Newsletter
October November and
December 2013
Issue 26
Integration Support Services quarterly newsletter
Supporting the successful integration of all migrants,
refugees, BME community members and groups in Essex and
A Collaboration between ISS and other UK and France partners will promote and encourage the inclusion of migrants and other BME communities in
some of the most deprived areas of both countries. Pictured above ISS Staff
and Volunteers with our partners in Amiens (see more on page 3 )inside...
Inside:
Immigration Updates page 2: ISS Annual General Meeting page 4
Our Summer Events page 5, Details of further events to look forward
to in the coming months and much more...
Registered Charity No: 1120609 Company Limited by Guarantee No: 06308078
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 2
Immigration Changes
The changes, which come into effect on the 1st October 2013 include:
Expanding checks to ensure applicants for work and student visas are genuine, and that they intend to meet the
conditions of leave they apply for.
Introducing powers to refuse Tier 4 extension applications where the applicant cannot speak English
Introducing a scheme which allows some locally engaged staff in Afghanistan to relocate to the UK and enabling
those who demonstrate exceptional promise in the arts to apply under Tier 1.
Changes to the settlement applications for refugees who have committed crimes, and adding the power to curtail
leave for persistent or serious offenders.
Applications for settlement from refugees will be refused for 15 years from the date of their sentence if they have
been sentenced to over 12 months’ imprisonment; for 7 years if they have been sentenced to up to 12 months’
imprisonment; and for 2 years if they have been given a non-custodial sentence. Discretion to delay the route to
settlement will apply in the case of repeat offenders.
From the 28th October there will also
be changes to the way applicants for
indefinite leave to remain are required
to demonstrate their knowledge of the
English language and of life in the UK.
“Knowledge of language and life in the
UK for settlement and naturalisation”
published on 8th of April.
If you are applying after this then you
need to be able to demonstrate a good
standard of English language (The
requirement will be to have a
speaking and listening qualifications
in English at B1 CEFR or higher, or
its equivalent) as well as pass the Life
in the UK test.
We are here to help!
If you have any
questions or concerns
about anything in this
newsletter please do give
us a call on:
01279 639442
or
Email: [email protected]
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 3
Continued from page 1
Action to Generate Inclusion for Residents of a Migrant Background)
A successful cross border collaboration between Integration Support Services,
Medway Council, Kent County Council, AMIENS Metropole, Les Deux
Rives, Association Franco-Marocaine has been approved by the European
Commission and will provide a wide range of projects and activities to improve the integration and social inclusion of migrants and BME communities
in some of the most deprived areas of the partner organisations.
The Interreg IV A ‘2 Seas’ AIMER project has created strong cross border
links in relation to the initial process of integration of migrants and ethnic minority residents. AGIR aims to provide the next step for migrant residents,
from ‘integration’ to ‘inclusion’ and will broaden its application to the Channel
zone, initially through a pilot programme of cross-border co-operation between
Kent Medway, West Essex and the Picardie region centred on Amiens. AGIR
also aims to maximise
cross-border partnership
working and good practice exchange.
Previous
partnership
working with local and
cross-border partners has
created a greater mutual
understanding of the type
of action now needed to support migrant inclusion and inroads have
been made in understanding migrant communities and identifying their
needs. AGIR will follow on from those interventions that have laid the
foundations for the inclusion agenda. The project will also strengthen
minority and migrant organisations in partner areas on both sides of the Channel by enabling them to share good practice on
engagement, communication and the delivery of cultural activities.
The main beneficiaries of AGIR will be ethnic minority and migrant residents living in the most socially deprived areas of
Kent, West Essex, Medway and Amiens in France.
The main objectives of project AGIR are to:

Improve migrant employability by strengthening their take-up of adult learning and vocational training.

Improve access to housing, health services, children
centres.

Create an active cross-border network of mutual support and joint outreach delivery between migrant and
ethnic minority community organisations in order to
strengthen further their representative role.

Promote inclusion.

Ensure good cross border communication links across
all levels

Develop joint responses to migration issues and to facilitate the involvement of the voluntary sector in
boosting the equitable delivery of and fair access to
local services.
Photos show ISS staff at the IGIR launch in France recently
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Page 4
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 5
Volunteering with ISS
My name is Carol, I’m English, and I volunteer for ISS at the Limes Farm
Community Centre in Chigwell. I first came into contact with ISS when they
had a stand at an event in Epping. I will be mainly working with people who
are learning the English language.
I grew up in Chigwell, but lived and worked in central London . I worked as
a secretary. When my mother became ill, I stopped working and moved back
to Chigwell to look after her. Sadly she died a few years ago, but I’m still
here!
Carol helping one of the parents with Eng-
Living in Chigwell , I wanted activities to get involved with. I do adult educa- lish writing at The Limes Farm Centre
tion classes with the WEA. I joined the Rotary Club of Chigwell. I drive
someone to the local Stroke Club and host a tea party for Contact the Elderly a
couple of times a year. It sounds hard work, but the people are great fun and we have a lot of laughs. As my hobby is baking, it’s great to have an opportunity to share my baking with other people.
My mother’s parents were born in Sweden . I'm interested in the Swedish side of my family and am busy researching the
family history. My great-grandmother came from Gotland in the Baltic Sea and I have discovered that I have roots in
Germany, Poland, Latvia, Finland and Denmark!
I’ve always enjoyed travelling and meeting people. When I was young in the 1970’s I travelled around Europe and Scandinavia hitch-hiking and staying in Youth Hostels. It was normal in those days and a great way to travel and meet other young
people.
When I was 17, I spent a summer in Stockholm in Sweden in my great-aunt’s flat. I saw a flyer for free Swedish language
classes for immigrants and signed up. We were a mixed bunch, including Japanese, Israeli, Russian, Canadian and Indian. Hans was a wonderfully enthusiastic teacher.
Then when I was 23 in 1975 , I spent three months in Linköping in Sweden . I joined the more advanced level of Swedish
language classes for immigrants. This time my best friends were from Greece and Iran . After our evening session, my
teacher, Gunilla, and I would go to the student pub for a couple of beers and I’m proud to say that we are still great friends
38 years later.
In 1991 (aged 39) my father had died and I wanted a change so I became a mature student at the Polytechnic of North London (later University) - a four year course in Contemporary European Studies, which included studying German. (I had
learnt French at school). The third year was spent in Heidelberg , Germany . My German was basic, but I joined an international club and this time my friends were from Brazil , Iran , Afghanistan , Poland and Germany . I’m still friends with
some of them and we visit each other as often as we can.
To live in a foreign country, not really understanding the language was a challenge. I’m quite shy, especially when I don’t
understand what I’m talking about! A lot of situations were
stressful for me. But I couldn’t hide at home, so I joined the
local library and forced myself to go out. Some situations
were embarrassing but most of the time people were patient
with my stumbling sentences. So I appreciate how difficult it
is living in a country where the language, culture and customs
are strange to you.
If you are interested in joining us as a
volunteer please do call us on 01279 639442
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 6
Left: Saturday activities at Lime’s Farm in Chigwell. Priu (ISS volunteer) and Lia (ISS Staff )
supporting children in activities
Right: Snack time! Children at Lime’s
Farm enjoying a bite.
Left: Another bright summer day. A mother and
children enjoy an ISS trip to Southend-on-Sea
beach.
Right: Children marvel at the site of one
of the most prestigious universities in the
world Cambridge university. Also below
right we see ISS staff, volunteers and
service users take a walk in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens.
Above: Children enjoying ice cream in Hyde Park
as the London Metropolitan Police look on.
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 7
‘Harvest Home’
In Britain, thanks have been given for successful harvests since pagan times. Harvest festival is traditionally held on the Sunday near or of the Harvest Moon. This is the full Moon
that occurs closest to the autumn equinox (about Sept. 23). In two years out of three, the
Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October.
In Little Parndon St Paul’s in Harlow town centre and St Mary’s Little Parndon decided to
celebrate the event and being a strong multicultural parish the food enjoyed is usually foods
from around the world. This year Bobby a church family member from India, who is also a volunteer for ISS, suggested
to the church that they might like to consider a Harvest Home with traditional British foods.
The ladies from the church pulled their talents together
and a festive treat was enjoyed by all. As well as church
family members Marlene Brooks, trustee of ISS and Joanna Hewelt, ISS staff member and their families and
friends also enjoyed the occasion. Revd Sue Knight,
Vicar to both churches closed the meal by inviting all to
sing, pray and give thanks for a plentiful harvest and a
great evening together.
(Photo above shows, chicken and mushroom pie,
Joanna Hewelt
stuffed marrow, bacon and onion suet pudding.)
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Marlene Brooks
Email: [email protected]
Bobby Binesh
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 8
Can you be a Trustee for ISS?
Rewarding Voluntary Position Expenses paid
As part of our expansion across Essex and Hertfordshire we are looking to appoint
new trustees to our board who will bring us their skills in one or more of the following areas:
Public relations, marketing, fundraising, and
advocacy. You would attend at least one
Management Committee Meetings per
month lasting around two hours. Then one
AGM, and one Away Day. For further information, or to apply please email: [email protected]. Alternatively you can find
out more about us on www.iss.org.uk or
simple give us a call on 01279 639442
ISS Interpreting and
Translation Services is only
£15/hour for interpreting
All our interpreting and translation is provided by our
community volunteers with genuine commitments and
an interest to help their own community members to
integrate and succeed in their lives.
They are not just interpreters but advocates and good
friends who have gone through similar experiences and
know the power of language and communication and
how it effects our integration and participation in our
communities.
Help us to help others by
purchasing this service at
an excellent value! Give us
a call on 01279 639442 for
a booking or for more details visit our website on:
www.iss.org.uk/services
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Page 9
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 10
What Is The True Meaning Of
Christmas?
By Wellington Kapswara
“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.” Here we go
again. It's that time of the year. Christmas time. December is
coming with all the joys of the festive season. The euphoria
that grips the nation as soon as the first Christmas advert pops
up on television is unbelievable. It is a time when we lose
ourselves in the magic that is Christmas. We buy items we
may or may not need but want, cook meals we will be eating
well into the new year and
adorn our homes with
beautiful lighting and other
decorations. Children look
forward to gifts from Santa
whilst adults look forward
to Christmas parties at
work, homes and in clubs
and pubs up and down the
land.
A Harlow house brightly lit
Run’ * who last year completed a very successful and a very
rewarding 10 days in providing accommodation and support
to the homeless. They looked after over 20 people, the majority of them staying open the full 10 days at the Haven in Harlow. The Samaritans also offer many services to those who
are lonely, depressed or homeless as do Crisis for Christmas
who will re-open their doors for Christmas on the 23rd December in many cities in England offering all sorts of help in
many different ways. One of our Trustees Marlene Brooks
remembers one Christmas where she helped at a homeless
shelter along with a recently widowed friend and both found
the experience very fulfilling and rewarding. In return her
widowed friend forgot her loneliness as she and her fellow
workers rolled up their sleeves and got to work helping with
meals and other care needs of the homeless.
For some non Christian immigrants their perception of
Christmas is that it is a British culture. Hence they celebrate it
in an effort to integrate. Some are interested in the commercial rituals, that is, the shopping, dinners, gifts and lights.
Since the ethos of Christmas is sharing, some readily embrace
the celebration as a way of breaking barriers. In other words,
when neighbours exchange Christmas cards it is a way of
acknowledging their relationship.
Britain has become culturally diverse
with many different religions. Thus, in
the wake of tolerance and acceptance
people have grown to acknowledge different cultural festivities. It is a common
scenario to see people joining Muslim
communities for meals during Ramadan.
Some of the Muslim communities share
their food with the public after a day of
fasting. At the same time, fireworks marvel people during the Diwali month. As
such, people from different cultures acknowledge Christmas
as a sign of mutual respect. Some Non-Christian immigrants
feel comfortable with celebrating Christmas as they feel that
they are acknowledging it without embracing its Christian
beliefs.
However, what is the true
meaning of Christmas? Is it
the roast turkey dinner with
family and friends? Is it the
decorations, lights in the
window, cards in the mailbox or gifts under the tree?
Is the spirit of Christmas
that great feeling we have for one another during the festive
period? Even some enemies put their differences aside and
shake hands in the true spirit of Christmas. In Trafalgar
Square a Christmas tree is donated to the people of London
each year since 1947 by the city of Oslo Norway to thank
them for their support during the second World War.
For instance, the majority of
schools are Christian based. Chil“Christmas" is a compound word originating from the term
dren may be involved in the Na"Christs' Mass". It is the annual Christian festival celebrating tivity story and Christmas parties.
the birth of Jesus Christ, held on 25th of December in the
This offers the non-Christian parWestern Church. For Christians everwhere it is a time to
ents the opportunity to learn of
thank God for sending His Son, Jesus to the world. It is a
the Christian faith through their
time for joy as God shows his great love for us all. Thus, we child.
should share this love, heal and forgive.
Regardless of whether one celebrates for religious reasons or
However, for some people this is a sorrowful time as it is a not, Christmas has an energetic spirit that grips many people
stark reminder of all the things they do not have. Many are so and gets them in a joyous mood during the festive period.
far away from home as they think of their loved ones who are
* If you are homeless, lonely in need or simply want to help,
thousands of miles away. It is also the time of year when we for more details about Harlow’s Chocolate Run please look at
see the best in humanity as the homeless are fed and housed their website: http://www.chocolaterun.org.uk/ or contact our
through the help of various charities such as the ‘Chocolate office to ask for help to do it for you (details below).
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 11
Quarterly Multi Cultural Calendar 2013
Month
Calendar event
Faith (if applicable)
5th to 13th October
Sharad Navrati
Hindu
15th to 18th October
Eid-ul-Adha
Islam
3rd November
Diwali
Hindu
4th November
Islamic New year
11th November
Armistice Day
Secular
27th November to
5th December
Hannukah
Jewish
25th/26th December and 1st January 2014
Christmas Day/Boxing Day/New Year
Bank Holiday
Editorial Note: If you can see any festivals missing please accept our apologies and let us know so we can add it next year.
New Year in the UK – traditions explained
New Year is celebrated throughout England with great enthusiasm, and it's a time of
year when the British really make a point about following traditions. London is a great
place to ring in the New Year, lit up with fireworks, light shows, and plenty of local
events. Most New Year's parties take place at a pub or a local club, but many British
people also entertain at home with buffet-style dinners and a few toasts. Usually
wherever one chooses to celebrate Big Ben in London is on a TV or radio so that everyone celebrates together at the exact time. As the last seconds of the old year are
counted down the crowd or gathering count the seconds down and on the last ring of
Big Ben there are shouts of joy and embraces and traditionally Robbie Burns song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung while linking arms with each other.
New Year’s Day is usually the time for what is known as First Footing. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages,
and suggests that the first person over the threshold on New Year's Day will bring good luck to the home. The ‘first footer’ should bring a small gift, traditionally bread or wine, for the head of the household. The day is a Bank Holiday in
England and a time for making New Year Resolutions which is a list of aims and achievements to strive for during the
coming year.
In Scotland New Year is called Hogmanay and it is an annual Scottish tradition which
involves a lot of traditional Scottish dancing, music, singing of Scottish songs, drinking
and toasting. Traditionally the men wear a kilt rather than trousers and a sporran. The
sporran is a ‘purse’ which hangs from the waist.
In Wales there is also an additional tradition of opening the back door at the first stroke
of midnight. This 'releases' the old year and any bad luck from the year gone by, to let the New Year in. The front door is
then opened at the last stroke of midnight to encourage good luck.
In Ireland the most important tradition throughout their culture is on New Year’s Day night when laying the table for the
evening meal a place is prepared for any family members or dear ones who have died in the past year in order to honour
them in this special way.
In the UK traditionally it is thought that sweeping or cleaning on New Year's Day could 'sweep' away your good luck
and good fortune for the year ahead so far better to relax for the day.
Marlene Brooks
Please note our office will be closed during Christmas from 24th of
December at 1pm until Thursday 2nd of January.
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk
ISS Newsletter October November December 2013 Issue 26
Page 12
SCHEDULE October November December 2013
More details at: www.iss.org.uk
ACTIVITY
VENUE
Day/Time
Outreach/Support
Consultation and advice
(Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford)
Suitable venue can be arMonday to Saturday
ranged prior to the appoint- by appointment, please
ment to suit your needs.
Ring our office or 07775
955982
Saturday activities for families with
Children
(Harlow)
The Tree House Children’s
Centre
Staple Tye
Harlow
CM18 7NG
Every Saturday
10.00am –1.00pm
Translation and interpreting service
(please note that this is a chargeable
Service)
Essex and Hertfordshire
(will be arranged to suit
your needs)
Monday to Saturday
Drop in sessions
(Harlow)
Harlow Office
2 Wych Elm Harlow
CM20 1QT
Every Thursday
10 am—2 pm
English For Employment Skills
Harlow and Limes Farm
(see flyer page 2)
More details in page 2
Forthcoming trips and cultural events
Various venues
October –December
(See Page 7 and 9)
(More information on page
7 and 9)
Integration Support Services
Annual General Meeting
Health Resource Centre
Leisure Centre, Harlow
CM20 3DT
Family Support Drop In session
(Stanstead Mountfitchet)
Little Gosling Children Cen- Tuesday
tre, Great Dunmow, CM6
10 am—12 noon
1AZ
Registered Office: 2 Wych Elm Harlow CM20 1QP
Tel: 01279 639442
Friday 25th of October
2013
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iss.org.uk