Community links helped by migrant volunteers

Leeds City Council held an event this week to acknowledge the achievements of a group of volunteers from different migrant backgrounds, who recently completed a 12-week course in helping others new to Leeds.

Nineteen representatives, originating from nine different countries and collectively speaking 20 different languages, took part in the Migrant Access Points training programme. They are the third group to have completed this training.

The training is delivered by an innovative partnership between Leeds City Council, Touchstone, NHS Leeds, Job Centre Plus, Feel Good Factor and Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau. It provides migrant volunteers with the skills to help newer migrants quickly adjust to life in Leeds by providing information on a range of essential services such as housing, employment, education, personal budgeting, health and wellbeing and social care.

The council’s chief executive, Tom Riordan, and James Rogers, assistant chief executive were there to congratulate the successful trainees, and Councillor Ghulam Hussain, equalities champion, presented them with their certificates.

Councillor Peter Gruen, deputy leader and executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing said:
“The most effective way of helping new migrants to understand how public services work is to help them to help themselves. It is easier for them and far more cost effective for us if people are directed to the right place, so they get the right service first time, than if they are passed from pillar to post.

“I would like to thank and congratulate the individuals who took part in this training programme and earned their certificates. At a time when funding is tight, these groups are finding innovative ways to continue to help people who really need it.”

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member with responsibility for adult health and social care said:
“Leeds has a rich multi-cultural heritage with new people regularly arriving from many different places, both within the UK and abroad. Many have no family links to the area and can find it very daunting to put down roots. The community links established by the Migrant Access Points project are a big help to people in this situation.

“The skills and knowledge that these volunteers have learned will ensure that migrants are helped to adapt quickly to life in Leeds.”

Dipti Bhatt is a migrant community organiser, and has a range of skills that she uses to help people in her local community as well as new migrants to Leeds. She said:
“As a migrant lawyer from India, I have volunteered in a law firm in Leeds, which has given me knowledge on law practice in England.

“The opportunity of attending the Migrant Community Organisers training programme complimented my experience and equipped me with skills and new contacts to signpost, advocate and support members of my community.

“My knowledge in Indian law and English law has been beneficial to those members of my community who are NRIs (Non Resident Indians). In addition I was able to bring this knowledge to the law firm I volunteered with sharing accurate information”

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk