and reflection in which all members shared their own experiences and gave
feedback and support.
________________________________________

I am a one –time refused asylum seeker from Kenya
and I have now re-applied for refugee status. I have
been in the UK for almost 5 years now. I was very
sad when a few months ago I was informed by the
Home Office that they were going to move me to a
new house where I would have to share a room with
a woman I did not know.
the outside corridor on…I feel very uncomfortable
and exposed, full of anxiety and cannot sleep…
the woman I share with gets annoyed with me if I
disturb her in the morning so it can be like walking
on egg-shells…there is very little space so I can’t
get away anywhere. My bed is there, hers just over
there…I have been trapped.

I appreciate that I am provided with a place to stay
but we asylum seekers don’t have the right to work
so there is no way we can pay for our own places.
Nobody else is forced by the state into shared room
accommodation, so it seems unfair. I have been
forced to live in the same room as a woman who
is very sick, distressed and who groans all night.
She needs the door to be left open and the light in
I have had to keep all my possessions in three bags
because there is only one wardrobe which we are
supposed to share but not enough room in it for both
our belongings! Anyway I have hoped and prayed
that I would be moved again. I have had no private
space…everything in my life has been in the small
area around my bed. It has been very, very hard but
I knew from some of the self-advocacy training that
 11

I had done at MRCF that I needed to do something in this way and that they would find me a new place
about it. That I had to take action. I worked with my to live.
solicitor and the GP to write letters to the Home Of-
fice to improve the situation because I was getting I am moving to my own room in two weeks. Hope-
very frustrated…it was disheartening. I made sure fully I can unpack my bags when I get there. I might
that I kept copies of everything so that I could back even have my own wardrobe, you never know. My
up my claims and not be ignored. I also thought to faith in God helped me through this difficult time.
myself that ‘if you can’t change something you can So did doing everything I could to make things
change the way you think about it’. change in a positive way by writing letters, keeping
copies and chasing the authorities – I had to voice
I prayed to God for strength and tried to be positive. my rights.
I tried to be friendly and kind to my roommate and
asked her to respect me. Sometimes we would pray I know that other asylum seekers are treated like
together..I wanted to show her that even though this and are being forced to live in shared rooms
we believed in different faiths as asylum seekers we with strangers. We have come here because of what
are in the same boat…its just that we were in a very happened to us back in our countries…we want to
small cabin! work and live a normal life. Should we be expected
to settle for less than the next person? I only ask to
Finally an official from the Home Office came to be treated equally and have the same choices in
view the room and asked me what I wanted them life as anyone else. The only other group of people I
to do. I asked him if they could build a wall across know about who are forced to sleep in a room with
the middle of the room so that I could have some a stranger are criminals in prisons. That is why it
privacy. I don’t think he realised that I was being sar- seems so unfair.
castic because he told me that this wasn’t possible!
But he did agree that it was unfair to make me live We are asylum seekers, we are not criminals.
 12

Staff News
Francesca had a baby!
All the staff and volunteers at MRCF, as well as mentors and men-
tees, are delighted by the news that our colleague, Francesca
Valerio, had a baby boy in September. We wish Francesca, her
husband James and baby Ernesto a very special first Christmas
and happy future together!

Nick joins MRCF as Communications and Training Officer

My name is Nick Micinski and I joined MRCF in August 2010. The
main projects I'm working on are the Digital Activism course, con-
tinuing to develop the MRCF website and coordinating MRCF's
communications strategies. I come to MRCF from past work with
an organisation called Humanity in Action and at UnLtd - The
Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.

I am from the US and moved to the UK in 2008 because my part-

ner, Monica, who was studying for her graduate degree. I have
experience starting organisations having worked with a youth Francesca and new baby Ernesto
NGO that does work with health projects in Uganda and starting
mentoring project with diverse young people at university. Most
recently, I helped found a new organisation called Young Profes-
sionals in Human Rights. I am passionate about issues that affect
migrants and refugees, especially through the lens of minority
rights. I'm also an avid digital activist with my Facebook and Twit-
ter accounts flooded with new campaigns. In my spare time, I like
to cook, take photos, and blog about food. You can see how hun-
gry or well-fed I am on my blog at www.foodographic.com.

If you or your organisations have any computer or online ques-

tions, please contact me or get involved in our Digital Activism
projects.
Nick joins MRCF
Charlene Legg joins MRCF in October
Hello, my name is Charlene. I have recently moved to London
and I am enjoying exploring the city like a tourist! I am very ex-
cited about spending time in London over Christmas with all of
the lights, ice skating and markets. I enjoy going to the theatre,
fashion, reading and I am also a feminist-attending marches,
campaigning and reading and writing about women’s rights. I
will be working at MRCF for one year, having gained a place on
a Graduate Scheme, sponsored by the National Skills Academy. I
am training to be a manager in the social care industry.

I have just completed a degree in Sociology and want to apply

the knowledge I have gained to real life situations. Since joining
MRCF I have been working on the New Beginnings Mentoring
and Mentee project. I have met many lovely people, and I am
very pleased to be a part of this organisation.
Martina and Charlene join the
team
 13

New Volunteers
Martina
My name is Martina and I moved to London from Venice, Italy. I really love London because I`ve always
read about it in my favourite novels and poems and now I live here! I like reading and writing – and
London gives me a lot of inspiration. I like to go to the theatre but also acting. In Italy, I participated in
drama productions and I performed as a street artist. My performances included not only acting but also
traditional African dance. I love arts and craft and I really love cooking and eating!!!

I am currently completing my postgraduate study in postcolonial literature and I am doing my training

at MRCF. I have the opportunity to improve my knowledge and to gain practical experience in the field
of migration. I am very happy to work with Nora on the mentoring projects, and I hope to be useful for
the centre!

Andrea
Hello my name is Andrea. I am taking part at the Migrant and Refugees
Communities Forum as a volunteer. I have completed my undergradu-
ate studies at the University of Padua following a course in Interna-
tional Relations and Human Rights. I like taking photos particularly
snapshots of human faces and the urban environment. I like Street Art
a new concept of art integrating with the urban landscape.

I like learning new languages and I am fascinated by Portuguese, Ethi-

opian and Arabic. Whilst here, I would like to attend an Arabic course,
Spanish course and maybe practice Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art
system. Sometimes I like to put my headphones on, walk and get lost
in one of the crowded street markets in London. A friend of mine who
was a previous intern at MRCF recommended this project to me as a
great way for me to come to London and develop my skills in the field
of migration.
Andrea preparing for Digital
Tom Activism Course
Hi, my name is Tom and I have been involved with MRCF as a volunteer
since July this summer. Passing the building one Thursday, I heard the
Persian disco and before I knew what had happened my feet had car-
ried me up the stairs and I was signing up to volunteer. This has been a
fantastic experience for me both personally and professionally. I have
learnt many things from many different people, from digital activism
to the all important process of booking rooms for community organi-
sations and updating spreadsheets. I have been struck by the kindness,
generosity and can-do attitude of MRCF and the many organisations
and individuals who make up the wider community it supports.

As much as it is easy for me to be cynical about the government’s vi-

sion of the ‘Big Society’, at MRCF I see a version that works in so many
important cases. I hope to continue volunteering with the Active for
Rights group and build upon my experience at MRCF with a Masters
degree in International Law/Human Rights.
Tom editing the Newsletter
 14

James

Hi, I’m James and I’ve just started at MRCF and am working to set up
a new initiative – a fellowship and skills sharing network for migrant
and refugee social entrepreneurs. Focused on developmental sup-
port and active learning, this new programme will assist start-ups
and established social innovators in order to make a sustainable and
meaningful impact in our communities.

Before coming to MRCF (among other things) I was the co-ordinator of

a programme funding refugee social entrepreneurs, conducted poli-
cy-focused research on immigration bail and detention, and worked
for UNHCR in Kenya. I’m currently studying for a Master’s degree in
Migration and Diaspora Studies and am very excited about being at
MRCF, looking forward to sharing ideas and getting to know all of you
in the future. James sets up social entrepeneur
network for MRCF
You can contact me by e-mailing james@mrcf.org.uk

Jeff is back teaching English

Jeff is back and will resume teaching English classes.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning
English, please contact Nora at nora.hussien@mrcf.org.
uk.

Paul left MRCF

In October, Paul Low left MRCF following a very pro-

ductive year as our Administrator. We are sorry to see
Paul go and we wish him all the best in the future. As
we are facing uncertain funding climate over the next
few months administrative duties and room bookings Volunteers, Staff and Mentee share Tom’s
will be shared between Sofia Aman, Charlene Legg Birthday cake
and our brilliant volunteers.

Mentors and Mentees have been busy with visits to the cinema and two trips to the theatre, one to see a
play written about a woman seeking asylum, the other a Forum theatre piece by Cardboard Citizens.
 15

Contact Information
Main Office
Migrant & Refugee Communities Forum
2 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL Overseas Health Professionals
e: www.mrcf.org.uk Sofia Aman
t: 020 8964 4815 e: sofia.aman@mrcf.org.uk
f: 020 8968 1692 t: 020 8962 3044

Policy and Engagement Volunteering and Mentoring

Zrinka Bralo- Executive Director Nora Hussein
e: zrinka.bralo@mrcf.org.uk e: nora.hussein@mrcf.org.uk
t: 020 8962 3046 t: 020 8962 3043

Kristina Hemon Charlene Legg

e: kristina@mrcf.org.uk e: charlene@mrcf.org.uk
t: 020 8962 3045 t: 020 8962 3043

Community Development Communications and Training

Beth Crosland Nick Micinski
e: beth@mrcf.org.uk e: nick@mrcf.org.uk
t: 020 8962 3042 t: 020 8962 3045

Advice and Outreach Resource Centre

Indre Gimziunaite Mahdi Omar- Caretaker
e: indre@mrcf.org.uk e: mahdi@mrcf.org.uk
t: 020 8962 3049 t: 020 8964 4815
m: 07854821088

Volunteering at MRCF
If you are interested in volunteering at MRCF we would be very pleased to talk
with you. We are currently looking for bilingual mentors to support individual
refugees and migrants. We also need volunteers with experience and knowledge
of Marketing, Design, IT, Administration and Project Management.

If you or someone you know is from a refugee or migrant background and would
like support then please get in touch and we can introduce you to our Mentor &
Mentee suport scheme.

For more information, and to apply, please contact Nora Hussein, Volunteering
and Mentoring Coordinator:
e: nora.hussein@mrcf.org.uk
t: 020 8962 3043
 16

Need a Space for Training, Meetings and Events? Book with MRCF!
The Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum is a welcoming organisation, just two minutes from
Ladbroke Grove tube station on the Hammersmith & City line. Tucked under the Westway, MRCF en-
joys quiet premises with a view over Portobello Green. Portobello Road is one minute’s walk away.

The Rooms Booking a Room

MRCF has three rooms available for hire:
• Hall & Kitchen (up to 50 persons)
• Training room (up to 25 persons)
• Study room (up to 10 persons)
They are available 7 days per week from 9.30 am
until 10 pm. All rooms and facilities have weelchair
access.
Room Use
Migrant and Refugee community groups are the
main users of the rooms. Activities include Arabic
and English classes, poetry meetings, study groups,
theatre workshops, lunch club meetings, sewing
clubs and many other activities.
Bookings are necessary and we advise you to
plan in advance as the rooms are well used. For
more information please call 020 8964 4815 or
email sofia.aman@mrcf.org.uk
In order to support new and unfunded migrant
and refugee groups, MRCF will donate up to 5
free bookings for community meetings and
events for these groups. MRCF regrets that it
cannot provide rooms for private parties.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Fo-
rum!

Room Hire
The charges for all rooms are the same, however
different rates apply for different types of organisa-
tions:
Migrant & Community Orgs. £5.50
Voluntary Orgs. £16.50
Statutory Orgs. £33.00

In addition, there is a £10 charge for the use of equip-

ment such as flipcharts, projector, whiteboard etc. Community Group using the Training Room

MRCF is all over the digital world working for the rights
of migrants and refugees!
Follow us on...

www.facebook.com/LondonMRCF @MRCF_London

www.youtube.com/user/londonmrcf www.mrcf.org.uk/blog