A Kenyan woman who supports blind and disabled children and a Ugandan man who helps at a heart disease charity are among the many asylum seekers and refugees making a difference to the lives of people in Birmingham by volunteering through CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering charity. (Refugee Week 18-24 June 2007)

In Birmingham CSV Engage places asylum seekers as volunteers at local charities and community organisations across the city. By law, asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claim for asylum is being processed and volunteering is a way for them to show their willingness to contribute to British society when given the opportunity.

Nic Clark, CSV Engage Project Manager, says: “Our volunteers are really valued and have a real impact on the small charities that they support. By getting out and volunteering they are breaking down stereotypes, improving integration with the local community and improving their situation here in the UK.”

Case studies

Lucy, aged 38 and from Kenya, fled to the UK after her husband joined a sect which demanded that she was circumcised. Forced to leave behind her four children, she claimed asylum in the UK and is now living in Saltley, Birmingham. Since the beginning of the year Lucy has volunteered at three local charities through CSV Engage.

“At the Community Integration Partnership in Edgbaston, which supports refugee women, I help with administrative support. Volunteering there has really boosted my confidence. My English has improved, I’ve been on training courses and now know how to use all the office equipment. One day a week I also volunteer at the centre’s crèche, which is important as it gives refugee mothers the chance to take English classes or computer courses themselves. 

“I also volunteer at The Birmingham Focus on Blindness in Harbourne, and a Mencap youth club in Selly Oak. When I was in Kenya I didn’t really know anything about disabilities and my views have changed a lot. Now I see all children, disabled and able, as the same.

“Volunteering has been really important to me, before I was just sitting at home and worrying. Volunteering helps me cope with my life. I also think it is good for me to show the other side of what many people think about asylum seekers. I think it is good for more people to see us as a benefit to British society.”

Shain Akhtar, Lucy’s manager at Community Integration Partnership, says: “Lucy is very professional and does quality work for us. In the past few months her confidence has really improved. I think volunteering has improved her life in Birmingham and it has definitely put a smile on Lucy’s face.”
 
Emmanuel Kato, 34 and from Uganda, sought asylum in the UK after being accused of being a rebel by his government for joining an opposition party. Emmanuel has been in the UK for three years and now lives in Oldbury, Birmingham. He has been volunteering through CSV Engage at the Sheldon office of the British Heart Foundation for three months.

“I had tried to volunteer before, but until I went to CSV no one seemed interested in taking me on. At the British Heart Foundation I help the events team by sorting out letters and logging donations.

“Volunteering has been really helpful for me, especially in learning more about other cultures. To be honest British people have not treated me so well in the past few years. At one stage I was detained and illegally deported to Ethiopia. Through the good experiences I have had through volunteering I now realise that not every white person hates me.”

Amy Yapp from the British Heart Foundation’s events team says: “There have been massive changes in Emmanuel since he started volunteering with us. At first he was shy but now he speaks with everyone. He is also very helpful, thorough and hardworking. The charity really relies on the support of volunteers like him. He is an absolute star.”

- ends -

Further press information: Paul Donohoe 020 7812 0037 pdonohoe@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner 020 7812 0038 jtanner@csv.org.uk

Notes for Editors

1. Definitions

Refugee: A refugee is someone who has applied for asylum and has by law been granted refugee status.

Asylum seeker: An asylum seeker is someone who is waiting for their application to be recognised as a refugee to be considered by the Government.

2. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Last year 227,000 people gave 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 12,705 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk