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Hackney Refugee Forum (HRF) has won London Voluntary Service Council’s Success Stories competition to find 2008’s most inspiring stories from the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Part funded by the Community Empowerment Network, the work of HRF over the last eight years is testimony to the value of partnership working and information sharing across the voluntary and community sector (VCS) and with public sector colleagues. |
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Formed in 2000 to meet the needs of Hackney’s refugee, asylum seeker and migrant (RASM) communities when there was scant support from local statutory services, HRF became a constituted network of 60 organisations – RASM groups and service providers in May 2005. As well as influencing local services, HRF was involved in refreshing Hackney’s Local Area Agreement, established partnerships on domestic violence and mental health and supported the Turkish Educators Forum, who produced the first Turkish GCSE textbook for teachers.
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Founding Chair Ali-Riza Aksoy, left, shared the secret of their success: ‘We believe that by providing opportunities for learning from the experiences of refugees, we can raise awareness of issues, enable people to develop their well-being and take part in community life. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.’ |
Ali is a representative on the Mayor of London’s London Refugee Economic Action (LORECA) group. In April, HRF’s work with Hackney Council for Voluntary Service (HCVS) was heralded at City Hall as a winning formula. Jake Ferguson, Chief Executive of HCVS, congratulated Ali, ‘HRF is based with us, their work is invaluable to the VCS and public sector in advocating for the needs of Hackney’s communities.’
So, what next? Ali: ‘We still have much to do, our aim is to have a hub for our member organisations to share ideas and improve reach to those most in need.’
The next Forum meeting is on Friday, 14 November from 1.30pm to 3pm at HCVS, 84 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street London E8 2LY, to book call Ali on 020 7923 1962 or email ali@hcvs.org.uk
Hackney Refugee Forum will be presented with their award at the LVSC’s AGM on Wednesday, 12 November 2008.
 Click here to go back to Hackney Refugee Forum page
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