27 November 2006
For immediate release
The North of England Refugee Service (NERS) is the first asylum and refugee organisation in the country to be awarded the “Investing in Volunteers” (IiV) quality standard by national volunteering development agency Volunteering England.
Over 50 people volunteer for the North East-based charity in a variety of roles. These include community integration, interpreting, youth integration, mentoring, reception, administration and housing support. NERS involves people from various cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds and includes local people as well as asylum seekers and refugees.
NERS was awarded the IiV quality standard for meeting a set of stringent criteria, and was recognised in particular for its work in engaging a diverse local community, as well as committing to take on all volunteers who offer their services regardless of the length of time they can stay.
Gina Aylward, manager of Investing in Volunteers, said: “The work that NERS and its volunteers carry out in their communities in the North East is clearly invaluable and they truly deserve to be awarded the IiV quality mark. I hope that this award will further the volunteers’ sense of pride in their organisation and provide an example to refugee and asylum groups throughout the country.”
The achievements of NERS include:
- NERS has a policy of never turning down a volunteer – unless there was a breach of rules, regulations, laws etc.
- Celebrations take place during Refugee Week – NERS recognizes that volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation and strives to make volunteers feel valued and supported
- Training is provided to volunteers and staff on CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks to help take the fear out of the process
Daoud Zaaroura, chief executive of NERS, said:
“Volunteering is an essential part of our strategy to enable and facilitate the smooth integration of refugees into the United Kingdom society. Volunteering is part of the Refugees integration route into their new social context. It is not only an invaluable input into the services of NERS, but it is also a way of bringing indigenous population to work with our new citizens. The organisation relies on volunteering to create that social interaction and a process of introduction to our culture and social environment.”
Case study:
Sithobekile Sikhuphuki, 36
I have always wanted to do or give some thing back to the community, which I have always done in my own country. However, being in different country and being a person under immigration control I thought that my work was completely restricted, until I received help from the North of England Refugee Service and found that I could take voluntary work.
I suffer from depression and anxiety and loss of self esteem because of what I have been through. Volunteering has revived me after a long time of having nothing to do. It is an eye-opener for me now I have something to look forward to knowing that I have a volunteering job to do. I feel I am getting myself back. I have been involved in cultural awareness, which gave me the chance to relate the problems that made me leave my country, and my experience in England. I found that getting it off my chest was relief for me, and I gained the confidence to talk to a crowd.
To those who may be considering volunteering I would say it is the best way to say thank you to the community. Get involved, go and volunteer, meet new friends. It will make a big difference to your life.
- end -
Notes to Editors:
- For more information and to arrange interviews, call Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932; email cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org. During out of office hours, please call Sonya Roberts on: 07952 128057
- Potential volunteers should contact Roger Mundangepfupfu on 0191 245 7311 or visit www.refugee.org.uk
- The indicators against which the organisation was judged include commitment to and recognition of volunteers, reflecting the diversity of the local community and ongoing support. For a full list of all ten, please contact Cat Dean.
- Two further case studies are also available – please contact Cat Dean for information
Volunteering England’s aims are to increase the quality, quantity, contribution and accessibility of volunteering throughout England; secure and support an England-wide network of quality volunteer development agencies, promoting and enabling volunteering and community involvement; undertake research, policy and development activity; and provide grants, support and advice to sustain and develop volunteering. It understands the term volunteering to include formal activity undertaken through public, private and voluntary organisations as well as informal community participation.
