CHAIR’S REPORT
I make no apologies for turning to President Barack Obama for assistance when writing this piece for the Newsletter, for any words I can construct will have limited impact alongside his. Talking in Athens shortly after the unspeakably tragic sinking of the Adriana fishing trawler off the coast of Greece last month, President Obama urged people to “think about the circumstances which lead desperate people to come here.” With these words in mind I am proud to be introducing a Newsletter that illustrates that RRN has in the past and continues to place an understanding of these circumstances at the core of everything it does.
I have written before about the inevitability of the growing need for assistance such as that which RRN provides. The significant numbers of Pakistanis on board the Adriana fleeing the joint impacts of an economic and climate crisis demonstrates that growing numbers of our world’s population will be driven to take unimaginable risks in the hope of finding a tolerable life elsewhere. In these circumstances we have had to look carefully at how the work we do will be funded going forward. It was with particular delight and relief therefore that we were able to welcome Andy Crowe and Richard Ainscow to the Board of Trustees. Andy to expand his contribution by adding fundraising responsibilities to his existing role as our Housing Officer and Richard to take on the role of ‘acting’ Treasurer from Anthony Thistleton-Smith in due course.
Many of you will be familiar with Andy as he has lost no time embracing his task of raising funds; starting with a highly successful Quiz Night in June. Details of his fundraising initiatives for the future are detailed below. Richard comes to us with a wealth of financial skills and experience after a long career as a Chartered Accountant, both in the private sector and for a not-for-profit organisation. Richard has had links with RRN for many years, having been involved in a project run by St John the Baptist Church in Rowland’s Castle called Mission Possible, this project worked with RRN to provide and support refugees in accommodation in the Havant area.
The Board of Trustees believes it is in a strong position now to support those that carry out the work that RRN does with such commitment and enthusiasm. I hope that you will enjoy reading this Newsletter and will share my delight in learning more about the projects that RRN has been running and supporting, none of which could be run without the support RRN receives from so many people, in so many different ways.
Anne Tutt, Chair
CEO’S REPORT
ESOL
RRN started 2023 with a generous grant from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF). The grant allowed RRN to expand ESOL provision (January to July) alongside employment support from the National Careers Service to Ukrainians in East Hampshire. Beginners’ and intermediate level classes were put on for thirty participants.
A few weeks ago we carried out a detailed evaluation of these classes. Kath and Milly led the evaluation with the aim of capturing feedback from the participants, specifically what the classes have meant to them, what they have learned and how RRN could improve the provision further. In summary, the classes have helped with building confidence in daily life as well as improving communication at work. At least 40% of the participants are now in some form of employment.
https://www.hiwcf.org.uk/case-
A special thank you for the continued support from St Laurence Church who donated the venue for the classes and to Hilary and Susanni for delivering another successful qualitative ESOL project that is making a real impact in helping Ukrainians to progress with their lives.
The full evaluation report will be available on RRN’s website in the coming weeks. If you would you like to be informed when the report is available please email Helen at hello@ruralrefugeenetwork.
In June RRN started ESOL provision in Havant for a small group of Ukrainians thanks to funding from Havant Borough Council and the course will run for seven weeks. Hilary Wright, ESOL teacher for the pre-beginner group says “The lessons include a wide variety of supplementary resources relevant to everyday life and other interactive activities and games, for example involving shopping baskets of food, money, maps of the local area and picture flash cards in English and Ukrainian. The lessons are supported by Yuliia, a Ukrainian English teacher, who is able to answer their questions, and explain to individual learners when they don’t understand. Learners in the group have made new friends, support each other and share information. They enjoy the classes and feel welcomed, nurtured and are beginning to communicate more confidently. The positive sense of wellbeing is clearly apparent as they laugh, try new words and phrases and ask many times for concepts to be explained without any feeling of anxiety”.
RRN is also discussing with the Havant South Downs College as to how to work together, particularly for refugees who might be on a waiting list. More to come on this in September.
Refugee Families
In April we welcomed a new Afghan family thanks to the support of a RRN supporter who purchased a property in the Havant area. The family is supported by Two Saints, RRN volunteer Clare Ensing, ESOL qualified volunteer teachers and Verity Spence, Community Team Volunteer who joined the RRN recently. Verity has a wealth of experience working with asylum seekers and refugees.
We have also welcomed another set of baby twins in a Syrian family! And a baby in another Syrian family. RRN assisted with equipping these families with the items they needed. Two families moved on to more permanent accommodation.
Our volunteers continue to support five Afghan families, particularly with 1:1 English ESOL support. We have also continued to provide grants for driving, especially to Afghan women.
In June, Alison Glasspool reached out to the RRN community for support to be provided to an asylum seeker who has been granted refugee status. Since then Vicky, Community Team volunteer and Susanni (ESOL volunteer) have been helping with tailored 1:1 support.
Youth Discovery Project
RRN secured further funding from the South Downs Youth Grant scheme. We were delighted to receive £2000 to continue our monthly outings, details of which are provided below. Bedales School has continued to offer a free minibus and driver for our outings, which has been invaluable. We are now planning our Autumn activities and will run a residential project at the Discovery Centre in Petersfield during half-term.
Education and Employment
A special mention and gratitude to the Eva Reckitt Trust for their ongoing generosity towards the RRN and our cause. Their £1000 grant will be used towards the RRN dedicated 1:1 bespoke Education and Employment Programme. This will match the interests and experience of participants to find work experience and local employment opportunities or investigate a new career pathway or college course. The focus is to develop language skills as well as the knowledge and confidence that the candidates need to begin to find employment.
Creative Art Project
Thanks to funding from East Hants Ukraine Team, RRN will be starting a pilot Creative Art project delivering six sessions. The Creative Art Group will be led by Iuliana Guddat and Susanne Irving, with support from volunteers Melania Gavanescu and Anita Gavanescu. This project is intended to be an open group for up to ten Ukrainian participants, meeting for 1 ½ hour sessions, twice a month on Saturdays. The purpose is to offer a space for social connection, where the attendees can get a sense of belonging. It aims to offer a chance to relate to others and to use creativity as a means of communicating.
Stakeholder Involvement
Hampshire Immigration Advice Partnership Group and Refugee Action Training Opportunities
RRN have been collaborating with Refugee Action, other voluntary organisations and solicitors’ firms from across Hampshire to improve access to quality immigration advice. Refugee Action’s Good Practice and Partnerships Team also offers free online Good Practice and Boundaries Training for non-immigration advisors: find out more and book or sign up here to receive updates on the rolling programme of opportunities.
Nadia Potts, CEO
FUNDRAISING AND HOUSING
Andy Crowe, Fundraising and Housing Trustee
I am delighted to be the new Fundraising Trustee of RRN. It brings me back to East Hampshire, where from 1987 to 2001 I helped manage the housing service; setting up places like Ramscote, developing a wide range of supported housing and 400 new homes. I have great memories of working with an excellent team. Now retired 22 years later, I have returned to this area via London, St Helena and Montserrat.
The Art Show will remain our biggest fundraiser, but regular smaller events like the Sponsored Walk, Cake Stand and Quiz will also help to support RRN’s essential work.
I would like to add a charity bike ride to RRN’s fundraising calendar. Cycling is so popular these days and it would be really good to find a group of local cyclists wanting to raise money by taking part in an event such as the London 100 or Isle of Wight Randonee. If we have interested cyclists who have the time and required fitness level we could organise a REALLY ambitious ride! So do please dust down your Raleighs and find a friend for a day (or days) to remember! Let me know if you are interested.
Most of all we need the generosity of home owners willing to let their homes to refugees, without which our work could not be done. Once again we are appealing for a home that can be offered to a family that has lost everything.
Andy can be contacted on housing@
Emily Mott Duncannon, Trustee
RRN trustees and volunteers joined forces on June 10th and 11th at Lordington House Open Gardens. Many thanks to Audrey and John Hamilton who invited us to run the tea and cake stall and all the lovely people who supported us by baking and buying. There was a beautiful array of cakes throughout the weekend and we raised £615. But more importantly, it was an opportunity for public outreach. Kath and Kay did a splendid job describing what we do to those attending. Thank you Alina, Kerry, Anna, Daphne and Will for your help! The gardens were at their peak in the most glorious setting. We are looking forward to a return in 2024 and will be discussing other opportunities to share cake and stories at community events in future. If anyone has suggestions, please do get in touch.
Kath Lawrence, Trustee
South Downs Youth Discovery Project
Six young people on RRN’s South Downs Youth Discovery Project enjoyed an informative boat trip together in Portsmouth Harbour and an afternoon learning about maritime heritage at the Portsmouth Dockyards on Saturday 17th June. They particularly enjoyed the Mary Rose Museum with its hands-on activities and learnt a lot about the lives of sailors on HMS Victory.
The Petersfield School
RRN worked with TPS to run workshops, led by RRN volunteers and ex-TPS pupils Milly Jonas and Ed Lawrence, for year 8 students on 22nd June. The workshops helped TPS students think about, understand, and empathise with the experiences of refugees, particularly children. Having reflected with kindness and thoughtfulness on this year’s refugee week theme of compassion, students came up with ideas for turning compassion into action.
