DCRS Annual Review 2010

DEVON & CORNWALL REFUGEE SUPPORT
COMPANY LIMITED
A private company limited by guarantee

ANNUAL REVIEW 2010

Address: 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH, Devon.
Telephone: (01752) 265952
Facsimile: 0870 762 6228
Email: dcrsc@btopenworld.com
Website: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org
Registered Company No. 06271122
Registered Charity No. 1130360
OISC Exemption No. N200100427

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DCRS Annual Review 2010

CONTENTS
PAGE
Mission Statement 3
Editorial Comments 3
A Review of 2010 4-5
A Calendar of Events 6-8
Statistics 12
Statistical Analysis 13
Project Support Review: 14 --30
Part 1: Project Support Work 14 - 19
Part 2: A Report on Age-disputed Minors 20 – 21
Part 3: Interpreters 22 – 23
Part 4: A Review of Outreach & Training Coordination 24
Part 5: A Review of Sports & Fitness Coordination 26
Part 6: Behind the Labels – They’re Still Human 28 - 30
The Food Programme 32 - 33
The Clothing Store 34
The Internet Suite 36 - 37
The Reception Desk 38
The Website 39
The Big Lottery 40
A Special Article by Dr. Penelope KEY Download
42
The Founding of the Masiandae Centre 44 - 45 DCRS
Annual Awards 46 - 47 Annual Review 2010:
A Financial Statement 48
 PDF (2.72 MB)
A Financial Review 49
 MS WORD (4.22 MB)
Funders & Logos 51
Acknowledgement 51
Staff, Trustees & Other Volunteers 52 - 53 Go to DCRS homepage
DCRS Contact Details 54

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MISSION STATEMENT

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support aims to build a practical support system
for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (ASR)
and to ensure that they benefit from their legal rights
by using all the available services.

DCRS assists ASR to maintain their dignity and provides them with practical support
in rebuilding their lives.

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support Council (DCRSC) became a Private Company Limited by Guarantee on
st
1 January 2010.

It is now officially known as a Registered Charity under the company name of:

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support Company Limited
(DCRS Co. Ltd.)

a Private Company Limited by Guarantee

The shortened title will be DCRS.

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A REVIEW OF 2010
by
Mrs. Lorna M. SEWELL
Chair of the DCRS Board of Trustees

2010 will be remembered for our successful bid to the Big Lottery… under the Reaching
Communities Project… for the next four years. This has enabled us to increase our staffing level
by four. Two extra Project Support Workers and two Coordinators: one as Sport & Fitness and
the second as Training & Outreach. Obtaining this funding, not only enables us to increase our
support to our Service Users (Asylum Seekers & Refugees) and to do new work, but with this
public funding we have commitments of targets to meet and regular reports to be sent to the
Funder. We have not only dedicated staff but dedicated Trustees and Volunteers who are
prepared to give a great deal of their time to this worthwhile work. Included in the targets of
DCRS is to open for five days a week for Drop-in Sessions instead of the two we have had for a
number of years. This has meant considerable re-organisation with extra volunteers needed and
staff time re-allocated. We had hoped that this might have reduced the stress level with smaller
numbers of Service Users attending each day, but so far this hasn’t happened. The number of ASR still needing support
and advice continues to grow.

During 2010, the Plymouth Office of the national charity Refugee Action and Devon Law Centre closed due to lack of
funding. Both these closures had serious repercussions on DCRS. RA dealt with cases that our staff were not familiar
with, so with some training from RA before they left Plymouth, many more Service Users now rely on DCRS. Now that
there is no immigration advice available locally, this has added problems as our staff are not permitted to give
immigration advice unless they hold a further level of Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) registration.
Whether we can rectify this, is something we shall be pursuing in 2011.

One of our priorities in 2010 and will continue into 2011, is that our extra funding for the Reaching Communities Project
does not cover our original support work and the cost of our premises, etc., and therefore we have and will continue to
seek further funding. In this current economic climate this will unfortunately, become more difficult with all charities
chasing the ever-decreasing funds available. We have been most grateful for the funders and individual donors who
have supported us in 2010, and Funding will continue to be one of the Trustees’ priorities for 2011.

I would like to thank, on behalf of the DCRS Board of Trustees, not only our dedicated Staff but also our Volunteers who
have been involved in our Food Programme, the Clothing Store, the Internet Suite and Reception duties.

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Here are some statistics for the year that speak for themselves:

Visits by ASR 8,000

Interviews 5,000

Food Parcels 1,700

Internet Usage 1,650

Clothing Issues 500

More specific Statistical Data is given later in this Review (on page 12).

Lorna M. SEWELL
Chair
DCRS Board of Trustees

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A CALENDAR OF EVENTS
After the last AGM in June 2010 till the time before the AGM in June 2011

th
Friday, 18 June 2010
Refugee Week. Asylum & Refugee Awareness Training delivered by Pat JOYCE & David FEINDOUNO at Plymouth Guild
of Voluntary Service.
th
Friday, 18 June 2010
Refugee Week. DCRS held an Open Day & Annual General Meeting.

During Refugee Week in June 2010
Refugee Week. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary ASPINALL, and Lady Mayoress, Kate ASPINALL, met personalities from
DCRS who have were seeking asylum from Afghanistan.
th
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Visit to DCRS by Frederick Street Staff.
th th
Monday, 26 July 2010 – Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Placement of Police Officer in Training with DCRS.
nd
Monday, 2 August 2010
DCRS Volunteers Bill BUDGE and Paul RICKARD took three Service Users out to Mount Batten for a day of cliff climbing.
th
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Awareness Training delivered by Pat JOYCE, Irena ONIONS, David FEINDOUNO, & Patrick CHARY at Ernest English House
for BTCV Programme of Volunteer Training.
th
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Visit of Katherine OGLEY, an artist from Falmouth who came to record Asylum Seeker & Refugee members, who shared
their songs of influence from their homelands. Katherine used those recordings on a project in the Lizard to explore the
link between war and refugees, using sound as a background to her exhibit.

September 2010
Two Talks & Presentations to the Plymouth Integrated Probation Team and to a local school by Geoff READ and Christine
REID.

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th
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Trish BAXTER represented DCRS at a Stakeholders Forum with Housing Officers regarding the future of RHSS and future
commissioning of housing support for the Asylum Seeker & Refugee community.
th
Friday, 10 September 2010
Refugee Action facilitated training for DCRS Staff on support issues regarding Section 4 & Appeals.
th
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
John JEBB manned the DCRS Display, representing volunteer opportunities at Marjon Campus.
th
Monday, 25 October 2010
Jane FARLEIGH, Regional Director of the UK Border Agency came to Plymouth.
th
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
DCRS welcomed Paul RIDLEY from the Big Lottery, who came to see how our Project Reaching Communities was progressing.
th
Friday, 29 October 2010
DCRS welcomed Nuwa SERUNJOGI from Refugee Action, Bristol.
st
Monday, 1 November 2010
Joanne HIGSON & David FEINDOUNO facilitated an Awareness Training Taster at the Staff meeting of Plymouth House,
Atheneum Street.
nd
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
“Migration Through Persecution” - Awareness Training regarding Asylum Seeker & Refugee issues. Requested by Tutor
Nicola TYRELL and facilitated by Pat JOYCE, David FEINDOUNO & Patrick CHARY, for approximately 50 University of
Plymouth (Geography Faculty) students.
th
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Bill, Christie, Paul, and Sam from Refugee First and about 20 Service Users were invited by Rosie to the Café at Calstock.
It was a wonderful trip.
th
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Visit of Introduction by new members of the local Diversity Team, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary.
th
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
DCRS Coordinators Ellis RANSOM & Joanne HIGSON, together with Pat JOYCE visited Refugee Support Group (Devon) at
Exeter.
nd
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Christine REID & Geoff READ gave a Talk & Presentation at the Annual Toy Service at Hope Baptist Church, Peverell.

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January 2011
Chrsitine REID gave a presentation about DCRS to the Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre at Derriford Hospital.
th
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Ellis RANSOM, our Sports & Fitness Coordinator, took a group of Service Users onto Dartmoor for an Orienteering /
Walking Taster Session.
th
Tuesay, 11 January 2011
Mr. Oliver COLVILE MP visited the DCRS. Mr. COLVILE is the Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport.
th
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Lorna SEWELL gave a Talk to the Ladies' Probus Club in Plympton.
th
Monday, 24 January 2011
DCRS Sports & Activities Coordinator, Ellis RANSOM held an Open Day for Service Users to sign up for sports and
activities.
th
Friday, 28 January 2011
DCRS Awareness Raising Training held and facilitated by David FEINDOUNO, Jo HIGSON, Ellis RANSOM and Pat JOYCE. 21
individuals, mainly DCRS Volunteers, attended the three-hour session.
th
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
DCRS was visited by a team from the Minster Church of St Andrews, the mother church of Plymouth, headed by The
Reverend Nick MCKINNEL, Rector of St Andrews, accompanied by The Reverend Dr. Steve NICHOLS (Curate), Professor
David HUNTLEY (Churchwarden), and the Reverend John MONEY, (Team Vicar of St Pauls Church, Stonehouse).
th
Friday, 15 April 2011
Mr. Gary STREETER, MP, visits DCRS.

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Visit to the
Photgraph courtesy of Christine REID
Mr. Gary STREETER, MP Lord Mayor’s
visited DCRS Parlour on
on Friday, 15th April 2011 Tuesday 1st
June 2010

Photographs from DCRS at Facebook, courtesy of Ellis RANSOM
DCRS Trip to Dartmoor with Ellis RANSOM
On Tuesday, 8th February 2011

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Photgraph courtesy of Christine REID
A team from the Minster Church of St Andrews
visited DCRS on Wednesday, 13th April 2011.

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Photographs courtesy of Christine Reid

Mr. Oliver COLVILE, MP visited DCRS
Tuesday, 11th January 2011

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STATISTICAL DATA
Compiled by Mr. John JEBB
A DCRS Trustee & Triage Coordinator

2009 2010
Number of Service Users who visited the Centre: 6,933 8,093

Number of Consultations given to Service Users: 4,379 5,106

Number of Service Users aged under 18: 18 546

Number of Service Users aged between 18 – 24 years: 1,178 1,566

Number of Service Users aged between 25 - 34 years: 2.018 1,867

Number of Service Users aged between 35 - 44 years: 761 885

Number of Service Users aged between 45 - 54 years: 140 177

Number of Service Users aged over 55 years: 50 65

Number of Female Service Users who visited the Centre: 15% 558

Percentage of Male Service Users who visited the Centre: 85% 4,582

Number of Food Parcels issued: 1,613 1,721

Number of sessions that the Internet Suite provided: 1,559 1,655

The number of Service Users that used the Clothing Store: 1,520 494

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STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
A Review by Mr. John JEBB
A DCRS Trustee & Triage Coordinator

Preamble. Ages & Gender of SU.  Afghanis, Eritreans, Iranians, Iraqis and Sudanese
Of a total of 8,093 visits to our Centre: account for 65% of the total,
 Chinese, Congolese, Somalis, Sri Lankans and
It should be noted that the data we record  67% were in the age bands 18-34, and Zimbabweans make up the remaining 35%.
does not refer to the total number of  88% were male. These ten groups make up 79% of the total visits to
individual Service Users (SU) we have. This our Centre.
Our SU are overwhelmingly young, single men.
would be difficult to assess; new people
arrive in Plymouth as some leave for a Casework Progress. Languages
variety of reasons. In addition, people 45 languages have been recorded.
Since our additional (Big Lottery) Staff took up post,
reappear after lengthy absences… we were 90% of the issues raised by SU have been progressed or  Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish-Sorani, Pashtu, and Tigrinya make
recently visited by someone who last came resolved. up 69% of the total.
to us seven years ago!  English, French, Mandarin, Somali and Tamil make up
So instead, what follows records the the other 31%.
Signposting & Referrals These ten groups make up 85% of the total.
number of SU Visits to our Centre, An important aspect of our project support work is
whether in person and through telephone / signposting and referral to other agencies and Although, as mentioned at the outset, these
email /post or fax enquiries. This gives a far approximately 1,000 such instances took place in 2010. represent visits to our Centre, and not the total
better picture of the work achieved by
 Health services, numbers of people, they may give some indication of
DCRS than a simple head-count, even if
 solicitors, trends amongst the asylum seeker population, e.g.:
that were possible.  social services the increased level of work with Sri Lankan and
 and the Red Cross Chinese SU
For 2010 the data was inevitably somewhat
complicated by important changes during … featured prominently.
New SU
the year. Put simply, from January to July
Until September 2010, much work was also passed These continue to arrive at quite a steady rate,
2010, DCRS was operating much as in
onto Refugee Action. The Plymouth of that averaging 24 per month from May to December 2010,
previous years, but from August 2010
organisation is now sadly closed and this has led to a with a total of 197.
onwards, the effects of the two new Project
consequential increase in the casework of DCRS.
Support Workers (funded by the Big Lottery New Coordinators
grant) began to be felt.
Nationalities  Training & Outreach and
However, the following summary refers to
Our SU encompassed 59 nationalities, from Afghanistan to  Sports & Fitness
the full calendar year except where
Zimbabwe.
otherwise stated… Data on these activities will start to emerge early in
2011 as the pattern of their work is now becoming
clearer and so easier to classify.

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PROJECT SUPPORT REVIEW
This review is in four parts:

Part 1 Project Support Work A Review by Mrs. Patricia BAXTER
Part 2 Age-disputed Minors An Report by Mrs. Patricia A.M. JOYCE
Part 3 Interpreters An Article by Mrs. Irene ONIONS
Part 4 Outreach & Training Coordination A Review by Ms. Jo HIGSON
Part 5 Sports & Fitness Coordination A Review by Mr. Ellis RANSOM
Part 6 Behind the Labels – They’re All Human! An Article by Ms. Helen LAOLU-BALOGUN

PART 1: PROJECT SUPPORT WORK
A Review by Mrs. Patricia BAXTER
DCRS Lead Project Support Worker

Practical and advisory support to those sanctuary seekers dispersed to Plymouth continued
during the year, owing to the tireless efforts of the Trustees and Donors to make that possible.
With the decreased number of employees down to Trish and Pat JOYCE during the first six
months, the vast number of volunteers who gave their free time during 2010 enabled the
demand of service users to be met, despite the challenges that we encountered.
Our vision and outcomes remained firmly set in our endeavour to assist services users to access
their legal rights whilst processing their claim for protection in the UK. It is for this reason that
we are proud of those who have come to join the team in their various roles and gratefully
record their efforts as genuine demonstration of their heart to serve the vulnerable individuals
that attend our Centre and involve themselves in activities maintained for their well being.
In the early part of 2010 Training Sessions were repeated for volunteers in Awareness of
1
Vulnerability / ASR Issues, and The Asylum Support / Immigration System, which provided valuable assistants from those
2
whose commitment enabled the PSW to effectively offer an efficient service to those who accessed our support. Our
change of name to DCRS emphasises the reality of our SUPPORT to those reliant on our services to help them.

1
ASR = Asylum Seekers & Refugees.
2
PSW = Project Support Workers.

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“SUPPORT” = „bear the weight of…‟
The grant of funds from the Big Lottery financed necessary staff members to take the weight of workload generated by
those who are unable to cope without our help and advice. Augmenting our Advisers to four, with the appointing of
Helen LALOU-BALOGUN and Irena ONIONS, complimented the team with added skills and insight they brought, as
experienced people in the area of refugee issues and cultural diversity. Irena, an Arabic speaker, also enhances the
services by her interpreting skills. She has started to develop a strategy for us to use for maintaining good practice in the
area of communication with those who do not speak English.
3
Since the government cuts affected an already widening gap in provision of ESOL classes to the ASR community, the Big
Lottery Funds enabled the recruitment of two essential staff in roles necessary to provide hope in ever decreasing
services for reducing isolation and despair.

When the funding was granted, our two open sessions for drop-in were increased to four per week and then with the
addition of staff, we finally started to open each weekday for drop-in so that the service users could not only obtain
advice and practical assistance, but use the premises for a safe social venue and access our Internet Suite for continued
contact with others.

The addition of the two Coordinators, one in Sports & Fitness (Ellis RANSOM), and the other in Training & Outreach (Jo
HIGSON), offered our service users the benefit of positive activities to relieve some of the pressure they feel when
everything seems to overburden them with anxiety and depression. Ellis quickly surveyed the views of the service users
and began by implementing sporting activities with the co-operation of Plymouth City Council, Blue Sound and other
agencies gladly offering their support.

Jo soon built on the foundations we have had with local providers and increased the network with other sources which
will be able to bridge the gap in the current lack of ESOL provision in the city. Her life experience enhances the team
with skills and insight that, demonstrated in the area of connecting service users with training and volunteer
opportunities, benefit the community as a whole.

It has been a year of perseverance and development, which I know will bring positive results in the years to come. The
gratitude from service users is always the best recommendation of how affective we are and illustrates how privileged
we remain in what can appear to be a thankless task.

3
ESOL = English for Speakers of Other Languages.

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SUPPORT = “speak in favour of…”
In these days of financial constraint and the cut backs that have decimated other services, the PSW have constantly been
advocating for the rights of the service users. When the first Legal Aid-funded Solicitor’s office closed in Plymouth, it
affected our services adversely but when the last remaining Immigration Advisor ceased to be funded by the Legal
Services Commissioner we felt the detrimental impact it had on our ASR community who were then totally abandoned
in an already negative climate within the Immigration System.

The local One-stop Service at the Plymouth office of Refugee Action had become more and more depleted by cuts that
finally brought the closure of the office and resulted in more demand on our services by the middle of the year. If it
weren’t for the faithful voluntary support of Tom BANNAN, David FEINDOUNO, Berekhet GHIDE, Helen LALOU-BALOGUN,
John SHINNER, Colin STARES and Wiktoria WIEWIADOMSKA and our service users would not have received the full
support they required. Other persons joined us on temporary placements, like Teresa from Italy and students from the
University of Plymouth on International Studies, together with those mentioned in our volunteers list. They all did a
fantastic job of supporting us in various roles and complimented our long-standing volunteers in their gifts and abilities.
We cannot express more how vital and how appreciated all our volunteers are and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to
them all.

Since the expectation of those seekers of sanctuary making claims in the UK is to access good legal advice there arose
much expressed desperation amongst our service users during the last seven months of the year. The passionate outcry
of Staff and Trustees joined with others of like mind, in the city to seek a way forward to resolve the gulf this lack of
4
provision had created. Due to the partnerships we enjoy with other agencies and the swift action of ILPA representative
Rosie BRENNAN, representation was submitted to the Legal Services Commissioner and the Home Office, which has
brought some temporary resolution to this, albeit not in 2010.

4
ILPA = Immigration Law Practitioner‟s Association.

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SUPPORT = “provide the necessities of life for…”
Apart from the on-going provision of our Clothing Store and our Food Programme for the destitute and those in financial
crises, 2010 was a year when the UK Border Agency began to alter the rules of support to the detriment of unsuspecting
service users, unaware of the strict nature of their support contract.

Refused asylum in the UK, a mother with children, whose experience of torture had been disbelieved was asked to make
their way to Heathrow to go back to the country where she would become a victim again. Whilst she remains in the City,
her support is reduced to provide only for her children as a way to influence her to agree to leave the UK voluntarily.

Those already suffering destitution after termination of their support would ask for Section 4 Support provision after
submitting further evidence of their right to protection here in the UK. The processing of these applications takes 15
days under the New Asylum Model (NAM), in order to allow the Caseowner to make a decision on the further
submissions. Naturally the poor claimant remains destitute until a decision refuses Section 4 Support on account that
the decision is negative and thus does not meet the criteria, or the decision on the claim is a grant of leave and thus is
entitled to public funded benefits instead!

The introduction of the AZURE Card in 2010 brought numerous complaints from those who continue to endure a
cashless provision of £35 per week. Although the old Tesco vouchers were scrapped it appeared that some of the 6/7
designated retail outlets were unprepared for the changes and refused the cards in the early days which, naturally
created much cause for feeling humiliated and deprived of dignity as well as leaving them frustrated and hungry.

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SUPPORT = “give practical or emotional help to…”
For those totally destitute in community, we continued to rely on those kind-hearted donors to supply much needed
financial relief to enable service users to access Solicitors in Bristol, or London, as well as travel to Liverpool or Cardiff
where they are obliged to take any fresh representations in person. Those in Section 4 Support continued to be denied
the use of public transport without this source of relief.

As well as the clothes and household goods donated by our supporters, we were given a large quantity of food items
from the City College Plymouth. Geoff and Christine left Hope Baptist Church in December with a carload of toys and
the Nutkins Nursery Group sent wrapped Christmas gifts for children of refugees which were a delight to all. Other
church groups sent gifts for distribution when About Time, who offer ESOL classes and social time, over a hot meal,
provided Christmas dinner again for those who attended their Christmas Day event.

The greatest gift provided by the wider community of support is the open hearted attitude that welcomes the alien and
reduces the isolation that often engulfs new arrivals. The necessity to feel accepted and valued was demonstrated by
those who welcomed visitors to their villages, like Bere Ferrers or Calstock in 2010, as well as those families and
individuals who opened their homes to befriend service users in that way. We were privileged in 2010 to have such
support from those who continue to care in various ways to provide these bare necessities at their own cost.

Recruitment of willing volunteers continued throughout the year with an ever supply of talented and compassionate
people. The activities at the beginning of the year were only able to carry on with the support of Bill BUDGE, Bethany
BUCK, Paul RICKARD, Finbar RICKMAN and Wiktoria WIEWIADOMSKA, who valiantly accompanied services users to a
variety of appointments, activities and social venues.

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SUPPORT – “take an active interest in…”
Since DCRS is well established in the local area and has a reputation of concern for the ASR community, there is a good
network of other professional bodies and groups that take an active interest in the well being of our service users.
During 2010 we increased these partnerships and were grateful to the good practice expressed by others such as:

START (Students & Refugees Together),
Refugees First,
Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council,
PATH (Plymouth Access to Housing),
Mental Health Team (Plymouth),
Devon & Cornwall Police Diversity Unit,
Open Doors International Language School ( ODILS),
City College Plymouth,
Devon Law Centre (now ceased trading)
Fursdon & Knapper Solicitors,

and those Children & Family Services which made the year a successful provision that will go forward into 2011, with
increasing commitment.

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PART 2: A REPORT ON AGE-DISPUTED MINORS
A Report by Mrs. Patricia A.M. JOYCE
DCRS Project Support Worker

In our Annual Review for 2009, I wrote that one of the challenges for our organisation was the
sudden influx of those under the age of 18 who were dispersed to Plymouth as adults because
their age had been disputed by the Home Office and also, for the majority, by a Local Authority
following an age assessment. This challenge continued into 2010.

Over the past two years, approximately 15 - 20 age-disputed asylum seekers… the majority young
men from Afghanistan… have accessed our services for advice. The numbers of those living in
Plymouth dropped considerably by the end of 2010 but we were still seeing around six on a regular basis.

Under the New Asylum Model, introduced in March 2007, age assessments can determine not only the care of an
asylum seeker but also how their claim is processed. The implications for being treated as an adult include:

 fast tracking a claim which might then be decided in as little as two weeks;
 finding it harder to get continuing legal advice;
 being housed with adults; and,
 possibly being detained as an adult and being forcibly removed without safeguards.

In addition, if judged to be over 18, they are not protected and supported as a child and their needs as a child will not be
addressed. This has had devastating consequences for several wrongly aged young people over the years.

The main problem is that many children arrive without identity documents, birth certificates or any form of satisfactory
evidence of their age. This lack of evidence is not surprising, when you consider that almost two fifths of the world’s
children are born without their births being registered and in several cultures birthdays are not acknowledged or
celebrated as they are in the UK. Therefore, many children do not know their age and will thus offer a wrong age when
asked. Some are often forced to give the wrong age to protect agents or traffickers or, they have adopted a different
age to protect themselves from these groups.

Those that fall in the age range of 15 to 18 years are the most difficult group to assess accurately and, without
documental evidence, they have the most difficulties proving how old they are. It is this age range that is most likely to
be disputed by Immigration officials and Local Authorities following an age assessment and it is this age range that
access DCRS for assistance, although we have had one young man who was later assessed as 13-years-old!

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DCRS has come to understand over these last two years that the process experienced by our age-disputed service users
does not always seem to be in accordance with the law, policies and procedures that are in place. The long delays in
arranging and making decisions on reassessments of age has had, in several cases, sever consequences, not only for a
young person’s mental wellbeing but also for their asylum claim. On many occasions we have had to refer the matter to
welfare solicitors in London (there are no legal aided welfare solicitors in Plymouth) to put pressure on the Local
Authority and on the Home Office.

All these young men, whether in detention or in the care of the local authority, have needed, in addition to advice, a lot
of emotional support and guidance from DCRS. The uncertainty of their situations and the poor treatment of two of our
young service users, who are currently in detention, has affected the behaviour of those who remain in Plymouth and
their ability to respond to help, even from our own organisation. We see those that are left as extremely vulnerable
and the uncertainty of their predicament is causing them continued distress.

Editorial Comment: This report is a shortened version of speech given by Pat during the 2011
5 th rd
Awareness Week for YPSS in Plymouth held during the week Monday, 28 March - Sunday, 3 April
2011. Pat’s full report can be seen on the DCRS website at: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org/

5
Young People Seeking Safety.

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PART 3: INTERPRETERS
An Article by Ms. Irene ONIONS

My experiences with DCRS over the last year, first as a volunteer, and more recently as a Project
Support Worker (PSW), have shown me that we need an effective and evolving approach to our use of
interpreters. During this time, the needs of DCRS have shifted, and will of course continue to shift as
events both in Britain and internationally affect the circumstances and options of our service users
(SU). As a multi-lingual person I have been able to deal with Arabic-speaking SU in their language of
preference. However, the number of non-English-speaking SU, and the variety of languages spoken,
means that, useful as it is, multilingualism will never be more than a convenience in the context of asylum casework;
our reliance on interpreters is inevitable. This said, in order to ensure the best results from this practice, it is important
to identify our specific goals when using interpreters.

The first of these goals is obvious, to convey information between PSW and SU. Our first priority is always to provide
practical assistance to SU, and to facilitate their involvement with the asylum system. However, successful interpreting
must go beyond simple literal translations of information. Our SU are all, by the nature of their situation, vulnerable
individuals. This vulnerability is amplified for those with no or insufficient English. Unless interpreting deals effectively
with the difficulty of their position and the cultural divide between SU, PSW and the expectations of the asylum system,
it will be a flawed tool for empowering SU. Therefore it is important to use interpreters who are capable not just of
translating the words used, but of conveying cultural context and significance between speakers of different languages.
The two main effects of achieving this are to communicate intention more effectively, and to allow the SU to present
their needs and experiences in a way that is comprehensible to caseworkers and the asylum system. We know that the
system frequently fails our SU by misunderstanding the cultural or practical significance of their reason for seeking
asylum. Hence sophisticated and effective interpretation is not just icing on the cake, it is an integral part of improving
the service that we offer to our clients. Furthermore, good interpreting practice can serve as an incentive for SU to
improve their English. While this initially may sound counter-intuitive, properly engaging the client with their case and
support-worker gives both a reason and a channel for communication, encouraging further interaction. On the other
hand, weak practice may leave a SU feeling confused, helpless and disconnected from their own case, providing them
with little reason to seek the skills that will enable further engagement.

The interpreting facilities we currently use are, while adequate, not yet sufficiently suited to the task at hand. We are
currently in a situation that forces us to over-rely on English speaking SU to interpret for their peers. There are a
number of difficulties with this. The first is that few of these SU have either experience or training as interpreters. The
difficulties of interpreting are varied, and require a range of skills.

- 22 -


As an example, in order for me to effectively communicate with our Arabic speaking SU, it has been necessary for me to
develop awareness of and ability in a variety of different forms of Arabic. This has only been possible due to the number
and range of SU I deal with. Conveying between languages and cultures the sense and meaning of what someone says
takes skills and awareness that we cannot fairly expect of our SU. This leads on to the second point that the English
language skills and, just as importantly, cultural understanding of Britain of many service users providing this help is
limited. Some of them have not been in Britain for long, while many others, as a product of the relative cultural
exclusion caused by their status as asylum seekers or refugees, do not have a broad insight into British culture. These
factors impair good communication and maintain a cultural and linguistic barrier between DCRS and its SU.
Furthermore, SU still in the asylum process have their own difficulties and anxieties about it, which may hamper calm
and effective communication.

Given finite resources, we cannot significantly increase our use of professional interpreters. However, greater use of
volunteer interpreters outside of our current SU could help to overcome the difficulties outlined above. People living
and working in Britain have a broader linguistic and cultural knowledge of the country, and those with past positive
experiences of the asylum process are able to make it less daunting for current service users. Plymouth presents some
difficulties with this, as it does not have the variety of well-established ethnic minority communities available in many
other cities. However, continuing to improve our community outreach work, and investigating training options for
volunteer interpreters should be considered in order to reduce our reliance on SU in this role, and to maximise their
effectiveness where they are used.

- 23 -


PART 4: A REVIEW OF OUTREACH & TRAINING
COORDINATION
An Article by Ms. Jo HIGSON
DCRS Outreach & Training Coordinator

I joined DCRS as a Staff Member right at the end of 2010 as part of the Big Lottery Reaching
Communities Project. My role is to support the people accessing our services with some of the
issues that affect their ability to access services and settle into our local community. The most
6
pressing of those is accessing English Language (ESOL ) classes but I will also be involved in
helping people access other local services (GP, etc.,) and assist with training, volunteering and
employment opportunities where appropriate. It is essential for wellbeing of our Service Users
that once they are here that they can learn to communicate, access the services, and develop a
support network.

I have come from the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) where I lead on Equalities issues for the region,
and previously I was London-based working with race and gender issues nationally. I have worked as a facilitator, trainer,
mentor and coach, including working with large groups of volunteers in other voluntary bodies. One of the experiences
I enjoyed most was teaching English to refugees in London.

Here at DCRS, I am starting to use my connections and build working relationships with others in the city who are
offering services we can use, and establishing where there are gaps in provision, and how we might best meet those
gaps.

6
English for Speakers of Other Languages.

- 24 -



Geoffrey N. READ and the Gold Star Award!
Tuesday, 8th March 2011
"I work as part of a team (DCRS) so I will accept it on behalf of that team."

- 25 -


A REVIEW OF SPORTS & FITNESS COORDINATION
A Review by Mr. Ellis RANSOM
DCRS Sports & Fitness Training Coordinator

I was in the position of Sports & Fitness Coordinator for the last month of 2010, as part of the Big
Lottery’s Reaching Communities project. My role is to improve our Service Users’ (SU) physical and
mental wellbeing by coordinating and signposting activities. We see many of our SU suffer mentally
and physically because they are so absorbed by their individual cases and by simply surviving in a
foreign environment with little support. It's a privilege to be in this position where I can help to put a
smile on some peoples’ faces and see a real improvement in mental health and overall fitness!

I have Recreation & Leisure and Immigration & Asylum qualifications and have enjoyed working in both environments. I
have great enthusiasm for building this project over the next few years and plan a steady ramp up to the middle of next
2011.

 A fortnightly five-a-side football tournament,
 regular gymnasium and swimming sessions,
 a weekly running club,
 weekly youth sessions,
 monthly orienteering,
 fishing and individually- tailored activities

...are examples of what I believe are achievable by that time.

( Sports icons from
Clk.com, Hope FC,
Eden Project, and
Wikipedia.)

- 26 -


Plymouth Hope FC

Football
&
Family Fun Day
at Brickfields

Saturday,
10th July 2010

- 27 -


BEHIND THE LABELS... THEY’RE STILL HUMAN!
A Review by Msr. Helen LAOLU-BALOGUN

Having been a volunteer in various capacities and a Service User (SU) for about five years, I became a
DCRS Staff Member in late 2010. Whilst the experience of having been through the system and
volunteering over the years both at DCRS and with Refugee Action has come in extremely useful in my
new role, the closure of the Plymouth office of Refugee Action shortly after I resumed as a staff
brought with it additional challenges.

The workload at DCRS has become unprecedented and in line with the DCRS ethos of not turning SU away, we have
certainly become overstretched. Not only this, we now have to deal with the more complicated cases and applications
like the Section-4 Cases which we would normally have referred to Refugee Action. Thankfully, Ms. Agnieszka
ZAMONSKI (formerly the Assistant Manager at Plymouth Refugee Action) made out the time to give us, the new DCRSC
Project Support Workers, one-to-one training on Section-4 and other support issues before the closure of her
organisation; and she was always a telephone call away to answer any queries. This was most helpful at the initial
stages as I was so apprehensive of getting things wrong! I appreciate (maybe just too well) the implications this can
have on the lives of our SU. Surprisingly, even some of the staff at Bristol Asylum Support Team pointed me in right
direction when I became stuck. But as time went by, with practice and training, we are acquiring the necessary skills.

It is such a relief when we get the great news of SU being granted Leave to Remain, and we know that they are at least
safe and can move on with their lives. The aspect of the job that has proved practically impossible to deal with are the
problems encountered by those that are said to be at the end of their claims and have acquired the dreaded three
letters label: Failed Asylum Seekers. This happens when:

 the UKBA says the SU has exhausted all rights to appeal,

 the solicitors say there is nothing more they can do,

 NASS Termination Letters arrive, all support ceases and SU have to leave their accommodation in a matter of days,

 SU say they cannot get any evidence for a fresh claim as family members will get into trouble with the authorities for trying to send
documents,

 some go through the trouble of obtaining evidence from their countries of origin at great risk to family and friends; then this fresh
evidence is turned down as not amounting to fresh claims.

- 28 -


It is so difficult when due to obligation, I have to explain the options of voluntary return to individuals who are in fear of
their lives or horrible human right abuses on return to their countries; and worse still, when destitute SU are told to
come back in six months for a review as they are no longer eligible for the token £10 per week Red Cross Vouchers after
just six weeks.

While some single individuals who cannot return to their countries of origin for various reasons go underground and
find ways of coping with destitution, often barely surviving from day-to-day in the most inhumane conditions,
sometimes ending up at the mercy of friends or others who often take advantage of their situation.

The most vulnerable, mainly families with lone mothers and their children, wait in fear and helplessness for the
inevitable dawn-raids... an experience that leave victims scarred for life. Recently, a very vulnerable SU in this precarious
situation asked what to do when this happens; I told her I honestly did not know. Because inasmuch as I have gone
through this harrowing experience, there is nothing one can do at this particular time, not when surrounded by
numerous officers... most of whom can easily pass for heavy-weight champion wrestlers because of their sheer sizes.
Except for those who are fortunate enough to have competent solicitors which are becoming rarer by the day with the
cuts in legal aid, dedicated supporters and above all, by God’s divine intervention, it could be a foregone conclusion.

Another group are those who end up in limbo. They cannot be removed and are not granted any form of Leave to
Remain. One example of this group are some of our SU from Eritrea whose cases have been refused. They lose all
support and are simply left destitute. Most of these do not bother to go underground as the UK Border Agency (UKBA)
do not bother to remove them. They could not apply for Section-4 Support as they do not sign up for voluntary return
because they dare not to return home. Most are fleeing persecution because of their faith or to avoid mandatory
military service and, for instance, the Eritrean Government is well-known for hunting down and torturing suspected draft
evaders. Another example of those in limbo are those at the Kuwaiti Bidouns (stateless Arabs) whose claims have been
refused. Some have signified their wish to return home; and signed up for assisted voluntary return and in receipt of
Section-4 Support. It is common knowledge that a large portion of the Kuwait Bidouns were born there, but are not
deemed for authorised citizenship under Kuwaiti law. Some are Bidouns simply because their male ancestor failed to
file for citizenship in 1960 when Kuwait achieved independence. Most are not allowed to work or obtain a driver’s
license, nor are they allowed to travel because they lack any travel documents.

Following the Iraqi invasion in 1991 some, who fled the country to take shelter, were not allowed back. The government
issued a series of measures to force and keep them out of the country, and thousands were forced to seek asylum and
7
live in exile in any country that would take them .

7
http://www.demotix.com/news/621816/kuwaiti-bidoons-protest-outside-london-embassy

- 29 -


According to a report by Human Rights Watch in May 2010, the Bidouns frequently cannot obtain essential state-issued
documents such as marriage licenses or birth and death certificates. Refugee International stated further that adults
who have managed to obtain an ID card describe the renewal process as interrogation as they try to prove that your
family roots are from any other countries.

Despite the above, this group of SU are required by the UKBA to obtain travel document from their embassy, but on
approaching the Kuwaiti embassy in London, they told us they are turned away and warned not to return as they are
not regarded as Kuwaitis. In essence, the UKBA has refused to grant them leave to remain and their country has refused
to recognise them as citizens, and as such will not issue them with travel documents... another Catch-22!

For those living in limbo, their lives are simply on hold; no one is sure of how long they will remain in this situation, with
the uncertainties impacting negatively on their mental health and total well-being. For us at DCRC, we can only do our
best to keep our SU going, although at times, the hopelessness of some situations leaves us feeling simply quite
helpless.

It is my dearest hope that all those who encounter and deal with this group of SU would always have it at the back of
their minds that behind the label that says Failed Asylum Seekers, there is an individual person who is somebody’s
father, somebody’s mother, somebody’s brother, somebody’s sister or somebody’s child... they are still human!

- 30 -


- 31 -


THE FOOD PROGRAMME
A Review by Mrs. Christine REID
DCRS Trustee & Food Programme Coordinator

Overview. Members of our Food Team steadily issued food parcels to our destitute
asylum seekers throughout the year 2010. Nearly 1,600 food parcels were issued to
individuals and a small number of families.

Funding. We gratefully received funding from our main funder, the LankellyChase
Foundation, for a further three years.

Expenditure. This meant that we could keep to our Food Expenditure Budget to £640
per month. Together with the donations we received, that figure covered the expenses
of our Food Programme. We still managed to keep within budget whilst giving our
Service Users the same level of support throughout the year. Opportunities also arose during the year to purchase
occasional Nice-to-have items. Our expenditure continued to be closely monitored week-by-week, month-by-month.

Donations. The donations of food and other goodies continued to be delivered to the Centre or collected by Members of
our Food Team. Donations continued to be received from schools, faith groups and other organisations, and individuals,
and we are so very thankful for these as they supplement the very basic diet that we are able provide. Our annual Harvest
Festival Appeal brought in extra items, including a large donation of toiletries and Nice-to-have items from the Notre Dame
School and Widey Court Primary School. We have continued to build on our links with other providers, such as the
Shekinah Mission and About Time. This gives DCRS the opportunity to share surplus food with one another.

Fresh Produce. We were delighted to receive some fresh vegetables and fruit at Harvest time from various groups.
Some of our Volunteers have allotments or gardens, and brought in some fresh fruit and some of their surplus home-
grown vegetables. This gave our Service Users that little bit extra which is always appreciated.

Organisation. We operated a four-day opening for the distribution of the Food Parcels. During 2010 the Centre’s
Drop-in Days were increased from two to four and as time passed the distribution gradually started to even out over the
four days. The food we purchased from the local supermarkets continued to be delivered on Tuesdays.

- 32 -


The Food Team. We have a very hard working team of Volunteers on our Food Programme and some of Service Users also
volunteer. They beaver away in the kitchen dispensing refreshments as well as preparing food parcels. The increase in DCRS
Drop-in Days and the closure of the Plymouth Office of Refugee Action has meant additional demands on the Food Team but
they coped admirably. And do they find it a chore to make endless cups of tea and coffee? The answer is No! It’s all part of
the practical support and hand of friendship that is the Masiandae Centre!

The Devon & Cornwall Food Association (DCFA). In May 2010,
a new charity was formed... DCFA. Its aims are twofold:

 To stop surplus short-date food from going to landfill
which is both costly and a waste of good quality food.
 To help relieve some of the poverty in our community.

Spare Food is Share Food!

DCRS is just one of the dozen or so charitable organisations in
the Plymouth area that will benefit from the services of DCFA.

Thank You! A big thank you to the members of the Food Team for all their hard work and commitment during 2010,
and also to the Trustees for their continued support.

Further Information. Further information regarding our Food Programme can be seen by visiting our website at:
http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org/ You will find our Food Brochures there which you can download and print off required.


- 33 -


THE CLOTHING STORE
A Review by Mr. John JEBB DCRS Trustee & Clothing Store Coordinator

494 Service Users visited the Clothing Store in 2010 resulting in actual issues of
items rather than just browsing. The store is still only open on Mondays and
Wednesdays despite the Centre being open a full five days a week. We may extend
to another day if both demand and volunteer availability allow for this.

We have made considerable progress in matching the demand for items within the
very limited storage space available. In view of this, although we are always most
grateful to all our donors, we would ask if they could provide mainly the items
which are in most need, as mentioned from time to time in our monthly
newsletters and Thank You letters. At present, this includes:

 Curtains,
 Duvet Covers,
 Men’s Belts,
 Men’s Shoes,
 Pillows,
 Towels, and
 Underwear in good condition.

We are also re-assembling some Rough Sleepers’ Kits
and so the following would also be welcome:

 Gloves,
 Scarves, and
 Warm Weatherproof Jackets.

We cannot usually accept electrical goods, but it is always really helpful if prospective donors telephone the Centre if
they have any queries about items they may wish to donate.

- 34 -


Photograph courtesy of Trish Baxter

The Staff of DCRS together with some of our Auxiliary Caseworkers
on an Away Day Trip in 2010

- 35 -


THE INTERNET SUITE
A Review by Mr. Martyn TYRELL
DCRS Volunteer & Internet Suite Coordinator

The increased offering of our DCRS services has meant that over the past year the Internet
Suite has become a more frequently available facility. In the course of the year we have
increased our opening hours from two mornings to five mornings a week. So it has been a year
of much change.
Our Internet Suite opens during the regular Centre drop-in hours. This means that it is
available for three hours a day and is supervised by volunteers each day. We have four desktop
computers offering broadband internet access in the downstairs room of our Centre. As there
can be over twenty people seeking to use the Internet Suite during the opening hours of the
busiest days, we do have times when people are queuing to use a computer. We aim to ensure
everyone gets access in turn by limiting the duration of individual sessions to 30 minutes at
peak times. This system works well and has also created opportunities while people are
waiting for a computer session, to chat with volunteers and play various board games such as
backgammon, or even work on completing a 1,000 piece puzzle! Apart from the busiest moments, often found on
Mondays, our Service Users get access to the computers with little delay and enjoy the chance to check emails, read
news, browse web pages and most popular of all, watch video from their country of origin.
For many of the people who come to our Centre for help, there are significant language barriers in their everyday lives
amongst us. The internet access gives them a chance to reach culture, news and entertainment in their first language.
Some will read web pages in their first language; others will watch news clips or music videos. Email is an important
service that we all rely on… and the internet service enables many people to check their emails and keep in contact with
friends and family that way. Naturally enough, mainstream English news services are limited in their coverage of most
of the world news, so the internet is often the only medium that enables people to find out detailed news of what is
happening in other continents.
During the past year we have introduced the use of headphones with disposable hygienic covers. This has allowed
people to listen to their own music of choice without competing volume levels with their neighbour. Overall this has
been a positive change and the quality of experience listening to music delivered via the headphones is higher than the
previous arrangement of using desktop speakers. The layout of the room has been changing as the potential uses of the
room develop. What was known as the stage-end of the room was developed into the area for the computers during
the course of the year. This step of moving the computers to the end of the room has opened up the large floor area for
other uses. With new plans and funding to increase the number of computers and to refurbish the downstairs room,
2011 should see an even better Internet Suite available for use.

- 36 -


It is thanks to the large number of volunteers that have helped over the course of the year that this service has not only
been able to continue, but to increase to five days a week. Thank you to those of you who have given your gift of time
and effort to help each day. From what I have witnessed in our Internet Suite, this has been making a very big difference
to the lives of the people who rely on and benefit from the internet access at DCRS.

INTERNET USE IN 2010 – A GLOBAL VIEW!

In 2010 over 51 million people in the UK were using internet access.
This is approximately 83% of the population.
How does this compare with some other areas of the world?

The number of people estimated to be using the internet:

 Middle East:
63 million or 30% of the region’s population.
The country with highest percentage of its population using the internet is Bahrain where 88% of people
use the internet.
The lowest is Yemen where just over 1% of people use the internet.

 Africa:
The country with highest percentage of its population using the internet is Tunisia with 34% of people use
the internet.
The lowest is Sierra Leone with just 0.3% of people use the internet.

 Asia:
The country with highest percentage of its population using the internet is South Korea with 81% of people
use the internet.
The lowest is Myanmar (formerly Burma) with just 0.2% of people use the internet.

Source: InternetWorldStats.com; US Census Bureau, International Telecommunications union.

- 37 -


THE RECEPTION DESK
A Review by Mr. John JEBB
DCRS Trustee & Triage Coordinator

This has become a very effective operation thanks to a dedicated team
of volunteers who represent the first point of contact within the Centre. This is
far from a low key role as it frequently involves:

Multi-tasking,
Signing-in new arrivals,
Answering the telephone,
Issuing Clothing Store and Internet Suite tickets,

…often, seemingly, all at the same time!

Thank you to all our Volunteers!

- 38 -


THE DCRS WEBSITE
A Review by Kanda P.
The DCRS Webmaster

It’s been a few years since I was invited to volunteer to produce and run the DCRS website.
I’m really honoured and I’m quite content to work away quietly in the background. As you
may have known I started out as an amateur with somewhat limited know-how in webpage-
making. Thanks to this opportunity I’ve gained so much confidence in the basic tasks. My
love for the technicalities of the web and my belief in what DCRS is trying to achieve for
mankind, and its community, keeps me continuing in this volunteer role. However, as a
completely self-taught webpage-tweaker who only started to learn all the web and graphic
technicalities just a few years ago from a near-zero experience... my work for DCRS isn’t as
smart as those produced by the real professionals!

Friends and Supporters should know that we’re not paying for our DCRS website, indeed, you should also know that
there’s been absolutely no monetary expenses on my part at all! Thanks to cfsites.org, webs.com, photobucket.com,
Scribd.com, MediaFire.com, slideshare.net, and etc., for the free space on the internet!

If anyone has any suggestions or comments regarding our website then do please feel free to inform the DCRS
Newsletter Editor who will pass them on to me.

- 39 -


THE BIG LOTTERY
A Review by Mr. John SHINNER
DCRS Trustee & Project Director

The award of nearly £400,000 from the Big Lottery Fund over a four-year period was an
enormous encouragement to DCRS. There are serious responsibilities that come with it however,
and principally these are regular reporting to them of our progress against a list of targets and
outcomes that DCRS is expected to meet and matching their funding to support the work already
in place before we received the award.

In November 2010, we received a visit from our Big Lottery contact, Mr. Paul RIDLEY, to review
our work over the first six months. He was encouraged by the progress we had made but there
were still a number of questions that needed to be addressed... largely about our part of the
financial commitment. In December 2010 we were able to supply him with the answers he
needed.

In March 2011 we undertook a telephone conference at the nine-month point of our contract. In preparation we had
sent details of the present financial situation and a detailed description of our position against targets and outcomes.
Normally the conference should last between thirty and forty minutes but having read our submissions Paul stated that
we had answered already most of the questions he intended to ask. Our conversation centred on our Sports & Leisure
8
activities because Paul is at his happiest in the great outdoors! He was delighted with Ellis's plans for camping on
Dartmoor, orienteering and family activities at the beach. Paul was also pleased to
9
learn that Irena and Helen were well on the way to achieving their OISC Level-1 status
10
and that Jo HIGSON's plans for language classes and one-to-one sessions were
progressing well.

All-in-all Paul wanted to congratulate DCRS on a unique experience for him in that he
had never received such a comprehensive and positive report from a charitable
organisation such as ours.

8
Ellis RANSOM is our Sports & Activities Coordinator.
9
Irene ONIONS and Helen LALOU-BALOGUN are two of our Project Support Workers.
10
Joanne HIGSON is our Training & Outreach Coordinator.

- 40 -


Volunteers
and Staff
at DCRS:

Left: Bethany
BUCK
preparing a
display for
Awareness
Raising

Photographs courtesy of Trish Baxter

Middle-left : David FEINDUONO, Theresa (Italian Placement from Tell-us), Tom BANNAN;
Middle-right : Helen LALOU-BALOGUN and Irena, happy newly appointed PSWs;

- 41 -


WHY I STILL CARE... AND WORK!
A Special Article by Dr. Penelope KEY,
A Founder DCRS Trustee... and still working!

Many friends and relations tell me it is time that I resigned from my DCRS responsibilities.
I am old and not in good health. I was Chair of the Board of Trustees for a long term and
handed that job over into the capable hands of Lorna SEWELL. She too has been
involved from the beginning. But we both care enough to persist. Because we care!

When I feel I can’t do more, then I see Sam’s smiling face… Sam KALLON… our Founder,
who died so sadly, so young, and so sincere about the plight of the incomers… asylum
seekers, migrants, refugees… whatever you name them. I am proud that we have kept
alive our Masiandae Centre in Plymouth. You can read the numbers of people... our
neighbours... who seek us out and rely on our staff and volunteers to love them and help
them. I remember the first small room where I watched and listened to Sam as he held out his hand to all comers right
through the day. Sam’s grave has a picture of his handshake, symbolising the sort of person he was, and what he wants
all of us to be in his name and through our Centre which he started with his wife and daughter.
th
The Refugee Council reminds us that 2011 is the 60 Anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention,
the international treaty which guarantees the rights of refugees. The Refugee Convention has
saved countless lives and no country has ever withdrawn from it. 2011 also marks 60 years of
the Refugee Council and despite through the lack of funding support, they're determined to
celebrate this anniversary in style!

Refugee protection is part of our national history and is something that the UK should take pride in. We want the British
Government to know that we’re proud to protect refugees. Refugees are people who simply want safety... something
that we all take for granted... and we must always be prepared to welcome them. Countless good people in Devon and
Cornwall have worked through these last years at providing our new neighbours with smiles and handshakes, food and
clothes; even at times a place to sleep.

I want to do more than I have done yet. I am getting old and can’t walk... but I can still smile, shake hands and provide a
listening ear!

Editorial Note: Please see the next article that gives information on the Founding of the Masiandae Centre and a picture of Sam.

- 42 -


Thank you!

- 43 -


THE FOUNDING OF THE MASIANDAE CENTRE
A Special Article by Mr. Geoffrey N. Read
A DCRS Trustee & Newsletter Editor

DCRSC was started by a group of refugees and local community members
in 1999 with the purpose of providing assistance to refugees and asylum
seekers (ASR) in Devon and Cornwall. DCRSC endeavours to ensure that
ASR enjoy the full benefit of their entitlements under UK and
International Law.

It aims to provide a culturally sensitive practical response to the needs of
the refugee community.

Samuel Moinina KALLON founded DCRSC in 1999 together with his wife
Sarah. He named and opened the Masiandae 11 Centre as a safe place for
ASR and black and minority ethnic people to meet in Plymouth. He was
the first Project Coordinator of DCRSC, and as such, he became well
known and loved throughout both the black and white communities in
(Photograph courtesy of Dr. Penelope Key) Plymouth.

Sadly, Sam died on 26th April 2002 aged 39 years but DCRSC is committed in
continuing to run the Masiandae Centre as a memorial to Sam and his devoted work.

The following is an extract taken from the local press at that time:

SAMUEL MOININA KALLON, one of Plymouth's most influential refugee support workers, has died at the age
of 39. Mr. KALLON was the founder of the Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support Council and worked in the
Masiandae Centre based in Wesley Methodist Church.

11
„Masiandae‟ comes from Sam‟s tribal language in Sierra Leone, of which there are many, and means “Let‟s Help One Another”.

- 44 -


Vice-chairman of the Support Council, Mrs. Lorna SEWELL said:
"Samuel KALLON was a person who felt very deeply about the plight of asylum seekers and refugees, as he
was one of them. He was a very gifted man who spoke six languages, as well as being a qualified professional
in his own country. All his friends and colleagues are saddened by his death...

In a book of condolence at the church one of his friends has written in tribute to Mr. KALLON: "Sam, you
were our help and our big brother. You did for me so many things.'

Mr. KALLON had said he found the work in Plymouth rewarding and that he was happy that the community
was growing well.

Picture shows the exterior of the Masiandae Centre (Photograph courtesy of Dr. Penelope Key)

- 45 -


ANNUAL AWARDS
A Review by Mr. John SHINNER
DCRS Trustee & Project Director

The following short report may be an embarrassment to those mentioned, including the Editor of
the DCRS monthly Newsletters and this Annual Review! However, I believe the following is
worth recording.

In the past six years, five of our Staff Members and Volunteers have received major local awards
for the work that they have undertaken in the voluntary sector. DCRS has provided three winners
in successive years of the Sam KALLON Memorial Trophy honouring work with Asylum Seekers
and Refugees in our City.

Isatta KALLON, Sam's wife and one of our Trustees, was the first to receive it followed by Trish
12 13
BAXTER and Helen LALOU-BALOGUN who was a DCRS Volunteer is now a valued Staff
Member. This was followed by David FEINDOUNO’s award of the trophy given to the volunteer
of the year for their contribution to Sports & Leisure.

In addition to being a Founder Member and Company Secretary of the recently incorporated Devon & Cornwall Food
Association, Geoff READ, a DCRS Trustee and Communications Coordinator, was a recipient of one of the Plymouth
Herald and First Devon & Cornwall’s Gold Star Awards in 2010.

Finally, just so that grass doesn't grow under his feet Geoff has set up a charitable support group, the Plymouth
Laryngectomy Club, to help those suffering or who have suffered, from throat cancer!

Congratulations to all! What a remarkable group of Staff and Volunteers with which DCRS is blessed! Gold Star Award

“I work as part of a
team (DCRS) so I’ll
accept it on behalf
of that team."

12
TrIsh is our Lead Project Support Worker.
13
Helen is a Project Support Worker.

- 46 -


Award Winners

Photographs: top row - courtesy of Trish BAXTER, bottom rows - from The Herald

Top: Isatta KALLON, Trish BAXTER,
Helen LALOU-BALOGUN
Bottom: Geoff READ, David FEINDOUNO

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A FINANCIAL STATEMENT14
Compiled by Ms. Svetlana STOUPNIKOV
DCRS Trustee & Treasurer

INCOME £ EXPENDITURE £
Balance brought forward from 2009 35,031 Staff costs 58,048
Big Lottery Fund 56,320 Recruitment 1,435
Migration Impact Fund 6,000 Staff expenses 1,184
General donations received 12,352 Rent rates 8,139
Anonymous donations received 10,000 Utilities 4,110
Hilden Charity Trust 4,500 Office expenses 440
The LankellyChase Foundation 10,000 Equipment & stationery 2,318
Lloyds TSB Foundation for England & Wales 8,000 Food Programme 6,744
Plymouth City Council 10,921 Telephones & fax services 2,571
Plymouth Diocese 1,500 Volunteer Expenses 1,354
Reimbursements & Other Funding 8,758 Training 642
Investment Income 167 Insurance 1,009
th
J Franklin Fund 500 AGM & 10 Anniversary costs 22
Frank Pleske Fund 1,920 Service User Relief 2,961
Repairs & Renewals 1,036
Travel costs for Service Users 6,465
Photocopier rental 1,330
Miscellaneous small programmes 1,503
Postage 725
Health & Safety 1,018
Other expenses 204

TOTAL: 130,938 TOTAL: 103,258
Balance carried Forward: 62,711

14
DCRS Annual Accounts are independently audited in accordance with current Charity Comm ission guidelines. Copies of the complete
accounts are available upon request.

- 48 -


A FINANCIAL REVIEW
A Review by Ms. Svetlana STOUPNIKOV
DCRS Trustee & Treasurer

I am very pleased to present the Financial Review for 2010. The Auditor's Report on the Annual Accounts for 2010 are
contained in a separate document and can be obtained on application to DCRS. However, a Financial Statement is
given on the preceding page. We can report that the finances of the DCRS are sound.

Once again we are extremely grateful to receive grants and donations to support our work. DCRS needs regular
funding in order to operate effectively and I would like to record my personal appreciation to our funders and those
individuals who have given their financial support. A list of or funders for 2010 is shown on the following pages.
Without their generous support we could not have provided the services we have. General donations from faith group;
organisations and individuals were £14,283 2010.

Over the past few years DCRS has had considerable financial support from the Lankelly Chase Foundation to run its
Food Programme. The Food Programme has been running effectively since 2005. I would like to sincerely thank all
those corporate and individual donors who supported and helped DCRS during the year by providing food and monetary
donations to support those service users in need.

In 2010 we received funding from the Big Lottery Fund and from a new project ‘Community Engagement Project’ to
expand our activity and provide more effective and comprehensive service for asylum seekers. The grant allowed us to
employ four new members of staff... two Project Support Workers, a Training & Outreach Coordinator, and a Sport &
Outreach Coordinator.

Our finances are divided into two basic business functions, Restricted Funding and Unrestricted Funding; which means
that some funds arrive with conditions imposed upon their use (restricted) and some without set conditions
(unrestricted).

Our total income in 2010 amounted to £130.938 compared to £71,438 in 2009. Our total expenditure in 2010 was
£103,258 compared with £82,907 2009.

- 49 -


Our receipts from funding are divided into two broad headings:

 Restricted Funds are funds meant for specific projects or activities which are declared by the donors.
The total Restricted Funds in 2010 were £89,191.

 Unrestricted Funds are donations that are available for DCRS to use towards any purpose.
The total Unrestricted Funds in 2010 were £41,747.

During 2010 DCRS received income from grants towards the costs of certain activities. DCRS also relied on voluntary
income to fund our work and to enable investment in the maintenance of our current work and the development of
new initiatives and activities. As a result, we believe that DCRS is in control of its spending, ensures priorities are
addressed, takes advantage of opportunities to improve services as they present themselves, and strives to improve
services for our service users.

As a result of the efforts of the DCRS Staff and its Board of Trustees, DCRS is convinced that it is well-placed to continue
to meet the opportunities and challenges that the future undoubtedly holds.

Numerous funding applications have been submitted for 2011 and DCRS has already been successful with the J. Paul
Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust (a grant for three years). DCRS is optimistic in its hope to reach relative financial stability.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous generosity of all our staff members, supporters and volunteers as
well as the outstanding efforts of our Trustees who have been involved in our fundraising efforts, either directly or
indirectly. Thank you all!

- 50 -


FUNDERS
DCRS is currently funded by ….

J. Franklin Frank Pleske
Trust Fund

… and Voluntary Donations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Our grateful thanks to :

ROUTEWAYS THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESE
(http://www.routeways.org.uk/) (http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/)

for their assistance in reproducing copies of this review.

- 51 -


STAFF, TRUSTEES & OTHER VOLUNTEERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES15

Mrs. Lorna M. SEWELL Mr. Arnold MELHUISH
Chair Vice-Chair & Secretary

Miss. Elizabeth A. HARDINGE, MBE Mrs. Isatta (Sarah) KALLON
Personnel Coordinator (Staff & Volunteers) Trustee

Dr. Penelope KEY, OBE, MSc, MBBS Ms. Svetlana STOUPNIKOV
Fundraising Sub-committee Coordinator Treasurer

Mr. John JEBB Mr. Geoffrey N. READ, MCIM
Triage Coordinator & Clothing Store Newsletter Editor & Annual Review Editor
Coordinator
Mrs. Christine REID Mr. John SHINNER
Food Programme Coordinator Project Director & Assistant Treasurer

Mr. Colin G. STARES Ms. Lucy BECKWITH
Auxiliary Project Support Worker & Fundraiser Co-opted Member to the Board

15
All Trustees are Volunteers.

- 52 -


STAFF16

Mrs. Patricia BAXTER Mrs. Patricia A.M. JOYCE
Lead Project Support Worker Administrator & Finance Officer
(until July 2010) & Project Support Worker
Ms. Sophie JOYCE Mrs. Helen LALOU-BALOGUN
Assistant Administrator (until March 2010) Project Support Worker
(since August 2010)
Mr. Ellis RANSOM Ms. Joanne (Jo) HIGSON
Sports & Activities Coordinator (since Training & Outreach Coordinator
November 2010) (since December 2010)
Ms. Irene ONIONS Mr. Robert NEWELL
Project Support Worker (since August 2010) Administrator & Finance Officer
(since July 2010)

VOLUNTEERS WITH DESIGNATED RESPONSIBILITIES

Mrs. Aferdital ALIMADHI Mr. William (Bill) BUDGE
Assistant Food Programme Coordinator Activities Group Coordinator
(until November 2010)
Mr. David FEINDOUNO Mr. Martyn TYRELL
Auxiliary Caseworker Internet Suite Supervisor

Mrs. Kanda PHATIPATANAWONG
Webmaster

16
All Staff are paid, part-time.

- 53 -


DCRS CONTACT DETAILS

Address: 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH, Devon
Telephone: (01752) 265952
Facsimile: 0870 762 6228
Email: dcrsc@btopenworld.com
Website: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org
Registered Company No. 06271122
Registered Charity No. 1130360
OISC Exemption No. N200100427

- 54 -

DCRS Annual Review 2010

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